Let me tell you what sets us apart from other schools like Berklee, the Songwriting Academy, monthly, skillshare, udemy, or masterclass.
Here’s the short version: We break songwriting down to a science. We like to work with formulas, blueprints and canvases. When I was a kid, I wanted to be a detective, and that’s what songwriting is to me: it’s an enormous puzzle box, and I wanna show you how to find the murderer, how to crystallize the essence of your demo. So there’s wonder, there’s mystery and there’s secrets. It’s a journey to the other side of the curtain, to see how songwriting and production actually work. You won’t find what you learn here anywhere else. This is the most practical, most advanced songwriting course in the world. Let’s go into a little more detail.
Here’s 3 things that make us unique:
#1: We take the craft seriously. REALLY seriously. If you study songwriting long enough, you end up seeing the same advice over and over again. There is very little truly original content out there; most teachers simply regurgitate what they heard elsewhere. Let me summarize hundreds of songwriting books, YouTube videos and university classes for you in 30 seconds:
- Put your highest melody in the chorus
- Your sections must contrast one another
- Be more specific with your lyrics
- You need hooks, everywhere and all the time
- Repeat everythingAnd no matter what you do, be authentic
🙄Not only are most of these tips terribly vague, some of them are flat out wrong, or they’re only half true. I can’t be the only one who is frustrated by that. There is so much more to learn and experience than “repeat stuff” (general advice like that gets you nowhere). If you’ve ever wanted to dive in deep, we’ll give you the specific advice you need to actually know what you’re doing. We’ll show you the unsung heroes of songwriting, like the science of groove, how to use structure to tell your story, or how to write lyrics that sound great. And then we’ll practice it all in our SongLabs.
We’re also the only school to look at songwriting holistically. Writing lyrics, chords and melody on paper was yesterday. Almost nobody works like that anymore. Today, we are producers, artists and sound designers. We work with DAWs, Splice and AI, to give us an edge. We don’t dwell on the past and we don’t worry about current trends. We look to the future.
The age of the specialist is coming to an end. The future is holistic. The better you understand what you’re doing when you write songs, the easier it is to adapt and do something completely unique. Forget trend hunting. Let’s figure out what you have to say and get it out there.
#2: We Trust Facts Over Common Knowledge. In some countries it’s shameful to be a teacher. I’m sure you’ve heard of: Those who can’t, teach. Well, I actually really love, and am proud to be, a teacher. To me, it’s the natural next step after mastering my craft: paying it forward, showing others how to do it.
But here’s the problem with 99% of teachers:
- They’re ashamed of teaching, so they don’t put any work into becoming a better teacher.
- They can only teach you their unique style. You can learn how to write like Charlie Puth, but there is already a Charlie Puth out there, and you’re always going to live in his shadow if you do that.
- And worst of all: Most teachers speak from intuition instead of research.
So let me tell you why we’re different: Since 2015, this is what I do. I’m dedicating my life to making this the best place for learning how to make songs you’ve ever seen, on OR offline. I have analyzed thousands of pieces of music, and wrote several hundred myself. Since 2019, I’ve been experimenting heavily. Figuring out the true inner workings of music. You’ll come to know many of these experiments inside HSA. Things like programming a kick and bass and seeing how the groove changes if you move one of the notes, or make it louder. This, combined with the intuition I’ve amassed by being a professional musician since I was 16 years old, has led to a unique set of principles and techniques that you’ll find nowhere else. And they’re based on research, not my personal preferences in music. I’m not an elitist, I don’t think jazz and country are the only genres worth listening to, and I think all music has value. Except for Schlager. Fuck Schlager. Our alumni come from pop, rock, hip hop, RnB, EDM, jazz, metal, country, folk, musicals, film music and many others. What unites us isn’t a style, it’s our love for the craft.
#3: We’re a True Songwriting School. A lot of songwriting and music production schools focus on what I call “business songwriting”: When it comes to actual songwriting technique, they do the bare minimum. There is very little talk about how to actually write a song. Their big selling point is that you’ll write a hit or make tons of money. That’s not what we do. You won’t learn how to game the system or the “one simple trick” to get you into the charts here. This is marketing nonsense, not songwriting. What we CAN do, and better than anyone else, is show you how to write the songs that keep people’s attention and hence have a much better change of keeping you in the charts.
Let’s slow down here for a second and talk about something that we don’t talk about enough, which is your Why. Are you really in this for the money? I get that you need to make a living. I get that fame is appealing. But why are you writing songs instead of selling vacuum cleaners for a living?
