Have you just started songwriting and fallen in love with this expressive outlet? Maybe you are just beginning to write, or perhaps you’re a veteran who just hasn’t experienced a breakthrough yet. 

No matter your experience as a songwriter, you can always learn more, and one of the best ways to learn is in community with other indie artists! You will find new inspiration from the group as you co-write, and you might form some awesome songwriting partnerships for the future! Here’s five bootcamps you should look into if you want to start co-writing and learning with others.

Camp 1: Music Maker’s Bootcamp

To have the chance to meet and personally connect with a roster of artists, songwriters, and other seasoned professionals who are active in the industry, check out Full Circle Music’s own bootcamp! The Music Maker’s Bootcamp is a smaller and more personal environment than you typically find at events of this caliber, and the price is significantly more affordable. You will be able to have face-to-face interaction and connect with the speakers without having to break the bank.

Camp 2: Pamela Shayne’s and Richard Harris’s Songwriter Camps

The best thing about this camp? It’s all online! That means no travel restrictions to prevent you from trying the camp. With an offering of several different camp experiences, 1-on-1 coaching, group and master classes, customized workshops, and critique sessions, you are sure to find something that interests you here!

Camp 3: NSAI’s Song Camps

Looking for the opportunity to play three songs for a professional songwriter? NSAI’s song camp is a one-of-a-kind opportunity. Although certainly not the cheapest on the list, the investment could be well worth the quality of feedback and the experience you get in return. Not to mention, you will get to hear the advice offered to other attendees, which you will be able to apply to your own writing! NSAI also offers an “Advanced Song Camp” that allows you to play a song for an actual publisher and receive feedback.

Camp 4: The Country Music Hall of Fame’s Songwriting Camp

Like NSAI, the Country Music Hall of Fame offers camps tailored to your level of experience so you can have the best possible experience. Boasting numerous acclaimed songwriters as their camp mentors and coaches in recent years, you are sure to walk away from one of these camps with valuable knowledge in performance, co-writing, recording, publishing, and how to approach your songwriting!

Camp 5: Steve Earl’s Camp Copperhead

Previously held in a beautiful mountain resort location with dining and lodging expenses covered in the ticket, you are likely to find rest and refreshment in this retreat-like experience. Earl offers an emphasis in learning, co-writing, and performing. He posts the schedule and guests ahead of time, so check out his website to find out more about his next camp!

If you are serious about making music, then it’s a good idea to surround yourself with other serious musicians! You will be inspired to work outside of your normal patterns, and you will be more inclined to follow through on your dreams if you share them with others. Many successful artists today, like Rhianna, Alicia Keys, and Kanye West,  have found material that they have used at songwriting camps, so don’t underestimate the power of co-writing with people you’ve just met!