Songwriting Lessons - crafting a song (Collaboration also possible)

From 76 C$ /h

I can help you craft a song.
If you’re a curious beginner, a seasoned artist or simply looking to write a unique song - get in touch!

'making music that makes the world a better place' indiebandblog

My name is Nigel and I’ve been writing, performing, and recording songs for 30 years, in many different genres.
If you’re a beginner to songwriting, a seasoned artist or simply looking to write a unique song for that special person, I can help and enable you to discover, write and play the songs that are inside you. It’s a fun and extremely rewarding journey!
I can offer online (during Covid) songwriting tutorials :
● A package of six online* sessions - from the germ of an idea to a finished song
● Individual requirements/one-off session - assistance with writer’s block, collaboration, chords, etc

* I also offer a service as a song collaborator, unpaid - based on songwriting credits *
- ask for details!

Lessons are via Skype/Zoom* (I am based in Mechelen)
In English (my native tongue) or Dutch
*until post-Corona

Extra information

Lessons via Zoom (during Covid regulations) and bring a favorite instrument, guitar, keyboard, ukulele?

Location

Online from Belgium

About Me

My name is Nigel and I'm an English guy living in Belgium.

I've been writing and performing songs for 30 years, in a variety of bands/line-ups and in varying genres, the the UK and Belgium.
Music and writing is my life’s passion and I am fascinated by the craft of songwriting. As well as my experience as a musician, singer and songwriter, I have taught guitar (one-on-one), organised a monthly Songwriters Circle and ran two successful Open Mics. From these I learned a lot about encouraging new talent, how other people approach songwriting and also the art of performance - essential tools for any aspiring songwriter.
In Belgium I’ve fronted several bands and worked as a lyricist for Warner Bros Music, a valuable insight into collaborating with other people and arranging songs. I am still writing and performing in Belgium and began organising a monthly Open Mic at De Floeren Aap in Mechelen (currently postponed due to Covid);
I have a thorough knowledge of chords, song structures and playing guitar, so if you require any assistance with learning guitar, I can help you with that also.
My songs have been played on BBC Radio 6, BBC Radio 1, BBC Radio Lancashire, Amazing Radio, Unpeeled.net, Folk Radio UK, Dandelion Radio, Beyond Radio, Studio Brussels, Radio Centraal and Sky TV.

'indie-folk at its best...' Folk Radio UK
'Blissfully wonderful music' Beehive Candy

Education

BSc (Hons) Environmental Studies, University of Hertfordshire
Lancaster Royal Grammar School
Currently following a one year course with The Songwriting Academy, London

Experience / Qualifications

Thirty years writing, performing and recording my own songs, teaching guitar, organising Open Mics and Songwriters Circles.
Signed to Nub Music and songs published by Sentric Music.
Collaborating with other artists, including for Warners Belgium.

Age

Teenagers (13-17 years old)

Adults (18-64 years old)

Seniors (65+ years old)

Student level

Beginner

Intermediate

Advanced

Duration

60 minutes

The class is taught in

English

Dutch

Skills

Guitar

Acoustic

Folk

Pop

Song writing

Music composition

Availability of a typical week

(GMT -04:00)

New York

Online via webcam

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

Sun

00-04

04-08

08-12

12-16

16-20

20-24

Lou-Indigo

4.87

(87)

The course that I propose is BILINGUAL FRENCH / ENGLISH, as well as 2 BOOKS.

Age and musical taste are not restrictive when in the program, you can with qualitative daily work (not quantitative) quickly observe your progress.

Here the pleasure of playing music is put forward.

The kind of music you love most will be the focus of the course, their codes and secrets will be the focus of our study, that's what I want to share with you.

We can do technical lessons and simply learn together how to play one or more songs of your choice or mine, enrich your game with this approach and your repertoire!

(For example, We can re-arrange the pieces and make them more original by approaching the system (CAGED), and enriching their chords, resulting in new positions, new techniques and new sounds, using arpeggio techniques rather than strumming for 4-chord pieces, voicing and fingerstyle techniques, in short, expanding the instrument's playing fields and playing skills to keep progressing in your game and improve your rehearsals ...)

If you make a request, this program is obviously accompanied by the pleasure of learning more in theory and being able to directly apply new knowledge on its instrument and identify its common or rare use in the pieces discussed in class.

In this case, the theory is translated to be accessible to anyone, both for those who are connoisseurs and for those who discover everything from absolute zero.
The exercises, songs, and theoretical explanations offered throughout the program are organized in an order of progressive difficulty.

I wrote and produced 2 books of my method to learn the guitar and the music, that I sell to accompany my course and your apprenticeship in the best conditions and so that you can continue the course even at home and to review etc ... .
There is ONE BOOK OF COURSES containing all the theoretical and practical program of the year, as well as a BOOK OF EXERCISE on the ranges and the modes that you can obtain directly.

