On Thursday 3 February 2011 BBC Introducing hosted a unique event at two world famous studios, Abbey Road and Maida Vale, where 250 new musicians got an opportunity to hear from some of the biggest names in the industry – including established artists, record labels, managers, BBC DJs and many more.
The list of experts that attended the Musicians’ Masterclass included the likes of Kaiser Chiefs, Tinchy Stryder, Calvin Harris, Toddla T, Annie Mac, Jo Whiley,Steve Lamacq, Zane Lowe, Bobby Friction and Pete Tong. You’ll find full length videos from every session to watch at your leisure on the main BBC Introducing website
Meanwhile here’s my 2011 Songwriters Workshop at Abbey Road – for the longer 2012 session click here.
Thanks Tom, that’s really helpful. You’ve addressed things that will really impact our songwriting and performing. Great stuff.
Really glad it was helpful. They’ve asked me to give the same talk again at Abbey Road this January – will have to see if I can remember it now !
Hi Tom, your talk was very, very helpful :0). You said you were gonna put your ‘rhyming sheet’ on your blog, but I can’t seem to find it…Could you help me please?…Many Thanks and you’re awesome!! x
Hi Amy – thanks for your kind comment – the “rhyming sheet” is online now at http://t.co/8VaRXYXY together with video of this year’s workshop. It covers mostly the same ground as this one. It’s a bit longer but also a bit more rambling – it does expand on some of the points though.
thxs for this free online masterclass uncle Tom !!! im not songwriter but will recommended it to friends of mine !!!
everything you said are so simple, wise, down to earth things but sometimes it takes a long time to some people to realise these simple things.cheers!
Consider my jaw on the floor. And the cat’s jaw, also on the floor. A million thanks Tom Robinson! If every country gets the creative activist they deserve, England must have deserved a lot.
much love wooooooooooof
NNNNDDDD
@NicholasDobson – surely not THE Nicholas Dobson – of Frustrated Songwriters Handbook fame ? If you are, then thankyou both for your kind words and for your awesome pioneering book with Karl Coryat.
I keep buying extra copies of it http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0879308796 to give to deserving songwriters. But your lovely comment has just made my Christmas 🙂
@Tom Robsinon – yes it is meeeee. glad i made Xmas. much love <3 nd
Hi Mr. Robinson,
I thought this was a great talk and very helpful. There aren’t enough experienced professionals out there giving advice like his. Thank you.
I’ve been writing songs for a long time and while I like some new music that I hear, I find myself always going back to The Beatles, Carole King and others of the same era for inspiration. I know what you said about being inspired by the time you live in but if I’m not does that make me doomed 🙂 If I could chose to write a song I would rather write ‘Hey Jude’ than whatever is at number one right now. Would you agree that certain songs or types of writing are evergreen and that only production changes make them current. I’m sure if ‘Hey Jude’ or whatever was written last week it would still be a massive hit and become a classic. Am I wrong?
The charts are always awash with cover versions of classics so surely a great song always is and always will be. Am I doomed?