Can you write a song without knowing music theory? Yes — most of the songs you love were written by ear, and that’s exactly how this workshop works. Our singer-songwriter workshop in NYC is built for people who have a notes app full of half-lyrics and no idea what to do next. No instrument required, no theory required, no experience required.
What actually happens in the workshop
You bring an idea — a phrase, a grudge, a person, a feeling — and you leave with more song than you came with. Each session we work on one piece of the craft in plain English: how a lyric sits on a melody, why choruses repeat, what three chords can carry, how to steal structure (legally) from songs you already know.
Then you write. In the room, badly at first, which is the point. The workshop is run by working NYC musicians who write and perform their own material, and the feedback culture is simple: we tell you what’s working before we tell you what isn’t.
You don’t need to sing well. You don’t need to play anything — if your song needs chords, someone in the room can put them under you until you can.
Who this is for
People who write things down. People who sing in the car. Anyone who has said “I could never write a song” with a little too much feeling. The workshop assumes zero musical background — it’s part of our fall 2026 class series, all of which is designed for non-musicians.
If you’re already a songwriter looking for co-writes and industry feedback, this will run slow for you — private lessons are the better fit.
What it costs
| Who you are | Per class |
|---|---|
| Kalman Music member | Free |
| Kalman student (non-member), or a plus-one | $25 |
| Everyone else | $35 |
| Class Pass — unlimited classes, every class we run | $60/month |
Classes start fall 2026. Text or call (917) 525-3374 for the schedule, or see all classes.
FAQ
Do I have to share what I write? No. Sharing is invited, never required. Most people share by week three because the room earns it.
I can’t sing. Can I still write songs? Yes. Plenty of great songwriters are rough singers. We work on making the song strong enough that the voice is a detail.
Do I need to bring a guitar or keyboard? No. Bring words. Chords can be borrowed — from us or from the person next to you.
Want one-on-one help with your songs instead? Voice and piano lessons start at $15 for your first lesson.