Anchor
3 Chords and the Truth
Level: All
For this class, I want you to read Brenda Ueland’s book If You Want To Write. Use a highlight marker to underline the parts of the book that speak to you, keeping in mind that this is a book you will return to for years to come. Study Ueland's book like a textbook, it will help you understand what great writers do.
We will to explore WHY we write, and discuss our motives behind the impulse to write songs. Understanding why we write makes us better writers. In the arts, and particularly in songwriting, the WHY is every bit as important as the HOW.
I see songwriting as a generosity, an impulse to share with other people a truth or feeling that we have had. Songs are our gift to the world, and to do it well requires honesty. Honesty, in our life as well as in our art, is a matter of respect. Disingenuousness, shallowness, posturing, or lies debase the songwriter, and ultimately the only way to become a better writer is to become a better person. Better in the sense of being more open, more honest, and less self-centered. I see songwriting as a service, much like a ministry. Whatever you write will reveal your personality; who you ARE will show through in your writing. We will discuss this.
When we write with the proper motives, our love can show us how to write beautifully. I believe songwriting is spiritual work, and for me it is a spiritual practice. I will use my own experiences as a writer and recording artist to highlight the lessons I hope to teach, or at least discuss. I don’t think spiritual lessons are easily taught, and certainly not in a short class, but a lively discussion of these truths can be beneficial. Also, it will be fun!
Mary Gauthier and Darrell Scott Combined Class
"Darrell Scott and Mary Gauthier will join forces at Fur Peace Ranch to bring their shared vision on how to write honest songs from your deepest self.
Mary and Darrell will teach individual classes, and they will also teach classes together for this weekend's workshops. The shared classes will be inspirational, the individual classes more instructional, working with the students on their own songs.
Darrell and Mary's combined passion for songwriting has fired up and emboldened students to take the risks in their writing that translates into much improved songs and a deeper sense of connection with their self and their audience. The added advantage of the combined classes is that the students will form their own community, and become part of the greater Songfood Songwriter Community, a collection of Darrell's and Mary's students from all over the world that stay in touch thru the online social network Ning, trading new songs, co-writing, and encouraging each other. This will be a great weekend!"
- 06/18/10 – 6/21/10
- 3 Chords and the Truth
- Apply Now!
About Mary Gauthier
Mary Gauthier is a Louisiana born, Nashville based songwriter who has released 6 CD’s of original material, and has also had songs recorded by Tim McGraw, Jimmy Buffett, Candi Staton, Blake Shelton and many others.
Mary has toured the world playing her original songs for over fifteen years, and has taught songwriting for a decade. Gauthier’s most recent album, “Between Daylight and Dark,” has drawn positive reviews from many sources.
The Los Angeles Times said, “With songwriting as powerful as hers, there's no need to go looking for qualifiers, she’s no retro, pre, post, or contemporary anything, she's simply a unique, intrinsically valuable musical voice. And there’s never a surplus of those”
The Associated Press wrote, “With her most recent release Between Daylight and Dark Gauthier confirms that she is among the best songwriters of her generation.” Mary’s willingness to take on hard topics, her sympathy for the underdog, her simple, honest stories, and he poet’s heart make her one of the most respected songwriters working today.
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