1st lesson free
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Sam
- Rate R1656
- Response 1h
R1656/h
Contact
1st lesson free
- Songwriting
- Musicology
- Orchestration
Award-winning television composer and singer-songwriter teaches commercial songwriting and hybrid production through real-world industry mentorship
- Songwriting
- Musicology
- Orchestration
Lesson location
About Sam
Hi, I’m Sam! I am an award-winning singer-songwriter, composer, and music industry professional with over a decade of experience navigating the New York and Los Angeles music scenes. Whether you want to write your very first song, master the digital workflows of Logic and Pro Tools, explore tactile analog tape setups, or get professional feedback on a commercial mix, I am here to help you unlock your unique sound.
My career has allowed me to wear almost every hat in the business. I have toured internationally, worked as a radio DJ, and spent years as a booking agent working with everything from rising indie talent to national touring acts. Because I have sat on every side of the desk, I have spent a lifetime training my ears to hear what makes a song truly connect. I don't just look at music through a theoretical lens; I understand the actual industry landscape and what it takes to get music made, heard, and licensed.
When you study with me, you are getting real-world, industry-tested mentorship from someone actively working in the field today.
My Industry Highlights & Credentials:
Recognized Songwriter & Artist: WFUV named me one of the Top 5 Indie Artists in New York City, and Little Steven Van Zandt championed my single Barbed Wire as the "Coolest Song in the World" on SiriusXM.
TV & Film Composer: I actively write, vocalize, and compose original score work for major international television media, including hit BBC series like Death in Paradise and Beyond Paradise.
Legacy & Contemporary Collaborations: I have been incredibly fortunate to record, perform, and collaborate with a massive range of iconic artists, including Ronnie Spector, The Zombies, Al Jardine of The Beach Boys, Patty Smyth, and folk legend Pete Seeger, as well as contemporary indie acts like Frankie Cosmos.
Producer & Audio Engineer: I just finished tracking a brand-new LP with legendary producer John Agnello (Sonic Youth, Kurt Vile, Dinosaur Jr.). I specialize in a hybrid workflow, blending modern digital precision with classic analog 4-track tape recording.
My goal as a mentor is to skip the rigid textbook drills and give you the practical creative habits, shortcuts, and secrets that top professionals use every day. No matter where you are starting from, let's take your music exactly where you want it to go. Let's get to work!
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About the lesson
- All levels
- English
Languages in which the lesson is available :
English
My teaching style is completely project-based and collaborative. I don't do rigid, boring music theory lessons or textbook drills. Instead, think of our remote sessions like a virtual studio hang. We will look at your tracks and lyrics together in real time using high-quality screen sharing and audio streaming so we can hear everything clearly.
Because I am actively working in the industry scoring for BBC shows and producing records, I teach the actual creative habits, shortcuts, and workflows used in professional studios today. We will focus entirely on what you want to create, making complex production or writing concepts feel intuitive and fun.
A Typical Lesson Plan
We keep things structured but flexible during our sixty minutes online:
The First 10 Minutes: We do a quick creative check-in where we listen to your latest demo, read your new lyrics, or pull up a mix you are working on to see where you are at.
The Next 30 Minutes: We dive into a specific technique. That could mean breaking down a hook, fixing a clunky arrangement, dialing in a vocal performance, or mastering a shortcut in Logic or Pro Tools.
The Next 15 Minutes: We apply it together in real time. We will co-write a section or tweak a mix screen-to-screen so you can hear the difference instantly.
The Final 5 Minutes: We map out a clear blueprint and a manageable goal for you to play around with before our next session.
What Sets Me Apart
I bridge the gap between classic, old-school songwriting and modern production. My background is pretty unique because I have worn a lot of different hats in this industry:
Objective Industry Ears: Aside from being an active artist, I have worked as a radio DJ and a former booking agent and manager. Having that background means I have spent years training my ears to objectively analyze music, understand what makes a track connect, and listen to almost any genre with a critical eye.
Recognized Songwriting Craft: WFUV named me one of the Top 5 Indie Artists in New York City, and Little Steven Van Zandt championed my track Barbed Wire as the Coolest Song in the World on SiriusXM.
Elite Collaborations: I have been lucky enough to collaborate and work with everyone from legends like Ronnie Spector, The Zombies, Al Jardine of The Beach Boys, Patty Smyth, and Pete Seeger, right through to contemporary indie artists like Frankie Cosmos.
Because I navigate all these different worlds, I can help you find your specific sonic identity, whether you love raw analog tape vibes or slick, modern digital pop.
Who These Lessons Are For
I work with people at every single stage of their musical journey, and distance does not matter since we are entirely remote.
Absolute Beginners: People just dipping their toes into songwriting who have a notebook full of lyrics or melodies in their head but do not know how to turn them into actual songs.
Intermediate Creators: Musicians and bedroom producers who want to break out of a creative rut, level up their audio engineering, or learn how to structure a track for sync licensing.
Working Professionals: Active artists and industry peers who just want a trusted, experienced second pair of ears on their mix, arrangement, or track production before sending it off to master.
If you are ready to make some music and elevate your craft, grab a spot and let us get to work.
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Rates
Rate
- R1656
Package rates
- 5h: R8280
- 10h: R16560
online
- R1656/h
free lesson
The free first lesson with Sam allows you to get to know the tutor and discuss your needs and expectations.
- 1h
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