Song Critiques
Your friends and family love your material, but to find out if your songs really have "the goods" there's nothing more effective than receiving professional critiques. Alex Forbes provides detailed song critiques and evaluations in person (NYC area) or via Skype or phone worldwide.
Alex's feedback is delivered in the spirit of supportive encouragement and profound respect for the creative process. The commercial viability of each song depends on numerous factors, of course, but certain elements of songwriting craft remain universally applicable. Alex has critiqued thousands of songs and hundreds of individual songwriters, some of whom have written testimonials here.
Writers submit their material (full songs, lyrics, or works-in-progress) via email prior to each scheduled critique session. Songwriters in the New York area are also invited to schedule in-person critique sessions.
Each song receives a detailed evaluation in terms of its
- Originality and freshness
- Melodic, lyrical and chordal dynamics
- Effective use of songwriting conventions and song form
- Commercial viability (if this is desired)
To schedule your first song critiques, or for a free 15-minute consultation about the critique process, please call (845) 220-7543.
Price: $125 for 1 hour, which includes up to 3 song critiques. A 3-session package is also available, purchased in advance, for $330 (a savings of $45).
Please note that there is a strict 24-hour cancellation policy.
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"Alex is awe-inspiring as a songwriting coach. She has been my biggest fan and toughest critic — both desperately needed in the music business.
Her insightful critiques of my songs are incredibly helpful because they are so thoughtful and in-depth. Her comments are substantive, not vague, and her enthusiasm in encouraging the best songs I can write is undying. I owe her a world of thanks (and probably some royalties!). I feel that Alex has played a major role in developing my songwriting talent to the point now where my songs are gaining a lot of notice from music publishers and film/TV music supervisors."
— April Higuera, Singer-Songwriter (www.soundclick.com/AprilHiguera)
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"Alex's consistent support and clarity took me to the next level with my songwriting.
As a result, my increased understanding of construction and composition elements has resulted in confidence — as well as improved material! Thanks, Alex!"
— Mary Lou Scott, Lyricist
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One-On-One Songwriting
Coaching and Consulting
Coaching 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 which includes:
- Personalized action plans
- Ongoing in-person, telephone or email contact
- Rigorous deadlines for song submissions
- Intensive feedback on material
- Creativity and writing exercises
Coaching and consulting sessions are available in person (NYC area), via Skype worldwide, or by telephone.
After an initial phone interview, coaching clients fill out a questionnaire detailing their songwriting experience and goals, and a One-Year Vision is drawn up, assuring that the client and Alex are "on the same page."
The actual coaching takes place in one-hour Skype, phone, or in-person sessions, supplemented by the submission of lyric sheets, MP3s and other materials. Works in progress are welcome.
- 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: $125 for each one-hour session. Each 3-session package costs $330, a savings of $45.
- 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 for coaching, or for a free 15-minute consultation about the process, please call (845) 220-7543 to arrange an interview with Alex.
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"Alex Forbes is a wonderful person and a wonderful coach. She can spot a song's weaknesses from a mile away.
I would recommend her to anyone pursuing a career in songwriting."
— Ashley Jana, Singer-Songwriter
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Self-Study Songwriting
Guide and Workbook
To get a taste of Alex's coaching philosophy and techniques, visit Amazon.com and download her Ebook, "WRITE SONGS RIGHT NOW! Creativity Made Easy" ($2.99). Full of inspirational insights and hands-on exercises, this Ebook is a great way to get your creative juices flowing.
Work week by week or at your own pace through this tried-and-true progression of concepts and activities. Each chapter is packed with clear, concise songwriting advice and exercises designed to polish your skills and get you writing regularly.
Topics include:
- Inspiration Strikes Those Who Prepare For It
- Anatomy of a Song: How Form Follows Function
- Creating Compelling Lyrics
- Making Melodies that Matter
- Harmony & Rhythm: The Bed Your Melody Sleeps In
- Hooks & Hits: What Makes Some Songs "Radio"?
- Songwriting in Genres: Substance with Style
- The Essential Art of Collaboration
- Recording Your Songs: From Demos to Masters
- Creating Relationships in the Music World
- Resources For Songwriters
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"I just think that dreaming up songs is more an artful recreation than a loathsome chore, even when it's difficult. I appreciate a book that celebrates that. I also liked this book because it is formatted as a Step-by-Step Course that is concise, systematic and well-paced."
— Book review for Alex's earlier edition, "The Songwriter's PlayBook" on MusesMuse.com. Click here to read the full review.
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Great for beginners or songwriters who want to explore and expand their creativity, "Write Songs Right Now!" is a tried-and-true way to ramp up your writing.
Ebook Edition Price: $2.99, available on Amazon Kindle and other Ebook platforms.