I am so sick and tired of going to music conferences and songwriting camps, and all people talk about is money, and the industry, and how AI will ruin everything. If you’re at all like me, it’s not like quitting is an option. Songwriting isn’t something you do. It’s something you are. It’s not something you CAN do, it’s something you MUST do, or you’ll go insane. If you love writing songs as much as I do, come work with us. We’re not in it for the short term, we’re here to make a difference, to help you develop yourself as an artist, to help you tell your story, through your songs.
MICHAEL MATICS
Music Producer, 1M+ listeners on Spotify
Unleash the infectious power of rhythm with our MIDI drum programming course. Transform your tracks into dynamic grooves that will get heads nodding and feet tapping.
Elevate your compositions from simple sketches to fully-fledged sonic journeys. Learn the art of arranging elements in your track for maximum impact.
The snare drum can make or break your beat. Learn how to craft snare patterns that add flair, energy, and drive to your tracks.
Master the heart-thumping pulse of your music – the kick drum. Craft kick patterns that give your tracks a powerful foundation.
Elevate your rhythm with the often-underestimated hihat. Discover how this versatile element can infuse your music with energy and character.
Blend the rhythmic elements together for a driving, irresistible groove that sets your music on fire.
Keep your listeners engaged with unexpected twists and turns in your rhythms. Elevate your compositions with surprise elements that command attention.
Unleash your creativity with intricate, complex rhythms that make your tracks stand out in any genre.
Craft captivating rhythm sections that lay the groundwork for your musical masterpieces. Learn to create basslines, chords, and drum arrangements that groove with authority.
Dive into the anatomy of hit songs. Uncover the secrets behind great tracks, dissecting the layers, textures, and techniques that make music stand out.
Music is an emotional journey. Explore how to evoke feelings, memories, and connections through your compositions.
Learn how to create suspense, build anticipation, and deliver satisfying musical resolutions that keep your listeners engaged.
Craft harmonically rich chord progressions that add depth and sophistication to your tracks.
Take your harmonies beyond the ordinary. Discover how non-diatonic harmony can add complexity and intrigue to your music.
Infuse your melodies with groove, making them irresistible and memorable to anyone who hears them.hello
Learn the secrets to creating melodies that tug at the heartstrings and stay in your listeners' minds long after the music has stopped.
Elevate your tracks with captivating arrangements that bring in-depth textures and emotions.
Music is a powerful narrative tool. Learn how to weave stories into your songs, captivating your listeners from the first note.
Elevate your songwriting by infusing your lyrics with depth and meaning that resonates with your listeners on a profound level.
Learn how to seamlessly blend your lyrics and melodies, creating a symbiotic relationship that enhances both elements.
The eagerly anticipated follow-up to the groundbreaking course that revolutionized songwriting. Stay tuned for more details!
Dive into the sonic landscape and learn how to manipulate space and sound for a captivating listening experience.
Get your tracks from idea to reality in record time. Master the art of fast and efficient music production.
Unlock the mysteries of music theory, demystifying complex concepts and empowering you with the knowledge to craft musical magic.
Challenge yourself to create a complete song in just 24 hours, tapping into your creativity in a whole new way.
Sharpen your musical ear with exercises designed to train your listening skills and take your music to the next level.
GRAYSON ERHARD
Singer/Songwriter, 6M+ listeners on Spotify
STEVE B.
Writer
Writing songs by yourself can be a daunting task. It can be overwhelming. It can be difficult. And if there’s nobody there to hold you accountable, it’s easy to just give up.
Even if you’re already a skilled writer, making the first step to writing a song can be hard. You can have writer’s block. You can get stuck. You can fall into depression.
This is why we’ve created SongLabs, a series of three weekly zoom calls. Here, you can interact with our professional coaches and other students, find co-writers and become a part of the community. And we don’t just hang out together! We want you to get busy writing songs– that’s what HSA is all about!
Each Lab is centered around a specific theme: There’s groove, pitch and story labs, which are all about deepening and applying what you’ve learned in our courses. Usually, your coach will give you an assignment and half an hour later, you compare your results with the other students.
There’s production labs, where we dive into the world of sound design, mixing and music production. This is also where we look at new songwriting tools, such as AI or new plugins.
And then there’s the feedback lab, where our coaches give you detailed notes on your song. Our feedback has been called one of the best features in all of HSA, and we are a small enough community that we can guarantee that your song will be reviewed.
