Songwriting Lessons

PRIVATE SONGWRITING LESSONS

Express your creativity through songwriting!

What does it take to become your own one-of-a-kind songwriter? Jonathan Kasper offers a program of study to help you turn that idea or tune running through your head into a complete song in any style.

Nashville is the songwriting capital of the world. If you live in Music City, you know this is the place where you can tap into your imagination and discover the magic of songwriting.

Jonathan is an accomplished songwriter and independent recording artist who excels at teaching the multi-faceted craft of writing songs. To hear samples of his original music, visit his website at http://jonathankasper.com/home.htm

Jonathan has studied with renowned songwriters from the Golden Era of American pop and rock (Jack Keller, Sheila Davis).

His educational and performance background includes the Great American Songbook, Broadway, Jazz, Pop and Rock, the Blues, Classical Art Song, Bossa Nova.

Adults and kids who write songs develop:

  • improved reading and writing
  • creative expressiveness
  • critical thinking
  • communication skills
If you play piano and would like to study songwriting, consider taking some Piano Lessons with Jocelyn Kasper to improve your playing technique and knowledge of music theory. She encourages budding composers to experiment with improvisation and composition. You may then transfer your enrollment to study songwriting with Jonathan Kasper.

Let’s get started!

We recommend that you fill out our easy online Enrollment Application as a first step. Or feel free to give us a call: 615-383-8516. Once we’ve received your completed application, we can schedule an initial lesson.

Enroll Now!

“Words & Music by …”

Jonathan’s songwriting curriculum includes comprehensive instruction in both music composition and lyric writing.

Create moments of high tension and interest in your songs. Appreciate the value of repetition for better chord progressions, melodies, and lyrics.

Songwriting students learn:

  • music theory and chord theory for the guitar
  • how melody and harmony work together to make great songs
  • chord progressions that help your songs stand out
  • rhythm patterns and tempi for different musical styles

Compose like the pros by using common song forms, such as:

  • Verse/Chorus
  • AABA
  • 12-bar Blues
  • Strophic
  • Understand the difference between song lyrics and poetry.
  • Tell a complete story in under four minutes by utilizing lyrical drama to arc a song from beginning through middle to end.
  • Understand the importance of a hook line, or title line, where to place it, and how many times to repeat it.
  • Employ a twist to convey the element of surprise.
  • Use literary devices such as metaphor and alliteration to make your songs sparkle. Have fun with onomatopoeia and rhyme.

Students are accepted to Kaspermusic Conservatory based on their level of commitment to studying music. They will be expected to enroll in regular weekly lessons and remain in the studio for at least one full academic school year, 30 weeks, September through April. Additional lessons may be scheduled for the summer months.

Students choose either Private or Small Group Songwriting Lessons*, depending on scheduling and other considerations. Make your selection when registering on our interactive Enrollment Application

Enroll Now!

GROUP SONGWRITING LESSONS

Students are also welcome to take shared lessons with friends or family members. Small Group Songwriting Lessons* are an exciting way for children and adults to explore their creativity with peers. The curriculum allows for both structured learning and free-flowing inspiration.

Teens and adults will learn music theory, which will enable them to play basic chords in several keys on the guitar. For more playing techniques, see what’s offered in Jonathan’s Guitar Lessons and Jocelyn’s Piano Lessons.

When teaching songwriting to children, Jonathan takes a less technical and more playful approach which includes many of the individual and group activities developed in Kaspermusic’s popular summer Songwriting Camp. Mr. and Mrs. Kasper team teach a week-long camp for kids who love to write songs.

At our conservatory, we love planting seeds of musical excellence and watching our talented sprouts grow.

  • taken once a week
  • approximately 30/45 minutes in length
  • grouped according to age and level
  • payable by semester based on a 30-week academic year commitment

All songwriting students are invited to perform for friends and family in an informal recital at the end of the school year (late April/early May).

To get started with lessons, please fill out our easy online Enrollment Application. See additional information on Small Group Lessons in the blue box below*.

*Small Group vs. Private Lessons

Sometimes parents wonder how Small Group Lessons can be as effective or even more so than the private lessons they are familiar with from their own childhoods.

While one-on-one instruction is appropriate in certain situations, learning with friends in a small group can result in surprisingly fast progress. Children tend to excel with peer learning, and music lessons are no exception. You’ll see improved social and cognitive skills like listening, demonstrating, cooperation and good behavior.

Healthy competition is fostered when students hear their peers accomplishing something they thought was impossible. Children learn to stay on task whether the spotlight is on them or not. They learn self-reliance and master practice skills throughout the lesson.

Students are regularly challenged to surpass expectations and are encouraged to prepare for and participate in informal performances and fun, year-end recitals for family and friends. Parents appreciate and children flourish with our low-pressure approach.

