What to Expect at Your First Composition/Song Writing Workshop

What to bring for your first songwriting lesson style workshop

Keep it simple. I’d rather you show up with a few useful tools than overthink it and bring a backpack full of gear you never open.

• Notebook and pen for quick lyric lines, rhymes, and structure ideas.
• Phone recorder (voice memo app) so you can catch melodies the second they show up. This is one of the best song writing tips I can give beginners.
• Laptop or tablet (optional) if you prefer typing lyrics or tracking versions.
• Headphones if you like to quietly check a reference track or a click without filling the room with sound.
• Instrument (optional). If you play guitar or keys, bring it if it helps you write. If you don’t, you’re still in the right place.

Before you arrive, think about two things and tell me when we start: the genre you’re drawn to (rock, pop, jazz, classical, or anything in-between) and what you want most right now. Lyrics help? Melody ideas? Chord movement? I can guide the session better when I know what you’re aiming for.

Here’s the full workshop flow, step by step (and where you can stay private)

When you arrive, I’ll get you settled and I’ll ask a couple quick questions about what you listen to and what kind of song you want to leave with. I run a calm, focused room. Families tell me the studio feels like the kind of place where it’s easier to concentrate, and that matters when you’re trying to get ideas out of your head and onto paper.

1) A short warm-up that removes the blank-page problem

I’ll start with a quick prompt that’s designed to get words moving without judging them. Think: a title brainstorm, a simple rhyme map, or a “first verse in 10 minutes” sprint. The point is momentum, not perfection.

2) Guided writing time

This is the heart of the session. You’ll write solo, or you can pair up if you enjoy bouncing ideas off someone. I’ll circulate, answer questions, and give you practical choices when you get stuck, like two chord options that change the emotion, or a way to tighten a chorus so it lands harder.

3) Sharing and feedback that stays constructive and confidential

If you choose to share, you’ll get feedback that’s specific. I keep it practical: what’s already working, what’s unclear, and the next small move that improves it. And yes, what happens in the room stays in the room. People write better when they feel safe.

“Teacher William is amazing, patient, knowledgeable and great with kids. Highly recommend for Piano, Keyboard, Drum or any instrument!”

, one of our regulars

After the workshop: how to keep your song moving this week

Right after a first workshop, most people feel two things at once: excitement because they finally started, and a little mental noise because they can hear ten directions the song could go. That’s normal. The goal for the next few days is to pick one direction and add just enough structure to make progress obvious.

Simple homework I usually recommend

• Record a rough voice memo of your chorus idea, even if it’s messy. A “bad” recording beats a forgotten melody.
• Do a 10-minute daily writing sprint. Set a timer, write without editing, and stop when the timer ends.
• Choose one small target: finish verse one, tighten the chorus lyric, or test two different chord moves.

If you’re the type who likes a plan, I can also point you toward a simple weekly structure: two short writing days, one day to revise, and one day to record a new demo version. That’s enough to build momentum without taking over your life.

And if you’re coming in from Wheeling, Arlington Heights, Prospect Heights, Long Grove, Lincolnshire, or Palatine, it’s usually an easy mid-suburban drive to Buffalo Grove. A lot of busy parents and professionals like that the workshop is focused and time-efficient, especially when it fits neatly into an evening or weekend.

My favorite “first workshop” song writing tips that keep you confident

Here’s the insider thing I’ll tell you before you ever write a line: a good first session isn’t about finishing a radio-ready track. It’s about leaving with a repeatable process you can use at home.

I’ve watched students stick with music for years when lessons feel organized and encouraging, and when there’s a real sense of progress week to week. That same structure is what makes a songwriting lesson style workshop feel doable, even if you’ve never shared creative work out loud before.

If you’re planning to visit us on the McHenry Road commercial corridor in central Buffalo Grove near the Village Green and the municipal complex, give yourself a few extra minutes the first time so you can walk in settled. If you want to explore how workshops fit into your broader goals, I’ve also written about our workshops near the Village Green in Buffalo Grove and the differences between composition/songwriting vs music production.