Music/Recording Industry:
Faculty Spotlight

Larry Batiste on Teaching Songwriting

Larry Batiste is as a producer, vocalist, songwriter, publisher, instrumentalist, arranger, and educator. He is musical director for the Grammy Awards Pre-Telecast, and the TEC Awards. Larry co-owns Pure Delite Music and has written and published over 300 songs for artists such as Al Jarreau, Patti Austin, Shanice, Lisa Fischer, the Yellowjackets, the Dramatics, the Chi-Lites, Lenny Williams, and the Dazz Band. His songs have appeared in television shows such as Jag, Nash Bridges, Scrubs, Passions, The Young and The Restless, and All My Children. Larry's students have access to his expertise long after the class has commenced.

At the beginning of each semester, I get to know all my students' goals for the Songwriting class. For some students, becoming a great Songwriter is the primary goal, others want to learn about Songwriting as it relates to their pursuits. Since everyone in the class will perform their song, it's important we set the stage properly, so we operate from the premises: The Songwriter is never wrong.

In this class, everything is about getting to the next level, and that will be a different set of steps for each student as it relates to everyone's personal goals. We're providing an opportunity for students to connect and express themselves creatively, and carry their message to the world at large.

For example, we start the process by identifying key elements of hit records with the simple question: Why do you go out to by a record? Songs are mini-movies. There is an opening scene that sets the mood and puts you in the place if you will, and then the story develops. If the imagery is repetitive, the movie gets boring rather quickly. So firstly, you, the Songwriter, have to be inspired. Songs are so personal. There must be room for the freedom to let things come to you, and room for a creative space to be in - it's hard to write a song while sitting at a table full of bills. Personally, I write mostly in the car. But wherever it may be, it must be a place that allows for returning to the initial love of music.

We address the Art and Business of Songwriting. We address building professional networks and creating opportunities. We examine how royalties work etc. But there are things that arise only out of “doing what you do,” that no amount of phone calls and business letters could make happen. So if you are a singer, you need to be out there performing and letting people hear you. That's how many of the most important connections will happen. And while you're attending events that other great people in the industry are attending as well, you need to be talking to the people at your table.

And of course there is a large toolset you'll be given access to. If you need to create a jingle in an hour, you will be able to do that. If you need to find a song title very quickly, there are things you can do immediately. (Look around in the room: what objects are near you? What is happening in the room?). Students start developing a different state of awareness. One that allows them to listen in a productive way, recognizing elements of a signature riff for example, or using bits and pieces of a conversation they overhear for lyrics.

While “Songwriting” is an elective in the Music and Recording Industry Program, it is a vital piece that every producer, vocal artist, or engineer needs to be familiar with. In a fiercely competitive industry, having and understanding of all the different jobs is a huge asset, as it makes life easy for everyone working with that person.