Hi Roger,

I write regarding your comment below. I am a teacher.

Originally Posted By: Roger Brown
Songwriting is not a skill, it's a talent. It is certainly a talent than can be improved upon - after 3 1/2 decades of writing for a living, I still try to write better songs, and I believe I improve constantly. But a certain amount of talent is a prerequisite to being any good at it.

Good songwriting is certainly a talent. There’s no doubt about that at all. That said, anything that is a talent can also be taught... maybe not with the natural flair for inventiveness and creativity that 'talent' brings to the table, but through analyses it's possible to deduce patterns and regularities that an educator can use as a starting place for teaching and this educator can then expand on these foundations.

  • For some students, this process of 'learning the mechanics' often opens a doorway of what's possible and this, in turn, allows previously unrealised or unrecognised natural talent to develop and grow.

Over the years, I have had a number of students go on to achieve outstanding accomplishments although I have never once achieved anything equivalent at any stage of my life.

I’ve been to many Prof. Patterson seminars, I was up to 20 when I stopped counting, and he is definitely a talented educator just like you are a talented songwriter (your credentials are very impressive). My experience is that a talented educator has the ability to not only teach knowledge but also to inspire creativity and to unleash a desire to achieve at the highest possible levels. All too often, our western school system fails at the latter and stops at the 'disseminating knowledge' stage of education. Pattison is not such a teacher. My personal experience is that the large majority of people leave Pattison's seminars inspired to write and eagre to learn more. I've seen many people, like myself, who keep on returning to his seminars. Pattison challenges, motivates and emboldens people to try. Isn't that what good teaching is all about?

  • I'll never forget the feeling of satisfaction and gratitude that I felt when I left my very first Patterson seminar. He gave me some tools to work with and a lens through which to view songwriting that made the impossible a possibility for me. Since that day, I have never stopped feeling thankful to him.

In addition, I believe that it is through accomplished teaching that skills are enhanced and exceptional talent is given the very best set of circumstances in which it can thrive and can accomplish great things. Time and time again history has shown that this is true.

You seem to agree with this when you say,

Originally Posted By: Roger Brown
It is certainly a talent than can be improved upon - after 3 1/2 decades of writing for a living, I still try to write better songs, and I believe I improve constantly.

It is when one discovers a talented teacher who has the ability to know what needs to be done to accomplish the "better" that you mention, that the process of growing more accomplished is streamlined and hastened.

One example that springs to mind is Mozart. He was an amazing talent. As I understand it, he had perfect pitch and he could 'hear' an orchestra and its arrangement effortlessly in his mind. When polishing his musical creations, though, it was through the skills he learnt regarding harmony, counterpoint and general music craftsmanship that allowed his music to become timeless. Mozart's talent was enhanced by a number of educators.

Just my tuppence worth.

Regards,
Noel Adams

P.S. I am not a talented songwriter but through seminars with Pat Pattison, Steve Seskin and Beth Nielsen Chapman, in addition to reading a number of books, I have learnt how to write songs that allow me to feel a sense of accomplishment and self-satisfaction. That's enough for me.

MY SONGS...
Audiophile BIAB 2025