Songwriter's Lab

Overview

We’ve all had that experience of having this tune stuck in our heads, and we just can’t get rid of it. Have you wondered how these tunes get so “catchy?” The vocal cord is the only instrument we are all born with, and we naturally vocalize (either out loud or just in our head) tunes, making songs one of the most direct and popular musical forms. But a “catchy tune” has so much more to it than being “just a tune.” And the secret lies in the craft of songwriting – the form, the choice of instruments, the rhythmic pattern, and much more. 

This workshop is all about the craft of songwriting. Throughout the workshop, students will write and present four original songs over the eight weeks, using a series of standard song forms: twelve bar blues, 32-bar AABA, verse-chorus, and loop-based groove. For each form, we will listen to and discuss examples from different styles and eras. Students will then write a song using that form, and present it for discussion and critique from the instructor and their peers. The purpose of these critiques is not to assess whether the songs are “good” or “bad”, but rather to take a growth mindset: given the songwriter’s aesthetic goals, what steps could they take to move the song closer to those goals?

Through the workshop, students will

• Craft 4 original songs under the guidance of musician and educator Ethan Hein
• Receive professional and peer feedback within a friendly and supportive community.
• Hear an original song of their choice on the Synthase 2025 Summer Music Showcase

Dates and Format

• The workshop runs from June 14 to August 9, 2025 (Fourth of July weekend off)
• We will meet once a week for three hours over Zoom. Meetings will be scheduled on Saturdays 3-6pm, Eastern.

Registration first come first serve, only 30 spots available.

Tuition

• $500 due at registration
• Payment plan available at no additional cost
• Synapse Alumni are eligible for a 10% discount.