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Lúnasa Festival 2018 – An Experience with John Spillane: Song-Writing Workshop

At John Spillane's workshop you actually write songs. After John attended a few workshops where the participants play their songs to be criticised by experts who talk down to them, he was inspired to invent a novel approach, where everyone sits down and writes a finished song in one session. This teaches many lessons, including finishing things, which is often a big problem for writers. John create's a space where all negativity, all criticism and judgement are locked outside.

At John Spillane’s workshop you actually write songs. After John attended a few workshops where the participants play their songs to be criticised by experts who talk down to them, he was inspired to invent a novel approach, where everyone sits down and writes a finished song in one session. This teaches many lessons, including finishing things, which is often a big problem for writers. John create’s a space where all negativity, all criticism and judgement are locked outside.

John says, “In the workshop:

  • We get down and dirty and write songs. First we write words. Then we assemble them in a certain order, using the tricks of the trade, verse, chorus, repetition, rhyme etc. Then we sing them and we have a song.
  • I try to come behind people and help them lose whatever inhibitions and fears they may have about writing songs.
  • Positivity is the key, and this can be applied to other parts of life also.
  • Anyone who signs up for my song writing workshop should be prepared to sing, it doesn’t matter at all how good or bad a singer you think you are!
  • For this workshop, we will all write a short simple song, just to get everyone believing.
  • Storytelling in the song, we will examine and enjoy the Irish ballad tradition and see how a story may be told in a song, how the music can heighten the action.
  • We will look at the magical chemical reaction that happens when words and music meet.
  • Each participant will pick a theme and write one serious ballad which can be perfected later in their own time .
  • The aim is to have a lot of fun, write a lot of words and music, move quickly and not get bogged down.”

Cost: £20 including light refreshments

Booking is essential as places are very limited.

For further information and to book: Contact Colleen on +4478 7260 2551 or by email or via Facebook.

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