FAQ

When’s the next Festival?

August 16th-20th 2010 at Bath Spa University. Click here for Booking info. For a sample of a typical schedule, here’s a copy of the 2008 Festival timetable and factsheet (.pdf).

Is the Festival for me?

Songwriters at every level can benefit from our workshops, lectures, guest tutors and live performances. Past participants have included complete beginners who have never written a song before, right through to professional musicians who want to improve their skills. Participants are of all ages and come from a variety of musical backgrounds and levels of experience.

What kind of songs can I write?

Whatever you want. You’re in control of your own material – the daily tasks are designed to get you working with new processes, not to push you into a particular genre or style. Some of our lectures focus on the technical aspects of a song – hooks, choruses, imagery, melodic shape, scansion, chord constructions, form, metaphor, characterisation etc – so we often analyse ‘classic’ and commercially successful songs and look in detail at why they were hits.

What’s the difference between SWF Studio and SWF Workshop?

All participants write one song per day under the guidance of SWF tutors, and will have opportunities to share their material in workshop groups and record their songs on CD. In addition, SWF Studio participants benefit from our £500,000 Pro Tools HD studio suite, house producers and studio band, with studio recordings of their material, fully mixed and mastered.

SWF Workshop includes:

• Daily lectures on the craft of songwriting
• Small group playback and critique sessions
• Live band sessions
• Acoustic live recording to take away on CD

SWF Studio includes:

• Daily lectures on the craft of songwriting
• Small group playback and critique sessions
• Acoustic live recording to take away on CD
• Studio sessions with a professional producer
• Access to the SWF studio session band (and vocalists if needed)
• Studio recording to take away on CD

What will I get out of the festival?

The experience is intense you will write at least one new song every day as you put into practice the techniques learned.

You’ll have the chance to improve the focus, meaning and impact of your lyrics; you’ll develop the skills to shape melodies more effectively; you’ll learn about the complex psychological ways that songs affect listeners.

As well as recording your songs in the studio, you’ll have an opportunity to play/sing your material live with a professional session band. Throughout the week you’ll work in a friendly, non-judgemental atmosphere, where everyone helps everyone else to improve.

Why is the festival more expensive than other songwriting courses?

Most residential songwriting courses are based around a small group working acoustically with a single tutor. SWF employs over 20 staff, including lecturers, music producers, session musicians, studio technicians, and Pro Tools operators, and we operate 5 recording studios and a performance venue throughout the week.

Are there funded places available?

Two bursaries are available to budding songwriters who are still full-time students. Click here for more information.

Do I need to play an instrument?

The ability to accompany yourself will certainly help with your writing process. Guitarists usually bring an acoustic, though electric is also fine – we supply amps where needed. Pianists, er, don’t have to bring their instrument! We have more than 20 songwriting rooms available, each with a piano. Lyricist-only participants usually pair up with various co-writers throughout the week.

Do I need to read music?

Music reading in the traditional sense is not used at SWF, although we do run a short workshop session based around chord charts to ensure that everyone can communicate their ideas effectively to the house band and to each other.

Do I need to be prepared to sing?

Not if you don’t want to. Non-singing writers usually get other SWF students to sing for them, or ask members of the house band to sing their work during the evening sessions. Participants in the SWF Studio option have the choice of male or female session vocals on their recordings, if they prefer not to sing their own work.

What ís the accommodation like?

All residential participants will live on-site in the University’s halls of residence. You can find out more by going to the University’s accommodation page (this will open in a new browser window).

We also provide a bar and informal evening rehearsal facilities.

Some participants prefer to book accommodation in Bath (1-2 miles away) and travel to the campus each day; here’s a list of alternative accommodation.

Can younger songwriters get involved?

Regrettably, as we have a licensed bar every evening and individual rooms, we are not able to accept under-18s.

What are the facilities like?

Our campus music facilities include;

• 5 purpose-built studios running Pro Tools HD on Apple Mac
• 3 band rooms including PA system, drums, amps, keyboards etc.
• 17 piano/songwriting rooms
• Large modern cafeteria and deli bar
• 50 Apple Mac workstations with Internet access
• Free Wireless Internet access
• Loan laptop computers for recording

Take a look at the panoramas to see the facilities in more detail.

Are meals included?

All residential students are half-board i.e. breakfast and evening meal are included in the standard and ensuite residential rates. A cafeteria lunch is available (around £4 per day).

How much does it cost?

Cost varies between around £495 (SWF Workshop, non-residential) to £970 (SWF Studio, fully residential with ensuite room). Go to the booking form, or call +44 (0)1225 876360 if you have any questions.

How do I pay?

1. By cheque (£100 deposit reserves you a place). More info.

2. By credit card – call (+44) (0) 1225 876360

3. Online secure payment – see booking page.

Do I need to bring anything?

Pen and paper (or laptop and a USB memory stick if you prefer to write lyrics on a computer). Guitarists need to bring their instrument, tuner and leads/strings etc. We provide everything else.

Will I really be able to write one song a day?

Yes! Our tutors will provide tips and tricks that will help you to unlock any writer’s block, and speed up the songwriting process, whilst improving the quality and effectiveness of your writing. Read the student feedback (in the ‘Quotes’ section above) for more information.