The keys to successful and rewarding music-making include: regular attendance, sufficient home practice, preparation of assignments, personal responsibility and mutual respect. Follow these steps consistently, and you and your child will reap the benefits of professional music training.

Contact us

Testimonials

Ella has really enjoyed the camp! Thank you

- M. G.

Grace is having a great time and came home last night wanting to play more guitar!

- J. S.

You have always been a constant in my life for the past 11 years. I am so grateful for all you have taught me, not only musically but in life as well. Taking lessons with you has helped me break out of my shell and become more confident in myself.

- R. M.

[Joceyn Kasper] was such a great teacher and always so wonderfully positive! Never judged. I still remember things she taught me all those decades ago..these years I’ve found my voice again. Singing makes a person healthy and happy!

- J. R.

You are such a resource and inspiration to my being.

- H. S.

I got a book a while back: "A Classical Approach to Jazz Piano." I looked closely at it in the store, to be sure that I could deal with it, and thanks to my brief tenure with Jocelyn Kasper, I saw that I could.

- B. T.

I loved my lessons with Ms. Kasper. She always made me feel like a good piano player, even though I wasn't!

- A. J.

Thank you so much for teaching Jackson. He loved you as a teacher and he learned so much. He loves the instrument as a result and you were great with the kids! Thanks again,

- L. S.

Many thanks for your great teaching ability!! Carter very much enjoyed your class!

- A. C.

Glad to see that Graham enjoys this and is actually learning something (thanks to you!). I'll need to be better about helping him stick to a practice schedule. Thanks again,

- R. I.

Thanks for a great year. Kiran really enjoyed it and… is keen to buy an electric guitar.

- M. T.

Thank you so much for working with Mack this year. He has improved so much and he loves guitar! You do a great job with him. He needs direction and consistent discipline and he repsonds VERY WELL to you! It is amazing to see his interest and focus as you…

- B.F.H.

Thank you for a wonderful year!

- K. H.

Thank you so much for teaching my son… the guitar. Will loved taking lessons and I enjoyed watching his growing appreciation for music. I enjoyed the recital and appreciate all the hard work you have done. Thank you so much for all you added to our lives.

- J. H. H.

Landon loved his first lesson. I was amazed how much he learned in a 30 minute lesson. :)

- M. C.

You are the best teacher ever and if I am doing well it is due to YOU!

- S. M. R.

Ethan would love to continue guitar lessons with you in the Fall. Thank you for all that you've done. I am amaized at the results, considering how little Ethan practiced at home! Thanks again,

- M. T.

Thanks so much for teaching Henry this past semester. He really enjoyed it.

- J. Mc.

Thanks for a great lesson today… just when you think you have a piece down pat, there are so many more ways to improve it and make it ever more musical!

- D. N.

Thanks for your very clear explanations and instructions and your encouragement and great enthusiasm for life and MUSIC!

- H. S.

Thanks for teaching Will. He loves your class.

- C. M.

After one short lesson, MacGregor jumped into the car and played the theme from Mission Impossible ALL THE WAY HOME! Thank you for opening the world of music to him - by teaching him the guitar!

- J. M.

I am a former voice student of Jocelyn Kasper. I can say without a doubt she helped me to become a more confident singer. I wholehearted recommend her to anyone.

- T. W.

I sang some this morning for the first time since my last lesson and it was so relaxing, it is amazing what singing and music in general can do for one's psychology!

- D. N.

Jolie really loved music class and absolutely loves to sing.

- C. S. G.

I have enjoyed seeing olivia progress over the year. she's more confident, she sings from her diaphragm, proudly projecting! it's great to see her enthusiasm. i'm grateful for your instruction and guidance.

- A. N.

Your relationship with Fiona is very special. She admires you very much.

- N. M.

Thank you so much for all your support and understanding yesterday, it helped very much to just be able to talk to you about it.

- D. N.

I've learned so much from you, not only about singing and music, but about life! Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

- H. H.

Thank you for teaching me how to sing better! I've had so much fun during voice lessons.

- J. M.

Cannot express my gratitude at having you in my life!!

- G. F.

I enjoyed our summer lessons with Schubert. You opened up a treasure trove for me I never even knew existed.

- D. N.

Jocelyn, you've taught me so much. You're a great teacher and I'm going to miss you.

- M. W.

I asked him yesterday if he wanted to keep taking guitar and he said "yes mam' as long as I can I want to!!" That is very encouraging!

- B. F. H.

Thank you for never giving up on me! You are the best :-)

- A. S.

... a wonderful voice lesson ... I feel I am learning so much ... about what singing really means!

- D. N.

Thank you for your encouragement. I feel like I have a voice after your excellent, precise, professional instruction. You are a master ...

- S. M. R.