Songwriter Circle

Every songwriter needs a sounding board, someone who will listen to works in progress—still rough around the edges and not yet ready for the public—and respond thoughtfully, honestly, constructively.

Listeners like this help you get a sense of how, or whether, your words and music communicate with others. Does the feeling that you are trying to evoke come through? Is the story clear? Is the song repetitious…too long in some spots…too short in others? Does it need another section? Where is the song’s heart?

The Songwriter Circle is an online community that provides this kind of invaluable feedback. I’ve led and participated in groups like this for decades, and discussions of songs in progress are at the core of my Songwriting Sessions courses.

I created the Songwriter Circle as a space for this kind of conversation, with a relaxed schedule based around a monthly gathering.

How it works

Meetings are open only to Patreon members at the Songwriter Circle tier. Any Patreon membership also gives you access to an extensive library of guitar lessons, song downloads, and more.

Note that a Full Circle tier is available that includes not only the Songwriter Circle but the Guitar Circle, a monthly live guitar workshop. Find the full details on Patreon.

A limited number of spots are available in the Songwriter Circle so everyone has the chance to participate.

Each month:

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  • I offer an optional prompt to stir your writing.

  • We meet on the first Wednesday of the month starting at 7 pm ET, online on Zoom. (Occasionally we need to shift to a Monday or Tuesday due to a scheduling conflict.)

  • One week before each meeting, I post a sign-up with the available slots for those who’d like to share a song.

  • Folks sharing songs in the meeting can perform them live or play back a demo. (Here are some important tips about sharing music on Zoom.)

  • The session is recorded and accessible online to circle members for 90 days.

  • In between meetings, members have access to the private Facebook group the Words and Music Lounge to stay in touch.

All prompts, sign-ups, meeting links, etc., are posted on Patreon.

I’m so looking forward to seeing you and hearing your work. Questions? Email me.

Happy writing,
JPR

Meeting guidelines

What to share

If you write a song based on the monthly prompt, great! We’d love to hear it. But you can share any song, new or old, as long as you do not consider it 100 percent finished.

In other words, bring to the group only songs that you are open to changing, that you have questions about, that you feel could be improved.

The song doesn’t have to be complete either. Getting feedback on even lyrics alone or music alone can be very helpful.

When you are presenting a song…

  • Have a lyric sheet to share. The easiest way is to save the lyrics in a pdf you can send to the group through the chat.

  • Please skip the introductory explanations, back story, or apologies about the state of your song. Just play what you have, and get an unfiltered first reaction from the group. Then, if you wish, you can ask questions or describe your intentions.

  • Be open to comments and suggestions even if you disagree with them. The song is yours to shape however you want, but you can learn from others’ reactions.

When you are offering feedback…

  • Be as specific as possible. Point to specific lines, sections, moments.

  • Base your comments on the songwriter’s intentions and style, rather than on how you might approach a similar type of song. (In other words: remember that this is not your song.)

  • Be kind and encouraging in comments, of course, but also honest and direct. That’s the value and beauty of a group like this.