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SongCraft Hit Songwriting

SongCraft Hit Songwriting

SongCraft: Ultimate Hit Songwriting Course
Los Angeles & Live Online
Struggling with songwriting despite books and online tutorials? Our 60-hour SongCraft Hit Songwriting and Vocal Production course, led by Billboard chart-topping writers, reveals insider techniques to unlock your hitmaking potential. Graduate with release-ready hits for your artist project, label placements, or music libraries. Shine at our Songwriter Concert in the Mandarin Lounge, performing for industry pros, friends, and family.

 

 

Who is this course for?

  • Aspiring Artists & Songwriters who wishes to create and release their own original music and perform live
  • Producers & DJs looking to learn the secrets to crafting memorable melodies, authentic lyrics and collaborating efficiently with topliners
  • Musicians aiming to have creative control over their music brand and receive formal training from chart-topping hitmakers
  • Anyone looking to learn about music publishing, copyright laws, song pitching, licensing and be part of our songwriting community

 

Apply Now

Course Highlights
• 60 hours of world-class training in Hit Songwriting, Vocal Production, Arrangement and Vocal Mixing.
• Billboard chart-topping instructors teach in limited size focused class (max 8 students)
• Track Critique & Promo Strategy Session with Industry Experts
• Songwriter Concert to showcase your release ready hits upon graduation.
• Free sample libraries & discounted software from our partners like Arturia.

Prerequisites
Laptop with your choice of DAW and operational knowledge. Click for links to buy Ableton Live and Logic Pro.

If not, join our Ableton Live or Logic Pro courses as part of SongCraft Production Program. This class is also included in our comprehensive LA Music Production Academy

Contact us if you have any questions.

Meet Instructor Baddluck
Artist Showcase: Elena Coats

Why choose SongCraft Hit Songwriting Course at Garnish?

60 Hours

$2899 Tuition + $200 Registration Fee

(10 % off Early Bird Special $310 discount if booked 14 days before start!)

Get in touch and our placement experts will follow up with information.

For one-to-one lessons, connect with us on Private Instruction

Schedule and Book 

Meet Our World-Class Instructors

Our instructor roster ranges from Multi-Platinum Songwriters and Producers to rising LA Hitmakers and Artists.

You can also learn 1-on-1 in Focus Hours

 

Book 1-on-1 Focus Hours

SongCraft Hit Songwriting & Vocal Production Syllabus

Overview

SongCraft Hit Songwriting Course Overview:

  • Analysis: Hit records across genres and decades.
  • Master melody and lyric techniques and crafting your own future hits with expert guidance.
  • Develop Vocal production skills and record in state-of-the-art studios, collaborating with classmates in Song Labs.
  • Tune, edit, and mix vocals with creative effects to produce release-ready songs.
  • SongSplits, Publishing, Master Ownership, Sync, and Music Business essentials.
  • Presenting songs to Label A&Rs and Artist Managers for feedback and tailored release strategies.

Songwriting: Melody and Lyrics

  • Foundations: Songwriting essentials, common chord progressions, and different songwriting styles for various genres.
  • Lyrics: Write evocative lyrics that emotionally resonate with listeners.
  • Melody & Harmony: Curating captivating melodies and harmonies to make songs unforgettable. Deep dive into melodic math, hits & hitmakers.
  • Song Structure: Master song structures like verse-chorus-bridge and hook-drop for dynamic compositions with a sense of progression and intrigue.
  • Music Theory: Master key music theory concepts to formulate cohesive ideas and also push the envelope and experiment.
  • Inspiration and Creativity: Exercises and techniques to boost creativity and overcome writer’s block.

Recording, Vocal Arrangement, Vocal Production and Mixing

  • Songwriting & Track Synergy: Top-line writing using improvised melodies over a track to enhance your song’s emotional impact and synergy with the track.
  • Studio Life: Mastering studio etiquette and techniques for capturing top performances. Communication is key between artists, singers, writers, producers and engineers.
  • Setup Fundamentals: Industry-standard DAWs, mic selection, preamps and outboard gear. Understanding both pro and home studios to create hits on any budget.
  • Recording Techniques: Gain staging, latency, headphone monitoring, and vocal chain setup in your DAW.
  • Processing: Compression, EQ and Reverb settings for Vocals.
  • Studio Vocal Techniques: Boosting vocal performances with expert tips on vocal tone and style. Must have knowledge for writer-producers.
  • Vocal Production: Creating Doubles,Harmonies, Adlibs and other vocal parts. Comping takes and applying creative effects for pro-level vocals.
  • Vocal Arrangement: Create dynamic vocal parts with pads, chants etc across sections.
  • Voice as Instrument: Use vocoders and formant plugins for unique vocal sounds.
  • Common Vocal Plugins: Auto Tune and Melodyne.
  • Vocal Mixing: Achieving release-ready songs with polished vocal mixes and automation.

Feedback and Music Business

  • Collaboration: Hone co-writing skills with peers recreating a major-label songwriting camp atmosphere
  • Feedback: Get weekly constructive critiques from industry veterans to build strong habits.
  • Music Marketplace: Learn copyright and publishing to protect and release your work.
  • Entrepreneurship: Discuss branding, pitching, licensing and other revenue generation strategies for your music in the SongCraft Hit Songwriting program.

