learn comedy storytelling
One-to-one coaching in the art and craft of comedy for stage, screen, song and sound
I'm *probably* the only musical-comedy teacher in the world.
As a folk and jazz singer I've written more than 500 songs and I'm one of the really very few people that can combine proper songwriting with stand-up level lyrics. It's not that I'm particularly special, it's just that I've devoted 10's of thousands of hours to songwriting over the last 25 years. You could go and do that yourself...or maybe take a few classes with me and I'll speed up the process for you.
Every musical comic is different, so I'm ironing out how to deliver more specific training that can work across the board. For now I've divided classes into those that need some training in the music, those who need some training in comedy and those with finished songs that they'd like help punching up to the next level.
Musical Comedy Classes
Musical Comedy Classes
1. HILARIOUS NOT MUSICAL
Advice and training on comedy musicality
All levels
Variable hrs
If your comedy songs are hilarious...but your (lack of) musicality is getting in the way, I'll help you find your singing and playing style - and what is perhaps more important, the structure of your songs.
You're not auditioning for the voice, you're there to make people laugh. Your audience might actually prefer you singing like a dog howling at the moon? But trust me they will get bored as all hell if your intro is longer than 15 seconds and you don't counterpoint your chorusses with a bridge.
Your song will already have everything you need, we'll just re-arrange it a little to make the most of your jokes.
We can also look at your singing and playing with some simple vocal and rehearsal techniques that will help you get the most out of your instruments (no music theory, I promise).
These could be stand-alone 2hr sessions looking at particular songs, or I can design an on-going process to give you a huge boost in your skills over 3-6 months.
Let's set up a free discover call and have a chat about options...
2. MUSICAL NOT HILARIOUS
Advice and training in comedy lyrics and performance
All levels
Variable hrs
If you're musical trained or gifted, but you're not a battle-hardened stand-up comic - this one's for you.
The perennial problem with comedy songs is writing lyrics that both live in the top-line AND get you to the punchlines AND have other laughs along with way...AND build in pauses while the audience laughs. It's really tough to do and that's why there aren't many musical comedians on the circuit.
The solution is to get a bit jazzy with it by inferring the top-line while you find inventive ways to cram in the words you need for the jokes.
Writing comedy lyrics is my favourite part of comedy, I've got loads of tips and tricks I can teach you...and then we'll look at your delivery and look at how you can dial it up as a comedy performance.
These could be stand-alone 2hr sessions looking at particular songs, or I can design an on-going process to give you a huge boost in your skills over 3-6 months.
Let's set up a free discover call and have a chat about options...
3. SONG DOCTOR
Help perfecting and polishing your songs
All levels
2hrs
This is a consultancy where I'll help you polish your finished songs to get that extra bit of power out of your top-line and squeeze every last laugh out of the lyrics.
Song-doctoring is a very common service in the music industry before bands head into the studio, now musical comedians can get it too - whether you're headed to Fringe...or just down to the open mic.
You've probably got a few questions, let's have a chat about the process on a free discovery call...