HI! I’m Jake. I make music, and I make things that help people make music.

I earn about half my living from performing, touring, and album + merch sales; and the other half of my income from teaching. Throughout the last 10 years, I’ve taught guitar, piano, and voice lessons, but these days I am focused on teaching SONGWRITING.

In my 15 year songwriting career, I’ve written well over 100 songs, and have spent countless hours researching songwriting practices and workshopping songs with peers and students.

Additionally, I have over a decade’s worth of experience taking those songs from ideas to recordings. Whether it’s setting up a home studio and recording yourself, or getting songs prepped for proper studio time, I’ve been through it all.

I hold a degree in Professional Music from PCC, which includes training in theory, performance, and audio engineering.  Occasionally I work as a freelance engineer at studios such as Hallowed Halls and Jackpot, and am currently offering virtual (and limited in-person) songwriting workshops.

SONGWRITING WORKSHOPS

I currently offer hour and half hour long songwriting workshops, available remote via zoom, as well as limited in-person here at my home studio in Portland Oregon.

A songwriting workshop can take MANY different forms. Often it involves taking someone’s idea and helping craft it into a full song.

Things often discussed in a songwriting workshop:

• How to set your melody or lyric to music

• How to write better, more compelling lyrics and vocal melodies

• Music theory basics that help write songs (chords, keys, etc)

• How to break out of patterns and cliches

• How to set up a home studio to record songs, and how to prep for studio time

• How to find and work with other musicians effectively and efficiently

• ANYTHING else related to the songwriting process

Booking:

Equity:

Music is for everyone. As a white male from a working-class family, I acknowledge that I’ve been given a great deal of opportunity in this life. It’s my goal to help level the playing field by offering financial assistance to those who have been historically disenfranchised, as well as those who have been monetarily impacted by the pandemic. These discount codes are available for all qualified persons; you don’t have to use them, but they’re here for you if cost is a barrier.

• Does the student or family qualify for free or reduced lunch at school?

  • Get 25% off single workshop with code FREELUNCH25 or 15% off packages with FREELUNCH15

• Does the student or person paying for lessons identify as Black, Indigenous, or as a Person of Color?

  • Get 25% off single workshop with code BIPOC25, or 15% off packages with code BIPOC15

• Is the person paying for lessons a Teacher?

  • Get 15% off single workshop with code TEACHER15, or 10% off packages with code TEACHER10

• Hit hard by the pandemic? Feel like you qualify for a discount that isn’t listed here?

  • Send me an email and tell me your story!

Note: Discounts listed here reflect statistical data on wage gaps in the state of Oregon. Additionally, please send me a note if you believe I have overlooked something, or if you believe I can do better with my language, inclusion, or otherwise.

Location:

Milwaukie Oregon

Inquire below about in-person offerings

Get in Touch:

Drop me a line if you have any questions at all. I’d love to hear form you.