The French House Party
+44 (0) 1299 896819
+44 (0) 7900 322791
What we do at the French House Party
- Creative Writing
- Books and Drama
- Art and Mixed Media
- Sketch, Paint and Stitch
- Digital Film-making
What we include at the French House Party
- Accommodation in twin/double rooms
- On suite bathroom
- All meals with wine
- Chauffeured airport transfers
- Pool, Tennis court, Boule pitch
Song writing course with Dean Friedman
30 July – 2 August, 2010
A rare opportunity to learn song writing from a virtuoso!
We’re delighted to announce that New York singer-songwriter Dean Friedman will be presenting a three-day series of residential vacation/holiday song-writing workshops with us in Carcassonne this July.
Dean shot to fame in 1977 with the unusual and irresistible love-song ‘Ariel’, following this with the iconic story-song ‘Lucky Stars’ – which went to the top of the British charts. Later singles included ‘Woman of Mine’, ‘Lydia’ and ‘Well Well Said the Rocking Chair’ and he has continued to write songs, record albums and perform both nationally and internationally. Dean is scheduling his summer European tour to include a stay at the French House Party’s eight-bedroom country house.
This exciting and exclusive opportunity to spend a three day holiday/vacation learning song writing techniques from one of contemporary music’s most original musical lyricists has limited availability. Bookings for the song writing course are at the all-inclusive price of £750 per person (sharing twin/double bedroom) and will be on a first-come-first-served basis. Single occupancy of a double room will incur a £450 room supplement
Dean will also be in concert one evening at a venue local to the French House Party. Admission to the concert is included in the course price.
Dean Friedman’s Song writing Workshop
Workshop Synopsis
This three day workshop will explore a handful of useful tools and strategies for inspiring and facilitating the craft of learning song writing. The role of choice in determining the theme, idiom, narrative voice and goal of a song will be examined along with strategies for creating an environment that encourages inspiration to strike. Students will be encouraged to share their original compositions, for comment and review. Each day, students will be given specific song writing assignments, individually and/or in pairs, tailored to explore some of the basic principles of the craft of song writing.
Schedule
| Friday | |
| Morning | Arrivals |
| 1.00pm – 2.00pm | Lunch |
| 2.00pm – 4.30pm | Song writing Workshop: Session 1 – Choosing Direction |
| 5.00pm – 8.00pm | Song writing Assignment Time (individual or pairs) |
| 8.00pm – 9.00pm | Dinner |
| Saturday | |
| 8.30am – 9.30am | Breakfast |
| 10.30am – 1.00pm | Song writing Workshop: Session 2 – Coaxing Inspiration |
| 1.00pm – 2.00pm | Lunch |
| 2.00pm – 5.30pm | Song writing Assignment Time (individual or pairs) |
| 5.30pm – 7.30pm | Assignment Performance/Review |
| 8.00pm – 10.30pm | Dean Friedman – In Concert (local venue)/and Dinner Buffet |
| Sunday | |
| 8.30am – 9.30am | Breakfast |
| 10.30am – 1.00pm | Song writing Workshop: Session 3 – Solving the Puzzle |
| 1.00pm – 2.00pm | Lunch |
| 2.00pm – 5.30pm | Song writing Assignment Time (individual or pairs) |
| 5.30pm – 7.30pm | Assignment Performance/Review |
| 8.00pm – 9.00pm | Dinner |
| 9.00pm – 11.00pm | Final Workshop Round-Robin Performance |
| Monday | |
| 8.30am – 9.30am | Breakfast |
| 10.00am | Departure |
FAQs
Q. Do I need to be able to read music?
A. No. Some knowledge of music notation or familiarity with chords or tablature can be helpful, but is not necessary. Paul McCartney could barely read music starting out, and he managed pretty well.
Q. Do I need to be able to PLAY music – for example, what if I’m interested in writing lyrics only?
A. No. Lyricists are welcome. If both parties are amenable, it may be desirable to for a lyricist to pair up with an instrumentalist, but that is completely optional and not a requirement of this course.
Q. Similarly, what if I can write the music, but I’m rotten with words?
A. Non-lyricists are welcome too. As above, If both parties are amenable, it may be desirable to for a lyricist to pair up with an instrumentalist, but that is completely optional and not a requirement of this course.
Q. Do I have to be able to sing well?
A. Not at all. But earnestness, forthrightness and sincerity count for a lot.
Q. Will I have to give a public performance?
A. We encourage you to, because sharing your efforts benefits both you and your peers, but we won’t short-sheet your bed, if you elect not to.
Q. What will I have to bring with me? E.g. some samples of songs or poetry I’ve already composed? An instrument? Notebook, Journal, Music Manuscript or Tablature paper? Writing implements? Laptop/Notebook computers?
A. You are encouraged to bring three or four samples of original songs or poems. And if you play an acoustic instrument – guitar, ukulele, banjo, auto-harp, etc. – you are encouraged to bring it. A keyboard and guitar will also be available during the workshop sessions. All participants are required to bring some type of notebook, journal or manuscript (music notation) paper or pad plus writing implement or laptop/notebook for sketching, documenting and editing their songs. Additional note pads, some manuscript paper and writing implements will also be available.
Q. Will these be group sessions or will there be some one-to-one instruction?
A. Workshop Sessions will consist of a mix of group lecture, discussion and round-robin review; the round-robin review component will involve personalized instruction in a group setting. During song writing assignment times, the instructor will be available for some one-to-one feedback and instruction.
More Info on Dean Friedman at the French House Party: Open PDF
More Info on Dean Friedman course schedule: Open PDF