Why do the Seminar?

        The seminar has been created due to public demand for Duncan Lorien's simple approach to composition
       and graduates state it is without doubt the most effective and simple way to become a songwriter and composer.

        What is contained in The Understanding of Songwriting Seminar™?

        • The Lorien ten rules of melody.

• The eight basic agreements of harmony.

• Song structure, song formulas and song arrangement.

• Modulation (moving from one scale to another within a song).

• Parallel and related keys (the common scales to use when modulating).

• Transposition (moving the whole song higher or lower).

• Cadences (musical punctuation using chords).

• How chord charts make music notation simple.

• Chord substitution (exchanging one chord for another).

• A new approach to lyric writing and coming up with a really good idea.

• Chord patterning - how to develop different styles of music

• The foundations for all styles of music from classical to jazz and rock.

• How to create a melody that fits with chords you have written.

• How to create chords that fit with a melody you have written.

• How to create lyrics that fit with a melody you have written.

• How to create different melodies to fit with lyrics you have written.

• What makes a song or piece of music popular and financially successful.

• Lorien chord system - the most powerful tool ever for composition.

• How to write in quantity and with quality.

• The basics of recording.

• The basics of copyrighting.

• The basics of promotion.

        •A practical ten minute-a-day daily practice schedule to ensure each graduate maximizes the full potential of the seminar.

        •No claim is made that graduates are composing symphonies like Beethoven or songs like U2 in only one weekend but             every graduate is writing fully structured songs in four minutes for each song by the end of the seminar........guaranteed!

        How can all this happen in one weekend?

        By approaching the subject of songwriting using the same system of easy steps developed by Duncan Lorien for The              Understanding of Music Seminar™ that ensures everyone in the Seminar fully understands and is able to apply each             step before the next step is started. All the Seminar information is included in an easy to read manual with simple                     diagrams. The attendee interacts with the manual throughout the Seminar and continues at home with the daily practice             schedule. The Seminar manual is included in the cost of the Seminar.



        What is the graduation rate?

        100 %. When Duncan Lorien states that "every graduate is writing fully structured songs in four minutes for each song by         the end of the seminar" that is exactly what he achieves. He says that even the inability to play an instrument is absolutely         no hindrance to doing The Understanding of Songwriting Seminar™as the tools he gives the graduates actually                 superceed the need to play an instrument. A graduate can start producing professional songs and then notate them using             an easy system he demonstrates so that other musicians can immediately read and play them.



        What instruments are required?

        Duncan Lorien recommends you check with the Organizer of the seminar in your area as to whether you should bring             your keyboard or guitar with you to the seminar. Although the information is fully applicable to other instruments such as         brass, woodwind, percussion or voice only keyboards or acoustic guitars should be brought to the Seminar.

        What is the Seminar schedule?

        English speaking countries:
        Friday      9:30 am - 6:30 pm (1:00 pm - 2:00 pm lunch break)
        Saturday  9:30 am - 6:30 pm (1:00 pm - 2:00 pm lunch break)
        Sunday    9:30 am - 7:00 pm (1:00 pm - 2:00 pm lunch break)


        What is the Seminar attendance fee?

         $495.00 (US dollars). There are no discounted rates. The full deposit of $200.00 secures the place of a student on the             Seminar. The Understanding of Songwriting Seminar™is held only once each year in Boston - U.S.A., Glasgow -             U.K., Melbourne - Australia, Vienna - Austria and once every two years in Budapest - Hungary. There is a large demand         for strictly limited places and the earlier a deposit is made the greater the chance someone has of being awarded a place at         the Seminar.
        The fee includes the Seminar manual and the opportunity to do the Seminar again for only 20% of the full cost. Repeating         the seminar is strongly encouraged as those people who have repeated can attest as it ensures that the concepts and actions         are totally mastered to the satisfaction of each individual. It also includes an option to consult by letter, e-mail, fax or                 phone with the Understanding of Music Company™ on any aspect of the Seminar information at no extra charge.
  


        Is the Seminar expensive?

        Most aspiring songwriters and composers spend years trying to accumulate all the information that is presented in The             Understanding of Songwriting Seminar™and most of them without understanding 10% of the information they cover.
        Imagine not only be able to understand but also apply that information! Dozens of graduates have released their CD's of         their own songs and compositions and many of those had no previous eperience of music before attending The                         Understanding of Music Seminar™and The Understanding of Songwriting Seminar™.
        There is a 100% money back guarantee for anyone who feels the Seminar does not deliver exactly what it promises to             deliver which has yet to be requested by any graduate!



        Are there any Seminar rules?

        • No drugs or alcohol may be consumed during the weekend on which the  Seminar is being held (attendees receiving             prescription drugs under medical  supervision are requested to advise the Seminar Organizer what drugs are being                     prescribed).

        •Any attendee with a reading or hearing problem or who is physically challenged  is requested to advise the Seminar                 Organizer so the best efforts can be made to  accomodate that attendee.

        •No smoking will be allowed during the Seminar but sufficient meal and rest breaks should ensure this is not a problem.

        •Any attendee who is unable to adhere to the full schedule and maintain punctuality creates a disruption to the rest of the         attendees and will be refunded and asked to leave the Seminar.

        •Tape recording is not permitted as it creates a distraction. Taking notes are welcomed but not essential as all information         is in the Seminar manual.

        •Each attendee undertakes to make the Seminar Presenter immediately aware of any confusion or difficulty so that it can         be fully handled at that time.

Hi Duncan,

I just wanted to share my latest win with you.

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Andrew Winig