My Songwriting Coaching Approach

My songwriting coaching is based on the conviction that you were born complete, creative, and worthy, and still are complete, creative, and worthy. Your art and creative expression are both incredibly unique and also universal. While I have tools and skills to offer, I acknowledge that no one knows you or your art better than you.

The music industry is an interesting little monster capable of both astounding beauty and devastating harm. I wish that there was a clear and surefire path to success, but the road is meandering and unpredictable. For that reason, I consider a path through the music industry – like any other sincere path in life – a spiritual one.

And because there are so many things out of our control in the music industry (and life), I like to support my clients to focus on the things that are within our sphere of influence.

To this end, my intention as your coach is to offer you support in three primary areas that I refer to as the “threefold path” of songwriting: The Songs, The Strategy, and The Spirit.

The Songs

Here, we explore how to balance “art” (the free-flowing, formless creativity inherent to all humans) with “craft” (the structures and forms that support turning this art into meaningful a piece of communication and/or commercial product).

When exploring “The Songs,” I support you to identify your growth edges in songwriting so that you’re always deepening your competencies. We look at how art and craft intertwine and nurture each other to ensure that the music you create is both reflective of your artistic identity and successful for your goals, whether you create music solely for personal fulfillment or for your career. This path includes all aspects of the craft of songwriting: structure, form, rhyme scheme, melody, chord progressions, genre influence, etc.

The Strategy

Here, we look at the real-world tangible industry “stuff.” We get clear on when, where, and with whom you need to spend your time, energy, and resources in service of your music goals. This path includes areas like networking, publishing, management, labels, agents, social media platforms, distribution, promotion, etc. My goal is to offer you practical music industry knowledge and guidance so that you can navigate the industry safely with integrity and joy.

The Spirit

Here, we explore the most important path and the one that should be the wellspring from which the other paths flow. This is where we get clear on your “why” behind music – why do you create music? What sustains your connection to your art? We’ll explore tools and practices to stay in touch with your “why” and how can you become a better companion to yourself through a very challenging and constantly changing industry. This path includes transforming your relationship with things like resistance, self-doubt, anxiety, burnout, and growing your relationship with confidence, joy, self-expression, freedom, creativity, and ease.