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Global
Songwriters
Network
Songwriters - Artists
Songwriting Courses - Retreats - Masterclasses
You’ve written a great and commercial song and made an amazing demo. Now what? It’s time to get the song – and maybe yourself as the artist – out there. But how?
Tough question, with no easy answers. But at least I know the hard answers, and I can help. I will guide you through what it takes and how the music business works: the steps necessary to become a successful artist or songwriter, writing and producing songs and music for film and t.v., live performance, and the arcane areas of music publishing and record deals – pretty much anything relating to the creation of music for commercial usages or presentation of yourself as an artist or a songwriter.
I will provide all the answers and help in all areas: generating and developing your ideas, lyrics, music, the difference between writing for yourself as an artist and writing for someone else, what makes a great lyric and melody and how to make collaborations work. I will show how you to avoid the common pitfalls such as lyrical cliches and “old” chord structures, and how to be ready when – as often happens – you are called upon to make changes to your music quickly, even in the studio while a song is being recorded. And always, we will keep our eyes on the ball of writing something that is not only great but also contemporary and commercial.
Join me and let us write that hit song! Jud Friedman.
ALL LEVELS of experience more than welcome from experienced Songwriters / artists / producers to just starting outs! Team work makes the Dream work!
SONGWRITING RETREAT / WORKSHOP IN SPAIN
WITH JUD FRIEDMAN
4 - 7 March 2023
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At FORT INGLES - Alhurin Andalusia a fairy tale castle villa surrounded by Breathtaking mountain views and only minutes from the stunning beaches of the Costa del Sol.. enjoy the heated pool- hot tub- games room- 360 views- Castle Turret- Wonderland giant checker board- beautiful gardens and terraces where you can watch the magnificent sunrise and sunsets... so inspiring...
come join us for Great fresh food. Sangria, Lot of FUN! and so much more!!
let's write some hit songs!
Hopefully see you soon in Spain :)
Jud
Deb
Biography
Jud Friedman is a 6-time Grammy, Oscar, Golden Globe nominated, award-winning, Billboard No.1 Hit songwriter and Producer
My family still claims I sang and played music before I talked.
Well, who knows…but it’s a great story for holiday dinners. But for sure the music has always been in me. I grew up in New York and Connecticut and went to Yale and Harvard Law School (long story…),
all the while playing in various bands,performing in musical theater, and writing songs. After headlining a show in New York City I had an epiphany –I loved performing, but I didn’t crave it or the limelight
the way I think you need to if you want to be a star. What I really craved was….to make music. And I realized I could do it for other people. So I moved to Los Angeles and started honing my writing and producing craft. After several years, I had my first Number One hit as a writer and arranger: “I Don’t Have The Heart” by James Ingram. And the ball was rolling. Next, Whitney Houston recorded “Run To You” for her film “The Bodyguard”. I made the record with David Foster, worked on producing Whitney’s vocals and even sang backgrounds with her. “Run To You” was nominated for an Oscar and a Grammy. Then I wrote “For The First Time” for the film “One Fine Day” with Michelle Pfeiffer and George Clooney. Kenny Loggins performed it and the song garnered another Oscar and Grammy and also a Golden Globe nomination.
Along the way, there were lots more hits and nominations, with amazing artists such as Barbra Streisand, Ray Charles, Tina Turner, Rod Stewart, Leann Rimes, Chaka Khan, Kristine W., Oleta Adams, Gladys Knight and Dave Koz. And recently, big records with Charice (“The Truth Is”), Toni Braxton (“If I Have To Wait”) and Kimberley Locke of American Idol fame, number one singles on the number one CDs of Italian divas Giorgia and Elisa, and songs recorded by massive pop/classical group The Tenors on their Juno-winning CD, Right Said Fred and many more. Also a couple of things for television: the theme song from the Michael Jackson show “Man In The Mirror” (“Believe In Me”) and the score for the t.v. film “The Prince and The Pizza Boy”, starring Joey Lawrence. (One of my biggest t.v. successes; I still get mobbed by little kids on the street. Haha.)
65 million records sold worldwide. At last count. Nominations for 2 Academy Awards, 2 Grammys, 2 Golden Globes and, for artists singing my songs, nominations for two more Grammys and a Soul Train Award.
In March 2016 The Grammy Museum did a special night celebrating the more than 25 year career of my long term songwriting partner Allan Rich and me. Check out the opening video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VSGzTu6NOcA.
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​*Song analysis
*Constructive feedback
*Music business Q&A
*Option of One Of Your Songs to Be Professionally Produced (If Desired)
*Collaborate With Others on The Retreat
*Co-Writing with Jud's Oversight
*Positive and Constructive Help To Make Your Songs The Best They Can Be
*Writing for TV Show or Film- Sync Placements
*Learn the steps to break through to musical stardom as an artist and/or writer
*One-on-One Sessions with Jud
*Record a working demo
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Endorsements
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“Jud and I have worked together since the beginning of our respective careers. He’s actually one of the first songwriters that peermusic signed after I started with the firm. The man knows how to write hit songs!
