Thanks to repeated requests from song written readers, I’m offering a limited number of song evaluations during the month of October.
In case you’ve never experienced a song evaluation before, here’s how it works: you send in a song you’ve written, and in about a week you’ll receive an mp3 recording full of friendly, constructive, and highly detailed feedback on your song.
Simple as that.
Almost every neighborhood has a guitar teacher…
…and a piano instructor, and probably a vocal coach. But very few have someone versed in songwriting who can provide feedback and offer ideas for strengthening your writing skills.
But lyric writing is every bit as technical and difficult as learning an instrument—and it requires just as much training. There are always new skills to learn, new pitfalls to avoid—concerning the rhyme scheme, imagery, line lengths, arrangement of song sections, it goes on and on.
It’s always helpful to have someone in your corner: examining your songs closely, rooting for you, and urging you on toward your best possible work.
What exactly is an “Evaluation?”
First of all, an evaluation is not an audition.
I’m no judge—instead more of a coach, or even a mechanic. When giving an evaluation, I make it my job to consider your song in great technical detail.
During your evaluation, I’ll discuss:
- What’s uniquely fascinating about your song? How can this appeal be honed and sharpened?
- What poetic techniques and music theory concepts have you used effectively (even if you didn’t mean to)?
- Are songwriting clichés draining all the impact out of your song?
- How can you make the song more emotionally powerful, and make a lasting connection with your listeners?
Please note I will not attempt to judge whether your song is going to get recorded by the latest boy band, tug at the heartstrings of modern fourteen-year-olds, and earn you 4.8 trillion dollars.
There are plenty of services out there that can give you feedback on how marketable your song is—but this isn’t one of them. My evaluations are focused entirely on the craft, with a strong focus on lyrics.
What You’ll Get
When your evaluation’s complete, you’ll receive:
A recorded mp3 in which I’ll explore your song’s unique strengths, then offer ideas for making it even stronger. Aspects covered will include: the song’s core idea, structure, melody, emotional impact, and the title.
An action plan outlining areas of study to target, and suggestions for actual exercises you can use to practice your songwriting skills. This action plan will help you hone your writing skills to a razor-sharp edge.
An optional 30-minute Skype session. If you’d rather talk out your evaluation instead of receiving a prerecorded audio file, you can order a Skype session. This is totally optional.
Please note that I only have time to accept about 25 song evaluations this month of October. Depending on how popular these evaluations are, they could go fast. Sorry for the limited supply—I do need a little time to work on my own songs, you know. 😉
First come, first served. Click the big green button to get started.
P.S. If you’re worried about whether an evaluation is right for you, here’s the deal: If you receive your evaluation and feel it wasn’t worth your money and time, I’ll gladly refund your money—and I’ll say ‘thank you’ for giving the experience a chance. I’m easy like that. 😉
If you have any questions about these song evaluations, contact me at: contact@lyricworkroom.com and I’ll be happy to help.
—Nick