With these labs, you have three one-hour calls every week keeping you accountable, motivating you to put in the hours. Even if you decide not to watch a single course, with SongLabs, you have three weekly appointments to hone your craft.
Improve your skills. Get inspired. Become a part of the community. With SongLabs.
ERIC RYAN
Recording artist, 5M+ plays & 75.000 monthly listeners on Spotify
ASIA WARD
Writer, 10.000 monthly listeners on Spotify
At Holistic Songwriting Academy, we always find new ways to inspire and motivate you along your journey. If you have the drive, the fire, the passion to go through HSA at top speed, we want to encourage that. This is why we’ve created the Adrenaline Rush Protocol, or A.R.P. for short. With A.R.P., you can reduce your costs for Holistic Songwriting Academy by as much as 75%.
Here’s how it works: In HSA Light, you get a course of your choice a month. Simple. In HSA Standard, you start your journey with a course of your choice, and you have to earn your next credit. You do this by completing the exercises and writing a song that shows what you’ve learned. Only then, once you’ve sent all this to our team for review, we’ll give you your next credit.
Note: you get a minimum of 1 credit/month
This way, you can unlock as many as four courses a month, or one a week. In other words: if you work hard, you get more courses and the program becomes cheaper. Or, if you prefer the stick to the carrot, think of it this way: For every week you don’t write a song, your price per course just went up.
This is for all you slackers out there, for those of you who let their songs go stale on their hard drives, who need to learn how to build speed. And it’s for those of you who love learning things but don’t put them into practice. Learning means changing your behavior. And at Holistic Songwriting Academy, that is what we do. With A.R.P.
Get your music on iTunes and Spotify | Collect Royalties | Get Heard
Writing songs is one thing, but how do you get them out into the world? That's what we address in this bonus course "Release Your Songs". Here's what you can expect to learn:
Protect your songs | Choose your distributor | Register with a PRO | Submit your music for sync | Releasing on Social Media | Pitching to playlists
Why do you have to unlock courses with credits (Audible model) instead of getting immediate access to everything (Netflix model)?
Three reasons:
1) Courses are unlocked for life. On sites such as Netflix, you lose all access once you cancel your subscription. With our courses, once unlocked, you’ll be able to watch them whenever you want, even years after your subscription has ended.
2) Updates are included. The world is changing quickly. With AI and other technical developments, courses can become obsolete. Not so with HSA: whenever you decide to watch one of our courses, rest assured you’re seeing the most current version of it.
3) Self-pacing. It’s tempting to watch all the courses at once. You’re hearing about all these secrets and techniques, it’s addicting. You will feel like you’re learning… but you’re not! Learning means changing your behavior, and information is only a small part of that. By slowing down the amount of information you get, we want to encourage you to take it slow and to actually apply what you’ve learned.
What we offer is so much more than a subscription to udemy or monthly. We’re not a “songwriting course”, we are a hub for songwriters and producers who want to master the art of writing and producing songs. This goes way further than giving you a little bit of information and wishing you good luck. This is why it makes more sense to compare us to universities like Berklee College of Music, where the total tuition cost is $45,467, or the Juilliard School, total tuition: $51,230.
See HSA not just as an expense, but as an investment in your passion and potential. The skills you'll acquire, the connections you'll form, and the growth you'll experience are invaluable assets that will stay with you throughout your musical journey.
When you join our course, you're not just gaining access to educational content; you're becoming a part of a supportive community of fellow songwriters. This network can provide insights, feedback, and collaborative opportunities that extend beyond the price you pay.
Our commitment to your growth means that we're consistently updating and enhancing our course content. By enrolling now, you secure access to future updates that will continue to enrich your learning experience.
We're committed to making our songwriting course accessible to individuals who are passionate about music and eager to learn. Your financial concerns are important to us, which is why we worked very hard to find a reasonable price point.
Don't let worries about subscription fees hold you back from exploring your songwriting potential. Join us today and embark on an enriching journey that fits within your budget.Ready to start composing your future? Enroll now and let the melody of your dreams begin.
Let’s take a look at why that is for a moment. Take a look at this graph.
Is this how you prioritize? You go through your to-do list and for each item, you think about how important and urgent it is? And then you swear to only complete tasks from the important/urgent quadrant.
These are tasks like answering emails, zoom calls or phone calls, meetings or paying your taxes. This is what most people do, and it seems logical: after all, you want to do the most pressing, most important thing at any given time, right?
Well, no. The sector you really want to focus on is this one: important, not urgent.
