Beyond the Basics: Introducing Our New Songwriting Deep Dives & Community Subscriptions

Remember that feeling when you finished your first song? That mix of pride, surprise, and maybe a little "wait… did I actually just do that?"

If you've graduated from Songwriting for Non-Songwriters, you know exactly what I'm talking about. You've proven to yourself that you can write songs. You've unlocked a creative practice you didn't even know you had in you. And now? Now you're probably wondering: "What's next? How do I keep this going without losing momentum?"

Here's the thing: finishing the group program isn't the end of your songwriting journey, it's really just the beginning. And whether you're a recent grad or a songwriter at any stage of your practice, I've designed two brand-new offerings to help you go deeper, stay connected, and keep the creative spark alive.

Let's dive in.

Why "Beyond the Basics" Matters

When you first learned to write songs, we covered a lot of ground: song structure, chord progressions, lyric writing, melody, rhyme schemes. We built the foundation. But songwriting, like any creative practice, gets richer the more you explore it.

You don't need to become a music theorist or a lyrical genius. But if you're curious about why certain chord progressions make you feel something, or how to craft metaphors that hit harder, or what makes a melody truly memorable? That's where the magic happens.

That's also where a lot of songwriters get stuck. They finish a course, write a few songs, and then… life happens. The momentum fades. The notebook gets dusty. And that creative muscle you worked so hard to build starts to atrophy.

I created these two offerings to solve that exact problem. One gives you structured learning to level up your craft. The other gives you a supportive community to keep you writing, week after week, without pressure or perfection.

Offering #1: Let's Get Theoretical – Songwriting Deep Dive Sessions

This is for you if you loved the group program but found yourself thinking, "I wish we could go even deeper into [insert topic here]."

Let's Get Theoretical is a 6-month series of 1.5-hour sessions where we dive into the elements of songwriting we only scratched the surface of before. Each session alternates between a music focus and a lyrics focus, so you're constantly building both sides of your songwriting brain.

Here's what's on the menu:

Tuesday, March 17 • 5:00–6:30pm: Moodifying Your Music

We're going beyond major chords and happy vibes. We'll explore minor chords and keys, stepdown chords, and how to intentionally break the key to create tension and emotion. This session is all about giving you more tools to match the mood of your music to the story you're telling.

Tuesday, April 21 • 5:00–6:30pm: Finding and Structuring Your Story

Ever start writing a song and realize halfway through you have no idea what it's actually about? This session is a step-by-step deep dive into theme selection, brain-dumping, and solidifying the story of your song before you lock in the structure. Think of it as the roadmap that keeps you from getting lost in verse three.

Tuesday, May 19 • 5:00–6:30pm: Building The Bones (with a little circuitry)

We'll play with different chord progressions throughout your song structure, because verse-chorus-verse doesn't have to sound the same every time. Then, we're experimenting with Suno to create instrumentals for those of you who don't play an instrument. (Yes, you can write songs without being a musician. I'll show you how.)

Tuesday, June 16 • 5:00–6:30pm: Painting the Picture with Wordplay

Time to get fancy with your lyrics. We're diving into metaphor, simile, and hyperbole: then leveling up with adjectives, idioms, intensifiers, and oxymorons. This is where your lyrics go from "good" to "wait, did they just say that?"

Tuesday, July 21 • 5:00–6:30pm: Make Your Song Sing

Strong melody progressions, hooks that stick in people's heads, and dynamics that take listeners on a journey. This session is all about making your song feel like a song: not just words and chords stacked together.

Tuesday, August 18 • 5:00–6:30pm: Time to Rhyme

We've covered the basics of rhyme in the group program. Now it's time to get quirky. We'll explore unusual rhyming structures, internal rhymes, slant rhymes, and how to use them without sounding forced. Pro tip: Have your free MasterWriter trial (or student discount subscription) ready for this one.

All sessions include recordings, so if life gets in the way, you can catch up on your own time.

