Further Details

FAQ

Before contacting us please have a quick read through the FAQ. If the answer you're looking for isn't here we would love to hear from you. Email us: info@birdonawire.info

Why online and not face to face?

We hope to do loads of these songwriting sessions face to face as soon as it is safe to do so. The benefit of holding workshops online is that it reduces the cost and travel time for participants and dramatically reduces the environmental impact of the course in general.



Can anyone take part in these courses?

The Creative Scotland funded courses have sold out. All the other courses are open to anyone over the age of 18. If you would like to attend a course and cannot afford it we might be able to help you find funding especially if you are an early or mid-career professional or semi-professional musician, singer, songwriter, music producer, poet, storyteller, actor, writers or teaching artist whose career has been adversely affected by Covid 19. Get in touch via info@birdonawire.info



I've never written a song before can I take part?

Yes... we'll teach you to write songs.



I can't play a musicial instrument can I take part?

Yes... we can help you create the music either by writing it with you or teaching you to use an app like Garageband to digitally create the music.



I can't sing can I take part?

Everyone can sing. We only ask that you have a go. We can help you with your singing and, in the extremely unlikely situaltion that you can't sing, one of your tutors or a fellow participant can help sing your song.



Can I donate a place?

Yes. Please get in touch. If you wish you can donate anonymously via Paypal.



Could I book a Bird on a Wire style course for a festival, conference or staff training day?

Yes. We can tailor a course to suit your needs. Anything from an hour long workshop to a series of workshops that run throughout a week. Please get in touch.



In the application  for funded places what do you mean by professional and semi-professional?

Firstly it has nothing at all to do with ability. It is about how you earn your living. Answers from the dictionary: Professional- "Engaged in a specified activity as one's main paid occupation rather than as a pastime." So if you teach, perform or record music full time you are considered professional. Semi Professional- 2/2 Semi-pro. "Actively engaged in some field for pay but on a part-time basis" You might be working part time in a cafe/bar/school/gym/insert-job-title-here but fairly regularly play shows, release and record music. You may be surprised to learn that this represents the majority of people in music industry at the moment.





I cannot afford the course is there anyway I can attend?

Yes. Get in touch via info@birdonawire.info we can direct you to funding and, in limited cases, we may be able to fund your place ourselves.