Because where do your big life goals, your meaningful projects go? Writing an album, starting your music career or practicing songwriting technique is never going to be urgent. They are all important, but none of them are urgent. This is why, if you're only thinking in terms of urgency, you're shooting yourself in the foot.
The question is, Where do you want to put your life’s focus? On the urgent/important pile, where other people dictate your life? Or on the important/not urgent pile, where you call the shots?
Start working on your craft now, or you’ll keep pushing it further and further back and then you’ll never do it.
Hi, I’m Friedemann Findeisen, creator of Holistic Songwriting Academy. I’ve been teaching people how to change their lives by empowering them to write awesome fucking songs. I help songwriters, musicians, producers and artists to find their message and express it in a way that resonates with others.
As a teacher: I started doing this in 2015, the year I got my Bachelor of Music. I released my bestseller “The Addiction Formula” in the same year (available on Amazon and Audible). In 2017, I released “The Artists Series” on YouTube, which has gathered millions of views and over 400,000 subscribers. In 2019, I did a kickstarter for “The Songwriting Decks”, which was funded at 238%. I teach one day a week at Artez, the biggest conservatory in the Netherlands, and I’m a frequent guest speaker at various universities around Europe and the United States.
As a songwriter: I have written and produced music in a lot of different styles (here is an old showreel). For my artist project Canohead, I mix influences from Metal with Indie Folk, Grunge, Jazz, Funk and Trip Hop. These days, I prefer helping others on their journey, but in the past, when I was more actively pursuing a music career, I wrote for Apple, Ubisoft, and my film music has gone to Cannes Film Festival. I come with the highest recommendations of Conrad Pope (John Williams’ orchestrator), Erwin Steijlen (Pink, Shakira) and Rene Merkelbach (Within Temptation).
Here’s the bottom line: Does my material help you or not? At the end of the day, that’s the question. Are you getting something out of it? Who I am should not matter in this. Some people put a lot of emphasis on credits, but fact is: there are many famous writers who can’t teach for shit. No, I am not a famous artist. I have never had a hit, nor have I attempted to write one. But I’m not teaching you to be me. I’m teaching you to be you. Listen to my stuff; it may not be your jam, but you can hear it’s made with passion and skill. And then ask yourself whether you’d rather want to work with someone famous or someone who’s passionate and skilled in helping you improve.
Join Holistic Songwriting Academy today and embark on a journey of songwriting education led by a mentor who's eager to unlock your full potential.
Every successful songwriter has, at some point, felt the same apprehensions you're experiencing now. Doubting your readiness and fearing inadequacy are natural emotions when stepping into uncharted territory. However, these feelings can also be a sign that you're on the brink of something truly extraordinary.
Holistic Songwriting Academy is carefully designed to cater to individuals of varying skill levels. Whether you're a seasoned musician looking to enhance your lyrical abilities or a beginner eager to compose your very first melody, we've tailored our curriculum to accommodate all stages of artistic development.
Here's why you're more prepared than you think:
Passion is Your Greatest Asset: Your enthusiasm for songwriting is the foundation on which your skills will grow. The desire to express yourself through music is a powerful motivator that can drive you to conquer any self-doubt.
The Talent Myth: Talent is not something you’re born with, it’s the result of discipline. The sooner you stop worrying about your genetic predisposition and start working on your craft, the sooner you’ll improve.
Growth Mindset: Our course is not just about teaching techniques; it's about nurturing a growth mindset. We believe that everyone has the potential to evolve as an artist, and our instructors are here to guide and support you every step of the way.
Safe and Supportive Community: You won't be alone on this journey. Our community of fellow songwriters is warm, welcoming, and understanding. Sharing your progress, asking questions, and seeking feedback will become invaluable tools in your growth.
Learning at Your Pace: We understand that life can get busy. Our course is designed to be flexible, allowing you to learn at your own pace and revisit modules whenever you need to. There's no rush – your growth is the priority.
Embracing Imperfection: Remember, every song starts as a rough draft. The process of learning involves making mistakes, experimenting, and refining your craft. Our course provides a judgment-free space for you to hone your skills.
Personalized Learning: Our instructors are not only experienced songwriters but also skilled educators. They are well-versed in adapting their teaching methods to suit individual learning styles, ensuring you receive the guidance you need.
Celebrating Progress: We celebrate progress over perfection. Each small step you take towards mastering the art of songwriting is an achievement worth acknowledging.