Ready to sign up? Grab your spot here: https://events.humanitix.com/lets-get-theoretical-songwriting-theory-series

Bundle discounts are available: and if you're subscribing to Still Werkin' (more on that in a sec), you'll get even bigger discounts stacked on top.

Offering #2: Still Werkin' Subscription – Your Monthly Songwriting Community

Here's the truth: You don't need another course. You need a practice.

Still Werkin' is a monthly songwriting subscription designed for anyone who wants to keep their creative practice alive without the pressure to be perfect. It's a welcoming, no-judgment space where you can generate ideas, finish songs, stay connected to a community of fellow songwriters, and remember that songwriting is something you do, not something you've finished learning.

Every Tuesday from 5:00–6:30pm, there's something happening. You can pick and choose what suits you each week, or dive into everything.

Here's the Weekly Schedule:

First Tuesday of the Month: Let's Write Session You'll get monthly prompts (with exercise worksheets for both music-first and lyrics-first processes). I'll write live to the prompt each session, so you can watch my process or write alongside me in the background. No pressure: just creativity in action.

Second Tuesday of the Month: Office Hours / Ask Me Anything Got big questions? Stuck on a tricky bridge? Not sure how to record a demo? This is your chance to ask anything. If there are no questions, we'll dive into song feedback instead.

Third Tuesday of the Month: Let's Get Theoretical These are the same deep-dive learning sessions I mentioned above. Depending on your subscription level, you'll get discounted or full access to these sessions as part of your membership.

Fourth Tuesday of the Month: Listening Session Share your songs for feedback from me and the community. Whether it's from the monthly prompt or something you've been working on, this is where you get constructive, supportive "can we beat that?" feedback to help your songs level up.

Still Werkin' Subscription Tiers

From a Distance – $10/month Perfect if you want to stay connected but aren't ready to commit to live sessions yet. ✅ Monthly writing prompts + worksheets (music-first or lyrics-first options) ✅ 25% discount on Let's Get Theoretical sessions/packages ✅ Submit songs to monthly Listening Sessions ✅ Community chat to share songs and inspiration

Move on Up – $20/month For songwriters who want more hands-on support and learning. ✅ Monthly Let's Write Sessions (live 1.5-hour sessions) ✅ Submit questions to Office Hours / AMA sessions ✅ 50% discount on Let's Get Theoretical sessions/packages ✅ Submit songs to monthly Listening Sessions ✅ Community chat to share songs and inspiration

Lose Yourself – $40/month The full experience: designed for songwriters who are all in. ✅ Monthly Let's Write Sessions (live 1.5-hour sessions) ✅ Submit questions to Office Hours / AMA sessions ✅ FULL ACCESS to all 6 Let's Get Theoretical sessions (for less than the price of the standalone package!) ✅ Submit songs to monthly Listening Sessions ✅ Community chat to share songs and inspiration

Whether you're gently staying connected or fully immersing yourself in the process, Still Werkin' helps you keep the pen moving, build confidence, and stay part of a community that speaks the same creative language.

Learn more and sign up here: https://mailchi.mp/a8aa99db01fb/swfnsw-still-werkin-subscriptions

Got Questions? Join the Free Q&A

I know deciding between subscription tiers and session packages can feel overwhelming. That's why I'm hosting a free Q&A on Tuesday, February 24th from 5:00–6:30pm for anyone interested in these offerings.

Come ask your questions, hear what other songwriters are curious about, and get a feel for what these programs are really like before you commit to anything.

Register here: https://events.humanitix.com/swfnsw-alumni-opportunities-q-and-a

Keep the Momentum Going

Look, I get it. Life is busy. Songwriting can feel like a luxury when you've got a million other things on your plate. But here's what I've learned: creativity doesn't thrive when it's treated like a "someday" project. It thrives when it's woven into your routine: even if that routine is just one Tuesday night a month.

You've already proven you can write songs. Now it's time to prove you can keep going. Whether that's through structured deep dives, a supportive monthly community, or both: you've got options.

And the best part? No pressure. No perfection. Just progress.

See you on a Tuesday soon.

( Ben)