In fact, he should give lessons on the perfect structure of writing pop hits. On top of his creative talent, he has a wicked intelligence and a great sense of humor.”
–Kathy Spanberger President and Chief Operating Officer, peermusic
"The best thing about Jud is his passion. Not just for music but for people. He is one of the rare kinds of individuals in the music industry that truly cares. He knows that helping others become successful is rewarding on both a business and a personal level and that's what you truly need".
Steven Gould.
REVIEWS
London- March 2019
I attended this great songwriting course at the beautiful Alice’s Loft studio in Wandsworth. Jud Friedman from L.A, songwriter extraordinaire mentored a group of 13 songwriters over 2 days on the art of writing a great song! Everyone was asked to bring songs that they had written or recorded and play them to the group. Jud critiqued each song in terms of song structure, lyrics and melody and gave us all constructive advice on how to improve our songs.
We were then given 2 very different exercises to encourage us to collaborate as songwriters. In the first exercise, we were divided into groups of three and asked to come up with a song in any genre. We were encouraged to be as free as possible and just experiment in this group setting and see what we came up at the end of 3 hours. There was no pressure to come up with finished songs but even outlines of songs, a verse, a chorus or a jam were encouraged. At the end of this session, each group played the songs or beginnings of songs they had come up with to the rest of the students. The feedback from fellow songwriters was always very encouraging and supportive.
In the second collaboration exercise, we were given a brief by Jud to try and write a track for a current artist. We were asked to choose an artist from a list, listen to their songs on YouTube and then try and write something in their style and for their musical personality.
Both exercises were challenging, stimulating and fun! Writing with a couple of other songwriters one had never met before was a novel, enriching, and instructive experience!
Tamara Barshchak
Everyone I talked to seemed to have the same opinion when traveling to the Workshop and that was that they would be the one with the worst song or least abilities. The truth was we were all hugely varied but all felt valued, supported and encouraged. The atmosphere was welcoming, challenging and nurturing. Jud was a wealth of information, sound advice and professional experience who made suggestions which he said we could accept or reject. He put us into groups, listened as we created and offered advice. We took the advice on board and approached our songwriting from a fresh, different angle. The results were exciting. We performed our songs, filled with bumbles and mistakes, to our new friends and then they followed suit.
The weekend was a fulfilling experience and one I would recommend without hesitation. .
Tom McCleary
I don't usually attend workshops much anymore, but from the recommendation of a friend thought I'd give the "Global Songwriters Network a shot." The two days were lead by Jud Friedman who turned out to be a fantastic songwriting coach and a great guy. We spent the weekend working on collaboration and our writing along with a lot of great insight from the master. I left thinking to myself, "that was really worth doing".
John McCormack
private lesson
As a thirteen-year-old singer/songwriter, it was just amazing to get to play my songs for Jud.
He was so encouraging and gave me really helpful feedback and tips about my music and lyrics.
I’m already seeing improvements in the way I write my songs and have really gotten so much out of the one on one session.
Conor Marcus
The way Jud interacted with my thirteen-year-old son was wonderful. He struck just the right balance of praise
and constructive criticism. Clearly a gifted teacher, he helped Conor to see what he was doing right and where he could improve.
We will definitely be back to work with Jud again soon.
Joe Marcus.
INTENSIVE SONGWRITING WORKSHOP
LA. 9/2018. REVIEWS
I had an incredible experience at the Global Songwriters Network workshop in September 2018! We got the chance to share our songs, receive priceless critical feedback, and engage in several new co-writing sessions, each with different flavors and ideas bouncing around! Jud's expertise, experience, and genuine desire to help songwriters grow and thrive in today's world of music enriched everyone's way of thinking, whether we were experienced or very new to the game. I highly recommend these experiences for their capacity to develop your craft in unique ways - such dedicated time, space, and collaboration in a supportive environment with highly experienced mentors is invaluable!
Shivan Bonano. Singer-Songwriter, Intensive workshop. LA 9/2018
Jud Friedman is an amazing teacher! He was able to listen to my songs and critique and give me some amazing pointers to make my song more commercial-friendly! Plus his knowledge of the business and getting songs placed was phenomenal! I would definitely do his workshop again! I made some great new friends with so many talented writers! It was just an amazing experience.
Shimmer Johnson. Singer-Songwriter, Producer. Intensive workshop. LA 9/2018
The Songwriters Retreat with Jud in Los Angeles was truly magical. In the space of just a couple of days, our group of kindred songwriters forged a bond of shared creativity and compassionate critique. We laughed, played, experimented, and dared to share and learn from others. We discussed the art of songwriting on levels micro, macro, and everything in between. The retreat gave us the opportunity to workshop individual works in progress, as well as ample time to collaborate and co-write through highly creative impromptu sessions. As a leader, Jud brings a brilliant mix of seasoned expertise and heartfelt openness to the creative energy of the moment. He fosters a safe, comfortable, and warmhearted learning space in which to cultivate inspired and high-quality work. Highly recommended to anyone looking to establish, improve, or master their songwriting abilities!!!
Andrea, Intensive workshop. LA 9/2018 Singer-Songwriter,