You can find here an indicative list of objectives that I propose in my theoretical program, which can of course adapt to your request.

The general theoretical objectives of the course:

--- Tuning / tuning and knowing his guitar:
* Standard Tuning
* Drop Tuning
* Open Tuning
* Adjust the optimal tension of the strings
* Adjust the shaft axis
* Adjust the action of the strings
* Choose the strings adapted to the style of play / tuning
* Change his strings

-Know his chords:
* Triads: Fundamental State & Inversions
* Tetrads: Fundamental State & Inversions
* The chord progressions of the Range
* Arpeggio techniques (tapping, sweep, 1/2/4 fing.shape, etc ...)

--- Know his scales and his modes

* The Mode of the Major scale
* 3 Modes of the Minor scale: Natural / Melodic / Harmonic
* Modes of the Pentatonic range: 5 positions
* Modes of the Blues range: 5 positions
Etc ...

--- Technique to the Pick / Plectrum / Tab / Pick (Electric Guitar):
* Alternate Picking
* Fast Picking / Tremolo Picking
* Hybrid Picking
* Palm Mute
* Natural Harmonics
* Pinch Harmonics
* Artificial Harmonics
* Shredding
* Tapping
* Sweep Picking
* Legato Picking

--- Strumming / Hand Picking (Acoustic Guitar)
* "SnareDrum" percussion on the guitar
* Arpeggios pinched with 4 fingers + thumb
* Rasgueado (Flamenco Technique)
* Generic Strumming
* Fingerstyle Picking
* Two-finger picking + Legato for fast melodies (eg a solo)

-Play the metronome
* exercises on click
* practice on song riffs

-Learn his favorite songs
* without thinking about the difficulty, nothing is impossible with the right methodology

-Improvise
* choose ranges and positions
* to place oneself rhythmically, to finish on the judicious notes

-Theory of Harmony
* Understand harmonization and its practice

-Theory on the Melody

-Theory of Rhythm

Evelyn

4.87

(87)

Graduated Argentine musician (National University of the Arts, Buenos Aires) offers personalized music composition courses for all levels and ages. Method adapted to the student's interests. More than 10 years of experience in teaching music. Course: Spanish, English, French

Frederic

4.87

(87)

A graduate of the Jazz and Classical Conservatory, teaches guitar and bass.

Working method (10 years of experience)

All styles combined (classical, folk, rock, blues, backing guitar, etc.)

Accessible to all levels

Program adapted to the student and to his desires (with or without music theory, composition, technique, reading of scores, rhythm, solos, sound work ...)

Every 10 lessons there is an ensemble lesson to practice what you have learned.

New formula possibility of learning directly in a group, band's coaching

For the little ones (3 to 5 years old), an adapted training and price

Ashlin

4.87

(87)

Guitar, Violin, Ukulele, Piano is a world of fun. Join with me to play, experience And explore your Favourite Songs. I have More than 14 years of experience in Guitar,Violin, piano and in Ukulele. And Im having 5years+ experience in teaching Online. I can make your Instrumental learning in an easier way. The method I follow is easier to understand.
Let's see in class.

Jeremy

4.87

(87)

Hi, my name is Jeremy and I've played music for 19 years, having performed over 200 concerts and composed with a wide variety of groups and ensembles across England and Belgium in many genres (Funk, R&B, Soul, Jazz, Rock, Alternative, Punk and more). I have completed 3 years of intensive bass study at the Royal Conservatory of Brussels and am currently playing bass plus backing-vocals and song arrangement for Kids of the Elephant and Arrubio.

In these lessons, I will help you reach your goals while having fun in the process, keeping the lessons structured and tailored to your personal needs. I have 5 years of experience helping students improve as well as specialist knowledge in a multitude of styles. Some examples of what you might learn include:

- Correct hand positioning & posture for best performance and faster learning.
- Learning your favorite songs quickly and easily.
- Breaking down rhythms & dynamics
- Understanding the role of bass playing in a band.
- Understanding what makes a good bassline and composing your own.
- Essential music theory for bass & more advanced techniques (eg: melodic techniques, rhythmic, slap bass, etc)
- How to improvise, jam and play with other musicians.

Appropriate homework/exercises and recordings are provided during lessons. I also like to give advice and direction for people with musical aspirations. I'm also an empathetic person that loves teaching, so don't hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions.

Mary

4.87

(87)

Welcome to the music class!

Here, we are gonna discover the wonders of learning an instrument. From reading note letters, implementing a proper form to sight reading a piece, we are gonna learn in our own pace. If you're just learning music now and it feels like there's a lot to understand, don't worry we're gonna start from the basics. I will help you understand music and its elements.

