Masterclass: Alicia Keys Teaches Songwriting and Producing

With 15 Grammy Awards and more than 40 million albums sold so far, Alicia Keys is one of the world’s most beloved singer-songwriters. Now the legendary artist invites you into her studio to share her process for creating music built from authentic emotion. Breaking down anthems like “Fallin’,” Alicia shows you how she writes lyrics, crafts melodies, and explores sonics so you can discover the music you were born to make.

Instructor(s): Alicia Keys
Class Length: 19 video lessons (3 hrs 22 min)
Category: Music
Course Materials: Class Workbook.pdf

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Lesson Plan

1. Meet Your Instructor
   03:58
   Alicia introduces herself and invites you to join her in the spaces where she pursues her artistry.
2. Alicia’s Musical Foundation and Influences
   06:16
   Learn the who, what, where, and why of Alicia’s inspiration.
3. Start With Melody and Lyrics
   09:52
   Alicia shares her methods and styles for developing lyrics.
4. Alicia, the Songwriter
   09:48
   Alicia talks about journaling, writing poetry, and drawing from your life to create.
5. Bring All the Elements Together
   12:53
   Alicia explains how “Fallin’ ” came together and the intricacies of the songwriting process.
6. Connect to the World Around You
   10:46
   Discover Alicia’s approach to using connection as a way to hone your creative voice.
7. Songwriting With Empathy
   18:40
   Alicia demonstrates how she uses empathy to create powerful music.
8. Alicia, the Producer
   10:33
   Take a look inside Alicia’s sound booth as she discusses the roles she takes on to produce her distinct sound.
9. Vocal Arrangements
   13:27
   Alicia walks you through the strength in specific vocal arrangements.
10. Build Energy in the Booth
    14:10
    Alicia opens up about how she has developed physical, mental, and emotional practices to take care of herself and her art.
11. The Anatomy of an Anthem
    07:45
    Alicia shares her thoughts on what makes a song an anthem, and talks about the theme and tone of the “sad triumph.”
12. Alicia’s Retro-Futuristic Sound
    08:21
    Alicia explains how various influences have helped her develop her incredible sound.
13. Alchemy in the Control Room
    10:57
    Learn how Alicia explores her creativity through sonics and instruments in the control room.
14. Instruments to Boost a Big Sound
    14:11
    Discover Alicia’s favorite instruments and her methods for achieving her unique musical sounds.
15. Creative Collaboration
    09:29
    Alicia talks about the importance of collaboration and the role it can play in her creative process.
16. Sisterhood in the Music Industry
    06:57
    Alicia discusses discrepancies in the music industry for women and her efforts to create space at the table for voices that are silenced.
17. Rising Artist Spotlight: Joy Nesbitt’s “Echo”
    18:36
    Alicia offers advice to a young artist from her music organization, She Is the Music.
18. Power and Purpose
    10:38
    Discover Alicia’s personal philosophy of setting boundaries and listening to your body and intuition.
19. Always Be Learning
    05:42
    Alicia shares her thoughts on living a creative life and why evolution is the only constant.