Rock songwriters from the past era impart wisdom on the path to success and adversity in a well-attended UCLA course
The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music is offering a one-of-a-kind course titled "Songwriters on Songwriting," taught by award-winning filmmaker-biographer David Leaf. This class focuses on improving songwriting skills, with guests including seven members of the Songwriters Hall of Fame, three Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees, Grammy Award winners, and other renowned and contemporary songwriters.
David Leaf, known for his extensive career spanning over 30 years, believes that a great piece of music or song evokes feelings and has a strong melody that sticks with the listener. He emphasizes the importance of understanding music history to prepare aspiring songwriters to write great music.
Leaf's class is more than just a learning experience; it's a source of inspiration and motivation for students. They describe it as unique, inspiring, and a valuable contribution to American cultural history. The course aims to teach students that people of different backgrounds achieved their dreams by never giving up on them.
Leaf identifies devotion, dedication, discipline, and determination as essential qualities for turning someone who loves music into a professional music maker. He encourages students to play their music, find peers to sing or perform their songs, and submit their songs to music publishers, artist managers, and anyone who books music to get the public and industry's attention.
However, Leaf acknowledges that getting songs in front of the public today is easy with the internet, but attracting attention remains a challenge. He stresses the importance of work ethic, as exemplified by his guests, who have spent a "life in song," devoted to making music that reaches people.
Notable guests include Jon Platt, CEO of Warner/Chappell Music, who emphasizes the importance of work ethic in achieving success. Students can also gain insights by examining the work and lives of other guests like Burt Bacharach, Mike Posner, Barry Mann, Cynthia Weil, and more.
It's important to note that while the class does not guarantee to make a student a better songwriter, it aims to inspire students to pursue their individual dreams and passions. Today's students are encouraged to double their audience every month to potentially reach millions within three years.
The "Songwriters on Songwriting" course at UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music is more than just a class; it's a journey into the lives of music legends, a chance to learn from the best, and a stepping stone towards a career in the music industry.
This course at the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music, titled "Songwriters on Songwriting," is designed to foster personal growth and self-development by providing a unique opportunity for learning from renowned and contemporary songwriters. By immersing themselves in this educational-and-self-development experience, aspiring songwriters can gain insights into the lives and work of music legends, ultimately inspiring their own personal growth and potential success in the music industry.
David Leaf, the instructor, emphasizes that mastering songwriting skills requires dedication, discipline, and determination, alongside understanding music history, establishing oneself within the industry, and showcasing one's work effectively to attract attention. This learning process is not only about acquiring knowledge, but also about inspiring students to pursue their dreams and make a life in song.