With your dedication and my guidance, I'm positive that we will get a good result!

Martin

4.87

(87)

In my class you learn how to play the guitar either finger style or with a pick (plectrum).
First, you learn the basics, if this is what you need. Then you learn about styles and ways of playing the guitar.
Consequently, you learn how to develop your own style in music and find ways of making yourself and others happy with the means of your guitar!

You also learn how purchase the right guitar and how to set it up for you to be comfortable with.

You save your money on a luthier's shop every month.

You learn the smartest fingerings for any chord changes and scales!

You get to learn the theory in detail so that you fully understand what you play.

You get best deals on guitars from local music stores.

You get to learn how to sightread music and more!

See you soon!
Martin

Taryna

4.87

(87)

My guitar lessons are designed to make learning guitar fun and rewarding. I break down new concepts into simple, easy-to-understand steps, so students can build their skills and confidence without feeling overwhelmed.

From your very first lesson, you’ll start learning a real song! I teach the fundamentals of guitar through carefully selected songs, giving you the opportunity to start making music right away. Once you’ve learned the basics, you get to choose songs you actually want to play, and we use those songs to continue building your skills and expanding what you can do on the guitar. I believe learning guitar is much more enjoyable when you get to play the music you listen to and love. Whether you’re a complete beginner or already have some experience, I’ll help you develop the skills you need while keeping lessons fun and motivating. No prior experience is needed—just bring your enthusiasm and a love for music!

I’m excited to help you begin (or continue) your musical journey!

Steve

4.87

(87)

Composing your own music has always been a very rewarding task. This has never been so true as the present day when you can hear what you compose instantly if you use computers to generate and play back your own music. However, to ensure that your music sounds really great (whether using computers, manuscript or actual instruments) there are many principles to be considered.

I have had a great interest in composing for over 45 years. I have composed for various combinations of instruments and voices in a wide variety of styles. Having been a music teacher in a comprehensive school for over 30 years, I have had a lot of very relevant experience in teaching composition to a wide range of different ages and abilities. These opportunities have enabled me to tutor students in a diverse variety of genres.

The class will be personalized to your particular standard and chosen style of composition. We would focus on generic building blocks such as structure and instrumentation as well as looking at how to develop ideas. Using a range of compositional devices will also be key to enhancing your compositions. I will tailor-make the class to suit you.

José

4.87

(87)

Classical and flamenco guitar lessons are offered, as well as music education, guitar theory, and flamenco accompaniment. Private lessons are available for beginners and advanced students. Preparation of guitar pieces, advanced techniques, and more are also offered.

Brent

4.87

(87)

Do you have trouble reading music? Do you love listening to music, but don't understand time signatures, keys or chords? Music theory often sounds abstract, but with the right explanation and concrete examples it suddenly becomes a lot more logical, and even fun :)

For whom?
- Beginner or advanced musicians who want to better understand what they are doing.
- Students preparing for music theory exams (e.g. music school, entrance exams).
- Independent artists/producers who want to deepen their musical knowledge.
- Anyone who is curious about the language behind music.

What can you expect?
- Clear explanation, at your own pace.
- Theory made immediately applicable with examples on the piano.
- Extra attention to insight instead of learning dry rules by heart.
- Tutoring fully tailored to your level and goal (classical, pop, songwriting, production, ...).

About me
I obtained a Grade 8 diploma in Music Theory and also a Grade 8 Piano from the Royal Schools of Music. In addition, I hold a diploma in Audio Engineering from Hofa College. I am active as a music artist and producer myself. Thanks to this combination of classical training and practical experience, I know how important it is to make theory understandable, concrete, and musical. I use my own piano during lessons to clarify everything visually and audibly.

Possible topics:
- Learn to read music.
- Scales, chords & harmony.
- Form and analysis (classical, jazz or pop).
- Rhythm, time signatures & tempo.
- Music theory for producers/songwriters.
- Songwriting.
- Preparation for exams or entrance tests.

Practical
- 1-on-1 lessons, online or live (if you don't live too far away).
- I provide materials, or we work with what you need.
- No prior knowledge required. Lessons adapted to your level.

🎶 Feel free to send me a message with your questions or goals. We'll see how I can best help you.

Lucy

4.87

(87)

For artists, songwriters, and creatives ready to shape their vision.

Are you working on your own songs and feeling stuck?
Do you have a head full of ideas but struggle to bring them together into one clear artistic story?
Or maybe you’ve already created something you're proud of, but you want to take it further — deeper, bolder, more you.

I'm here to help you connect the dots.

As a singer, songwriter, producer and creative director working on my own debut album, I know how overwhelming the creative process can feel. There’s so much more to being an artist than just making music. Your sound, your visuals, your story, your live performance — it’s all connected. That’s where I come in.

