POSTPONED DUE TO ILLNESS. NEW DATES TBA!
Thursday afternoons THIS SUMMER: 3:30pm-5:30pm on Summer dates TBA
At the Tottenville Branch Library, 7430 Amboy Road, SINY 10307
FREE! Good for all ages.

Island writer/musician Gary Moore leads these fun & informative sessions. Gary taught in the NYC public school system for 30 years. He now devotes his time to writing, songwriting and performing throughout the tri-state area in his band, Allergic to B’s.

This workshop series includes three sessions: each is stand alone, but connected. Attendance at all sessions is preferred, but not necessary. All ages and levels of experience are welcome.

SESSION ONE: LYRICS
Introduction to songwriting. Explore the three basic elements: lyrics, rhythm, melody. Concentration on lyrics: what is the theme of your “story”, use of meter and rhyme schemes, inner-line rhyme. Tricks to start off a writing session. How to format your lyrics.

SESSION TWO: RHYTHM:
Selecting a rhythm to match your lyrics. Slow, fast, ethnic, basic.
How rhythm accompanies lyrics and helps to tell the “story”.
Trying out different rhythms. Temp as opposed to rhythm.

SESSION THREE: MELODY
Constructing a melody from the chords you use. Simple melodies and complex lyrics and vice-versa. How to make the melody another partner in your song.

Any instruments or equipment needed to demonstrate any of the ideas in this workshop will be provided by the instructor.