SoundLab: Create Your Own Hits

Greetings Writers,

First, I want to say how proud I am of the direction things are moving! I know this process is new and can sometimes feel challenging, but that’s part of growing as a creative artist. You’re stepping into new territory — and I’m excited to see how your ideas continue to take shape.

🌟 Recap from Last Week

Last week, we made great progress by narrowing down:

• The overall direction and meaning of the song

• The form and structure

Greetings Musicians, @Rosabella Mina @Kiruba Collins @Jocelyn Mejia @Alex Olson @Michele A. Olson @Kailiee @Rosa Mina

We’ve had a very productive start as we explore the fundamentals of songwriting and composition. Over the past few rehearsals, we’ve focused on building the essential foundations that will support your creative process as we begin crafting original music together. Each week, new layers are added—so it’s important to review and strengthen every step along the way.

Here’s a quick recap of what we’ve covered so far:

• Functional Harmony – Understanding how chords and progressions create emotion and structure.

• Lyric Writing – Continue journaling and refining your ideas. Your lyrics should show your message through imagery and descriptive language, not simply tell the listener what to feel.

• The Groove – We discussed the three key parts:

Greetings Musicians and Parents,

I hope your weekend has been productive and refreshing. We’re continuing to review and grade music assessments, and we’ve identified a few key areas where we can all improve. To support your progress, I’ve created a quick practice cheat sheet for you to reference during your sessions.

The numbers are written specifically for piano players, but the notes apply across all pitched instruments.

A gentle reminder: every lesson must begin with the Circle of 4ths scale exercise. We want these patterns to become second nature. Use the reference sheet during practice, but remember — you’ll need to memorize your scales. Music is built on scales, and understanding them makes it much easier to recognize patterns and play with confidence.

Please make use of these notes, come prepared for rehearsals starting this week, and ensure all assignments are complete.

Parents: Please plan to join us for the first five minutes of rehearsal…

Greetings Sound Lab Group,

I’m beyond excited for us to begin this journey together. Though our group is small, you are the pioneers of this program—and that makes you mighty.

As songwriters, talent is only part of the equation. Great songs come from reflection, honesty, and a clear message. Before we play a single note, I want you to take inventory of yourselves. Ask: What matters to me? What do I enjoy, dislike, or feel deeply about? Journal these thoughts and bring them with you. We’ll share, discover common threads, and use them as creative fuel.

Songs often spring from lived experiences. For example, Deep Purple’s classic Smoke on the Water was born from a real fire they witnessed in Montreux. That single moment became one of the most iconic songs in rock. Inspiration can come from anywhere—your job is to notice it.

This week, jot down experiences or moments that made…