The band, Junkyard Jane, has implemented a workshop for adult beginners and school-aged children interested in writing their own music from a “non-theory” perspective.  The workshop is led by female vocalist, Leanne Trevalyan, four-time “Best Songwriter” nominee and Summy Award recipient for “Female Performer of the Year,” and Billy Stoops, BB Award “Entertainer of the Year” and "Best Male Vocalist.” Over the years, Junkyard Jane has taught these workshops as part of “Blues in the Schools” around the Northwest.

First, the core instruments of the group are introduced: vocals, guitar, bass, and drums.

The rhythm section (bass player and drummer) demonstrates a variety of beats or “grooves” loosely associated with the blues genre, including; funk, swing, train beats, rumbas, shuffles, slow blues, surf beats and rockabilly.

Song keys are then demonstrated by the guitarist with emphasis on the different feelings evoked or implied with the major and minor keys.

General songwriting methods are explained such as; taking poetry and putting the words to a cord progression, writing instrumental music and then adding lyrics, or just ad-libbing.

Useful songwriting tools such as a dictionary, thesaurus and rhyming dictionary are a focus, as well as basic song formats such as the verse, chorus, and bridge.

Subject matter options of the song to be written are briefly discussed and brainstormed with the class.

THE BIG FINALE

In a “hands-on fashion,” the class gets to take part in the writing process as they choose:

A. The groove, beat or rhythm of the song

B. The song key

C.  The subject matter of the song

The new composition, co-written with the help of the students, is then ad-libbed on the spot and performed by Junkyard Jane.