Song Labs in Studio A

Song Labs in our pro studios with hands-on guidance and feedback surpass all online tutorials.

STUDIO A GEAR LIST

  • Studio set up- Pro Tools HDX with Apogee Dual Set up
  • DAWs- ProTools Ultimate, Ableton Live Suite, Logic Pro
  • Convertor- Lynx Aurora 8
  • Speakers- Adam S3V with Adam Sub 12, Yamaha NS10s with Bryston 4B Amp
  • Monitor Control- Dangerous D Box
  • Microphone- Manley Reference Cardioid, Shure SM57s
  • Pre Amps- Chandler Limited TG2, Heritage Audio 1073
  • Reverb- Bricasti Design M7
  • Compressors- Teletronix LA2A, Urei (Universal Audio) 1176, SSL XLogic G-series Compressor, Empirical Labs EL-8 Distressor
  • Piano- Yamaha U3
  • Synthesizers & Drum Machines- Roland Juno 60 (with MIDI), Juno 106, JX3P, Sequential Prophet Rev 2, Mellotron M4000D, Korg MS20, Triton Studio, Moog Subphatty, Yamaha DX7, YS200, Behringer Poly D, RD-8, Edge, Neutron, Arturia Matrix Brute
  • Universal Audio Satellite

Listening Session

  • In listening sessions present your songs to Artist/Producer Managers and label A&Rs.
  • Refine your music based on their expert suggestions.
  • Share your musical goals and develop a tailored release strategy with their guidance.

Songwriter Showcase Concert

  • Showcase at our Mandarin Lounge: Perform original songs created during the course. Solo or with artist friends and singing is not-required from the songwriter. 
  • Professional Equipment Provided: Access an 88-key weighted controller, laptop with DAW and backing tracks, guitar amp, projector, and PA system for your performance.
  • Invite Guests: Share your SongCraft Hit Songwriting experience with family and friends.
  • High-Quality Recording: Receive professional live video and audio recordings by our video crew, ideal for social media, EPKs, and brand promotion.
  • Ongoing Community: Stay connected with our songwriting community and continue creating with your peers.

Music Technology & Business are constantly evolving. Our curriculums are routinely updated to give you the best experience.

Our Students Say. . .

 

“Everything went really well in Ibiza this
time and I had so much fun! I am so
glad you taught me, you’re the best
xoxo”

Paris Hilton
Garnish DJ Program

I wouldn't change a thing about this course. It was ten times better than I expected it to be. The instructor was incredibly informative and kept things fun. I've played with software for a couple of years and thought I got most of the basics down but I definitely was wrong. Great course! I would definitely recommend this course to anybody wanting to learn the production side of music. It was incredibly helpful and left me inspired to make tracks 24/7.

Kristina Bialkowski

I went from knowing pretty much nothing about Logic to knowing how to built loops, work with midi, mix, and actually be able to record the music I write and and arrange on the computer. I'm really excited because Logic Pro X has opened up a new world for me as a singer songwriter!

Dawn Red Sun

I am a lot better off than I was months ago blindly watching Youtube tutorials and not knowing what I was doing. The teacher was a great, very patient and understanding, with all skill levels in the room.

Abraham Perrotta

The small class size allowed the instructor time to give us individual attention/feedback. The teaching style was easily adjusted according to the levels in the class. As a very new producer, I never felt left behind. I never would have thought I could make this much progress in just 6 weeks!

Andie Arbogast

This class was great. I've been wanting to learn digital music production and was warned that Logic was one of the most complex and difficult to learn DAW. In only 6 days I think I've learned the program well enough to start producing my own tracks. Not only that but I've left the class with enough excitement to get busy and make some music with my new found knowledge.

Paul Vachier

It was very hands on. the teacher knew a vast amount about this topic and is very informative and clear. He has methods of utilizing teachings that enable us to relate to better understand in what circumstances these methods would be used for productions.

Raymond Casarez

This class was tough for me, as I'm a beginner (and am 48 with not a ton of technical or DAW experience). I wanted to immerse myself, so I could learn as much as possible, but much of the class was still a bit too advanced for me. Darren was fantastic, and I REALLY appreciated the offer to come back and stand in future classes. That makes me feel like I'll definitely get my moneys worth!

William 'John' Bragg

I came into the program with no idea how to work Logic, and after the intensive week, I worked out programming beats, using loops and samples…I feel like I can take my music to the next level now. Thanks 🙂

Christy Thompson

Great teacher who leaves no stone unturned! After Garnish, I feel that I have the tools to build a strong foundation and begin a career in the music industry.

Daniel Cobos

Contact Admissions

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    Student Testimonial- James Salazar
    More Testimonials

    My songs that were already finished were improved significantly, when I didn't think there was much room to improve. My writing ability and originality also increased. Casey is patient, but also honest, and it's exactly what I needed to get my music to another level. She was always open to hear original songs and give feedback, and was very good with answering questions even if they were asked more than once. If I could take the course myself again I totally would.

    Evan Frazer

    Learned about song structure theoretically, but also about how to implement it. We saw what a songwriting session looks like, and how to get past obstacles that are common to those types of creative marathons.

    Michael Wiener

    I would recommend this course to my friends that love music and creating their own songs. I definitely have learnt so much and loved everything about it.

    Brianna O'Connor

    Contact Admissions

    SongCraft Hit Songwriting Blog