Alex Forbes offers a variety of courses of action that support aspiring and experienced songwriters in reaching their goals. These include an eBook, Song Critiques and One-On-One Coaching. Her particular specialty is igniting the creative spark in her clients, many of whom have gone on to achieve great success.
Self-Study Songwriting Guide
"The Songwriter's PlayBook:
10 Weeks to Better Songs"
Improve your songwriting with this inspiring hands-on songwriting course. Progress week by week or at your own pace through this tried-and-true progression of concepts and activities. Each chapter of this 118-page eBook is packed with clear, concise songwriting advice and exercises designed to polish your skills and get you writing regularly. Click here for a book review on MusesMuse.com.
Topics include:
- Week 1: Inspiration Strikes Those Who Prepare For It
- Week 2: Anatomy of a Song: How Form Follows Function
- Week 3: Creating Compelling Lyrics
- Week 4: Making Melodies that Matter
- Week 5: Harmony and Rhythm: The Bed Your Melody Sleeps In
- Week 6: Hooks & Hits: What Makes Some Songs "Radio"?
- Week 7: Songwriting in Genres: Substance with Style
- Week 8: The Essential Art of Collaboration
- Week 9: 3 Kinds of Song Demos: Dressing Up Your Babies
- Week 10: Creating Relationships in the Music World
Ebook Edition: $14.95, downloadable and printable in PDF format.
Buy "The Songwriter's PlayBook"
Ebook Edition
Available exclusively from Seashell Sky via PayPal. Order here and your book will be emailed to you upon receipt of payment directly from CreativeSongwriter.com.
Song Critiques
If you want professional feedback on your songs, Alex provides detailed song critiques and evaluations by phone, email or in person (NYC area).
Alex's feedback is delivered in the spirit of supportive encouragement and profound respect for the creative process. The commercial viability of each song, of course, depends on numerous other factors, but certain elements of songwriting craft remain universally applicable. Alex has critiqued thousands of songs and hundreds of individual songwriters, many of whom have gone on to have successful careers in music.
Writers submit their material (either lyrics or full songs) via email for critique prior to each session. Songwriters in the New York area are also invited to schedule in-person critique sessions. Each song will be evaluated in terms of its
- Originality and freshness
- Melodic, lyrical and chordal dynamics
- Effective use of songwriting conventions and form
- Commercial viability (if this is desired)
To enroll in the process, please email Alex at the address below, or call 845-220-7543 to schedule your first critique session and arrange payment. Several days before that date, you will be requested to email your lyrics and/or MP3s to Alex for review.
Price: $75.00 for 1hour, which includes 3 song critiques.
One-On-One Songwriting Coaching & Consulting
This is an intensive, ongoing course of action tailored to the needs of each individual songwriter. Alex Forbes provides this service to a select number of clients who are committed to exponentially raising the quality of their material. Her proven mastery of the craft is delivered in a rigorous and supportive program tailored to the needs of each client. This program includes:
- Personalized action plans
- Ongoing in-person, telephone or email contact
- Rigorous deadlines for song submissions
- Intensive feedback on material
Coaching and consulting sessions are available in person (NYC area), online or by telephone.
After an initial phone interview, you'll fill out a questionnaire detailing your songwriting experience and goals. Then a detailed One-Year Plan is drawn up. This assures that you and Alex are "on the same page" with regards to your process and intentions.
The actual coaching takes place in one-hour telephone or in-person sessions, supplemented by the exchange of written lyrics, MP3s and other materials.
- When: 1 hour, usually weekly or bi-weekly. Scheduling is determined according to the availability of both parties. A minimum of 3 sessions are suggested in order to start the process.
- Price: $75.00 for each one-hour session. Each 3-session package costs $195.00, a savings of $30.00.
- Songwriting requirements: All levels of experience are welcome, but it must be noted that this is a rigorous program, requiring a high level of commitment and energy.
To register, please send an email to the address below, or call 845-220-7543 to arrange an interview with Alex.
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"Alex is not only
a great songwriter, but a great song-writing teacher – with an approach that is creative, constructive, and challenging."
"Writing songs
is not like winning the lottery. It is an
art and craft that
Alex has been willing to share
with countless songwriters."
“Alex can take a
song idea and
bring it into focus
with just the right amount of pop sensibility."
"Alex is a proven hitmaker as well
as a teacher and
mentor held in high esteem by both her peers and students. On top of all that, she is a born motivator."
"Alex has helped
me with so many songs, always encouraging me to think outside the
box, demanding I get to the heart
of what I'm trying
to say."
"One of the things
I admire most
about Alex is her optimistic attitude towards writing. It's a pleasure to work with her."
"Alex coaches in such a way that
your true style is able to come out with confidence."
“I've learned to branch out of my little songwriting corner and explore different styles.
Alex was very good at showing us how to paint a picture with words and music.”
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