WHAT WE TEACH
THE MUSIC
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What makes a great song?
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Developing and critiquing our existing songs
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Strengthening your writing through your use of melody, lyrics, harmony and structure
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You will have the chance to write and record new songs in a top West End studio using what you have learned
THE BUSINESS
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Building meaningful industry relationships
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Being a great listener and collaborator
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How to present your songs to artists, managers or A&R
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Understanding the roles of record labels and publishers
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Learning how decisions are made when new albums are being produced
THE LEGALS
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Copyright law: how to protect your songs
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What are PROs and why do I need them?
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How royalties are generated and calculated
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Publishing vs record deals - what's the difference?
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Song splits and understanding music contracts
THE TEAM
The music industry can sometimes feel like it lies behind a locked door. At SongCentre, we want to give you everything you need to break through that door and kick-start your songwriting career. Our team of mentors have worked with some of the biggest artists in the world, and we want to equip you with everything you need to know to forge a career in this ever-changing industry.
Click below to learn more about your instructors.
WE HAVE WRITTEN FOR...
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ARETHA FRANKLIN
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ATOMIC KITTEN
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THE STYLISTICS
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THE TEMPTATIONS
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GEORGE BENSON
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KERRY ELLIS & SIR BRIAN MAY
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TINA TURNER
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CLIFF RICHARD
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HOLLY VALANCE
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LULU
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JAKI GRAHAM
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PETER COX
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MARCELLA DETROIT
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BLUE
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STEVE BROOKSTEIN
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KENNY G
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EARTH WIND AND FIRE
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SHEENA EASTON
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MAXI PRIEST
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SHAYNE WARD
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‘GRETEL’ THE MUSICAL
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HEATHER SMALL
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DELTA GOODREM
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TINA ARENA
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STEVE BALSAMO
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MIS-TEEQ
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RONAN KEATING
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LIGHTHOUSE FAMILY
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BILLIE MYERS
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LOUISE SETARA
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LOST HOLLOW
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PHILIP BAILEY
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TAMMY WEIS
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THE SWEET
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ROZALLA
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ERIC AND JENSEN
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JENIFER HOLIDAY
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IMAGINATION
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ASWAD
...AND MANY MORE
SERVICES
THE COURSES
SONGWRITERS | PRODUCERS | ARTISTS
While our private services are available all year round, our courses are not currently running.
However, if you are interested in being part of our next programme, please use the form below to register your interest.
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Will food and drink be provided?Tea and coffee-making facilities will be available during the workshops, but you will need to provide your own lunch and dinner. Luckily, with such a central location, there is no shortage of places to eat and drink around the studio!
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I only write lyrics - is this course still appropriate for me?Absolutely. Pure lyricists are very welcome. Lyrics will be one of our key focuses of the course, and we will also help you to find you new collaborators during the weekend.
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Are there any basic requirements for your courses?Not specifically - our courses are appropriate for beginners all the way up to established writers who are looking to take their careers to the next level. However, we do require all participants to complete an intake form upon booking to enable us to assess your current level of understanding and what you hope to learn or achieve during your time with us.
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I'm coming in from out of town, where can I stay?As we are located in the West End, accommodation is not difficult to come by, however in this part of London it can get very expensive. Bear in mind that with the addition of the Elizabeth Line (Crossrail) at Tottenham Court Road station, you would be able to stay a little further afield while still maintaining easy access to our studio. For example, Stratford is a mere 13 minute tube ride away!
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What are the start and finish times for "All About The Song"?We will be covering a lot of ground so it’s a 9:30 am start and an approx. 6pm finish on both days.
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How do I get to Umbrella Rooms?Our venue, Umbrella Rooms, is located on Shaftesbury Avenue, in the heart of London's West End, less than a 5 minute walk from Tottenham Court Road tube station. (Central, Northern, Elizabeth Line) Umbrella Rooms is situated just behind the iconic James Smith & Sons umbrella store (pictured below).
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Do I need to bring anything with me?Instruments: Pianos and keyboards will be provided, but if you are a guitarist and generally prefer to write for guitar, we would advise you to bring your instrument along. Songs: Critiquing existing work is an important part of these weekends, so please feel free to bring a couple of your favourite songs you have created. We can listen via Bluetooth off your smartphone. We also recommend writing equipment for note-taking and a phone/tablet with a recording app installed so you are able to keep a record of songs during the writing process.
FRIENDS OF SONGCENTRE
At SongCentre we are proud to be associated with some fine institutions who are all dedicated to providing musicians, artists and songwriters with the tools and platforms they need to develop their craft.
We recommend our friends at STUDIO SPARES for all your recording and audio needs.
Click here to view their selection of premium home recording and studio equipment.
CONTACT US
The Umbrella Rooms
239-241, Shaftesbury Ave,
London WC2H 8EH
songcentreuk@gmail.com