In our sessions, we can explore whatever part of your creative world needs support:

🎵 Songwriting – melody, lyrics, structure, harmony
🎧 Production Direction – from early sketches to refined ideas
🌙 Artistic Identity – visual storytelling, aesthetics, branding
🎤 Performance & Presence – connecting with your audience
💡 Creative Strategy – organizing ideas and unlocking new ones
🌀 Intuitive Guidance – sometimes you just need a sounding board

You don’t have to do this alone.

Whether you're a beginner or a more advanced artist, we’ll work with what’s already inside you — your instincts, your taste, your questions. Sessions are fully personalized and can be a one-time deep dive or part of a longer creative journey together.

Alper

4.87

(87)

Hello! I am a professional music educator with 16 years of experience dedicated to making music an indispensable part of life rather than just a lesson. Throughout my career, I have mentored over 1,000 students individually, guiding hundreds of them to successfully enter Conservatories and Fine Arts High Schools. 🏆

My philosophy is simple: Music is loved first, then learned. I prioritize building a deep connection between the student and their instrument. Whether you want to master the Piano, Violin, Guitar, or Oud, I offer a holistic approach that combines technical skill, ear training, and rhythm development.

I don’t believe in rote memorization. My teaching system is based on logic and understanding the "mathematics" of music. By simplifying complex music theory and "Makam" knowledge into practical and engaging methods, I ensure my students reach a stage-ready level in as little as one year. 🎼

In my online studio, I provide a high-quality learning experience using multi-camera angles and professional sound setups that rival face-to-face lessons. Whether you are a preschooler, a young aspiring artist, or an adult beginner, I create personalized, goal-oriented roadmaps to help you reach your musical dreams. 🌍

Let’s start this journey together and build a solid foundation that lasts a lifetime

Andrea

4.87

(87)

Do you need help preparing for the entrance exams for Intermediate or Advanced Level Jazz courses? Or are you looking for extra support in your modern music studies?
I'm Andrea, a specialized teacher with over 10 years of teaching experience. I offer:
– Intensive preparation for the theoretical part of entrance exams for intermediate and advanced levels of jazz and modern music
– Reinforcement in subjects such as musical language, modern harmony, arranging and composition
– Practical classes from day one, tailored to your needs
– Teaching materials and personalized follow-up with a teaching platform
My approach combines academic rigor with a relaxed atmosphere. I firmly believe that you can learn seriously without losing your passion for music. We will work on:
– The repertoire you need to master for your exams
– Harmonic and melodic analysis of standards, modern songs, large ensembles, etc. Or any style you need, 100% adaptability :)
– Development of musical ear
– Composition and arrangement techniques
– All from a practical and applied perspective.
If you're looking for a teacher who combines experience, professionalism, and a personal touch, I'd be delighted to help you on your musical journey. Don't hesitate to contact me for more information or to schedule your first lesson.
Availability for face-to-face classes in Barcelona and online.

If you like this approach, write to me! Learning music is an exciting journey, and I'd love to be your guide :)

Important! I combine classes with concerts and various musical projects. I appreciate occasional flexibility to reschedule (only when strictly necessary).

The schedule is for summer; it changes during the school year.

Misso

4.87

(87)

🎵 دروس موسيقى أونلاين لجميع الأعمار والمستويات

هل تحب الموسيقى وترغب في تعلم العزف أو الغناء بطريقة سهلة وممتعة؟ 🎶
أقدّم دروسًا فردية عبر الإنترنت، مناسبة للأطفال والمبتدئين وحتى لمن لديهم خبرة سابقة.

🎹 الآلات الموسيقية:

- البيانو والكيبورد
- العود
- الغيتار الكلاسيكي

🎤 الغناء:

- الغناء العربي والشرقي
- تمارين الصوت والتنفس والإحماء الصوتي
- تعلم أغاني عربية وشرقية بطريقة مناسبة لمستوى الطالب

📚 كما أقدّم دروسًا في:

- النظريات الموسيقية
- قراءة النوتة
- تدريب الأذن الموسيقية
- الإيقاع والأساسيات الموسيقية

أحرص على أن تكون الدروس بسيطة وتدريجية وممتعة، مع تكييف المحتوى حسب عمر الطالب ومستواه وأهدافه.

👩‍🏫 لدي خبرة في تدريس الموسيقى للأطفال والكبار، وأهتم بشكل خاص بجعل الطالب يشعر بالراحة والثقة أثناء التعلم.

💻 الدروس أونلاين فقط عبر Zoom أو Google Meet.

🗣️ لغة التدريس: العربية والإنجليزية.

🎶 سواء كنت تبدأ من الصفر أو ترغب في تطوير مهاراتك، يسعدني أن أساعدك في رحلتك الموسيقية!