Bob King Songwriting Workshops (for grades 4-8)

My individual songwriting workshops ideally run for one hour and fifteen minutes. I can work with high numbers in a classroom, but I find that the best results come when I work with selected students (grades 4-6 or 4-8, about 12 -25 in all) who seem to have a knack or a talent for music or for coming up with creative ideas.

We begin the workshop by discussing some basic music theory about melody, rhythme and rhyming. We then brainstorm and look at various potential topics. From those topics we try to come up with one line of lyric (first line or title) and put a simple melody to it, that simple melody preferably coming from one of the students. From a list of two or three choices, we pick what seems to be our best creative option and then focus on that for our song. We resolve that simple line of melody that we first created with another line or two, and then we add an aditional verse or chorus according to what we already have. By this time we already have our melody and beat established and it is a matter of extending it by fitting it into a longer structure (adding verses or a bridge). By the end of a class - voila! Our song should usually be ready, at least on a first draft basis. We then tape the song and think about ways we can improve it or how to best perform it.

Topics may range from the serious to the silly and even to curriculum related topics, but to start off with, a simple song about having a good attitude or else a school/town theme song is recommended for practicality and for helping to establish good feelings and a cooperative spirit among everyone. Song title suggestions from students and teachers/principals are welcome.

Aside from learning the actual creative techniques of writing and composing that children learn in my workshops in the process, there are other benefits as well, two of which I will list below.

Songwriting is one of the best ways I know to develop organisational thinking in students. When we talk about song structures, I always stress that the chorus of a song, is where we communicate our main idea to others. In the verses, we elaborate and talk about details, but we always come back to our main idea which is in the chorus. This principle applies to many different school subjects and even to life skills in general. We can explore concepts and ideas, but we should always return to our main idea. This is something that I once thought all children were aware of, but I have since found that such is not the case. I have found that it is good to teach such organisational skills to children and that songwriting is one of the best ways that I know to teach it.

Working with selected students allows me to help them to develop leadership skills so that the other students may also benefit. I believe that people who are creative in any way are more likely to become good leaders if their skills are channeled properly.

After we have done our work and the group has come up with a good song, I try to make it clear to the students that they are making a statement that other people are usually interested in listening to for one reason or antother. This ability to draw attention from others implies leadership and there may be associated responsibilities that go along with that. If this select group of songwriters can get others in their class or school to sing their songs (with the teacher's encouragement), it will be a great experience for everyone as well as make them proud as a class or group and satisfied to know that they have helped to create something original that is fun and of high standards musically and lyrically.  It will give them a first hand experience of knowing that focusing their thoughts on something can be educational, creative, fun and bring out their own uniqueness.

I depend on the teachers to choose students with imaginitive talent for these workshops. I should also point out that these may not necessarily be the ones who are the best in other academic subjects. I can also advise teachers how to follow up on my workshops after I leave, in order to create the maximum benefits, but first I need to know about the school's capabilities regarding their music program, available instruments, available accompanists, etc.

These workshops are optional with a concert and cost seventy five - ninety dollars for a one hr. - 75 min. session. If you are interested, please let me know when you book a concert. You may contact me at (306)345-2804 or email: bobbyk@thenewpaths.com Thank you.