Songwriting camps

What do children learn at songwriting camp?

Songwriting activities expose your child to the entire music composition and production process. Kids and teens learn how to structure songs, coming up with good choruses and hooks, writing great verses and bridges. Songwriting is a form of poetry, so camps teach poetry concepts and skills such as how to write visceral imagery, similes, and metaphors. Campers will also learn the use of iambic pentameter and rhyming words in their songs. Kids and teens are encouraged to write from the heart and take inspiration from their own experiences to create catchy songs.

This generalized description may not apply to all camps. Consult camps and programs above for specific details of their curriculum and activities.  

Some songwriting camps focus solely on composition and music production. At these camps, kids and teens learn how to structure the acoustics of their songs. Children learn about chords, time signatures, octaves, and more. Music production can also be done electronically, so kids and teens may use laptops, electronic keyboards and more, to create their own beats. 

Advanced songwriting camps prepare campers for a future in the music industry. Professional equipment like microphones, headphones, sound booths, mixers, and instruments are used. Good notation software is also used, with which kids and teens make their own beats and record vocals. For kids wishing to pursue a career in music production, songwriting, or singing, using professional equipment is essential to building their experience.

Songwriting camp is also a lot of fun, being a supportive, non-judgemental space. A mix of campers are present and, while some may be more invested than others, instructors make sure all kids are treated fairly and receive the same amount of experience writing, performing, and making music. When songwriting activities are completed, your young musician may have the opportunity to sing their own songs in front of live audiences. Programs are coeducational, and songwriting is conducted both independently and as a team. Prices for these camps begin at $30, and can rise to $500 for a full semester.

Why go to songwriting camp?

Songwriting camp is an ideal way for kids and teens to gain experience in music production, singing, and composition. Here are some things your son or daughter might find at camp:

• Exposure to multiple music genres. Songwriting camps encourage campers to write in a genre that feels most expressive and comfortable for them, but experimentation is also encouraged. Genres include pop, rock, electronic dance music (EDM), hip hop, and musical theatre.
• Gain confidence and maturity. At songwriting camps, kids and teens share their work with peers and instructors. Perhaps initially daunting, this is very healthy in the relaxed setting of a camp, where kids learn to give and receive feedback. As they improve their skills and continue sharing their work, they gain confidence in their songwriting abilities.
• Homework you’ll like. Though the word ‘homework’ may trigger some eye rolls, at songwriting camp, homework is much more fun! Outside of camp, instructors expect campers to continue writing songs, practice techniques, and draw inspiration from every corner of their lives. This way, they keep their songwriting skills in motion.
• General writing skills improve at songwriting camps. Kids and teens broaden their vocabularies, understand grammar and punctuation, and learn about sentence structure through songwriting.

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