UPDATE: Bill Burnett's Magic Ingredient Songwriting Seminar will now be meeting at 7:30 on MONDAYS starting June 14 throughout June and July at the Coffee Gallery Backstage.
When Bette Midler needed a magic touch for the opening number of her new Vegas act, she turned to Bill Burnett—a songwriter whose work had brought the house down for her in big stadium concerts all over the world. When Nickelodeon wanted magical one minute music videos for one of their animated series, Burnett did the writing and provided over 40 catchy songs in every imaginable style. When the Skirball Arts Center needed a show to highlight the magic of their Hanukkah celebration, they commisioned Bill to write the script, music and lyrics.
Lately Burnett’s been headlining regularly at Altadena’s own Coffee Gallery. People there were so knocked out by his words, music, and overall knowledge of songcraft that they asked him to teach a course in how to make songs come to life.
So he agreed to do it. The first 8 week seminar begins
Thurs., June 10 at 8 PMMon., June 14, at 7:30 PM and will continue every Monday through July 29. It’s all happening at what Bill calls his “magical music patio.”
There, in a relaxed environment, Burnett will lift the veil off a number of works by a wide range of established songwriters (from the likes of Leonard Cohen and Joni Mitchell to Rodgers and Hart, Irving Berlin, Lieber and Stoller, Hank Williams, Tom Lehrer and more) and examine the way these masters use time-tested tricks and solid songcraft to create powerful, unforgettable songs. He’ll delve into the history of song, explore the fundamentals of structure, rhyme, rhythm, melody and harmony—and show how these basic tools can be used to increase the power of song.
Then each week participants will get a chance to play their work, and the group will provide “Friendly Feedback” about completed songs and works in progress. “I’m not interested in tearing anybody’s songs apart,” Burnett says “But maybe we can find ways to stick them together so they come out a little bit stronger.”
There will also be once-a-month concerts at the Coffee Gallery (2029 N. Lake, 91001) where the Magical Song Seminar students will present their songs in concert to the public. Established songwriters and newcomers alike will find this seminar uplifting and enlightening. The fee is $30 per session or $175 in advance for the 8 week course (a savings of $65.) Space is limited.
Contact Duane Thorin--323-627-0662—(duane@duanethorin.com) to sign up.