Enrolling in our online songwriting course is not about being the best; it's about investing in your growth and nurturing your creativity. Remember, even the most celebrated songwriters started somewhere. The key is to embrace the journey and have faith in your potential.Believe in yourself. Enroll now and let your songwriting flourish.
We understand that when it comes to online subscriptions, trust is paramount. It's completely natural to have reservations, especially when investing in something as personal as your creative growth. Allow us to address your concerns and provide you with the information you need to make an informed decision about our subscription-based songwriting course.
Here's why you can trust our subscription model:
Transparent Billing: We believe in clarity from the outset. Our subscription model comes with transparent pricing, clearly detailing what you'll pay and what you'll receive. No hidden fees, no surprises—just a straightforward commitment to your musical journey.
Flexibility at Your Fingertips: We understand that life can be unpredictable. That's why our subscription model is designed with flexibility in mind. You're in control of your subscription, and you can easily manage it according to your preferences, whether that's adjusting the plan, pausing it temporarily, or cancelling when you feel ready.
Continuous Value: Subscribing to our course means more than just access to the content—it's access to an evolving experience. We're committed to delivering fresh, engaging, and up-to-date lessons, resources, and insights on an ongoing basis. Your subscription ensures you're always equipped with the latest tools and techniques.
Dedicated Community: Being part of our subscription community means you're never alone on your journey. Engage with a network of fellow songwriters who are eager to share experiences, offer support, and collaborate. The connections you form here can enrich your creative process in ways you might not expect.
Cancel Anytime: We believe in earning your trust with the quality of our content and the value of our community. However, if at any point you feel that the subscription isn't aligning with your expectations, you have the freedom to cancel without any hassle. Your satisfaction is our priority.
Growing Together: As we evolve, you evolve with us. Your subscription not only supports your personal growth but also contributes to the growth of the course itself. Your feedback and engagement play a vital role in shaping the content we deliver.
We recognize that trust is built over time, and we're dedicated to proving our commitment to your growth. Our subscription model is designed to offer you a seamless, enriching, and hassle-free experience throughout your entire songwriting journey.
Give yourself the chance to explore your musical potential and be part of a community that shares your passion. Join our subscription-based songwriting course and experience the transformative power of consistent learning and collaboration.
Ready to put your fears behind you? Enroll today and let's start composing the next chapter of your musical story, together.
Not sure whether HSA is the right fit for you?
First of all, we teach students of all kinds. We’ve seen everything from 90 year olds to the deaf (that’s the reason we have video transcriptions now). Everybody is welcome.
Secondly, you can choose from our wide range of courses to find the one that best suits your needs and skill level.
And if you’re still not sure: How about you try one of our courses first? We have a course specifically for this purpose: The 24-Hour Song, which shows you how to write better songs faster. The 24-Hour song started as an HSA course and we only decided recently that we would make it available to the public, to give you an idea what to expect.
Get that and go through it. If you like it, you’ll like Holistic Songwriting Academy. It’s that simple.
The 24-hour Song is the perfect starting point in your journey with Holistic Songwriting, as it answers all of the most important questions of songwriting in one course:
- How to finish four albums a year
- Enjoy songwriting like you used to
- Only write songs you like, and more songs you love!
- Stop feeling like an impostor
- Eliminate Writer’s Block
- Finish your songs, even the hard ones
- Find the time to write
- Know when your song is finished
- Make killing your darlings easy
- How to stop falling in love with your shitty demos
- Write your best song yet
- Write more unique and authentic songs
JOSHUA STARKEY
Writer
ADRIAN EITENEUER
Writer
Today, HSA is just about the only thing you can buy on our website.
So what happened to our old courses?
The Hook Checklist, the Lyric-Writing Master Files, the Hook&Melody Master Files, Drum-Writing for Non-Drummers, Geek Free Music Production, Nippy Noya’s Groove Masterclass, our Quickfix Courses, the 30-Day Ear Training Challenge, the 7 Day Hit Song Program?
...Over 26 hours of content: discontinued, every last second.
Even though these courses were popular, even though we spent years making them, what really matters to us is student development. So we have put our focus on the content that has had the biggest impact on our students, in one word: HSA.
This is my way of making the world of music a better, more enlightened place. It is the very best I have to offer, and I hope it will become more to you than just something you once watched on the internet.
I’ve seen people change their life’s course because of these songwriting lessons. If you are struggling with the world, or yourself, all the love in the world is not going to make a difference. But music, though? I think it can.
Stay gefährlich,
Friedemann