I enjoy meeting with songwriters, writer/performers and lyricists and using my knowledge and experience to help guide you through problems with your craft, creative process or business.
I can help you strategize important career moves based on an assessment of your current level of development, your goals and the realities of the current marketplace.
Though I have some clients who come to see me periodically throughout their careers, I don’t believe in creating long-term interdependencies with clients.
I figure you pay me for being honest with you (though I am gentle and constructive about it) and having no other agenda than that. I won’t tell you you’re great just to make you feel good and I won’t tell you you’re terrible but that if you pay for a series of classes I’ll make you great. I don’t need the money that bad.
I’m just as happy if I see you once and can give you exactly what you need. Some writers do bring me a new batch of songs periodically for critiques or bring me sketchy ideas to help sort out the keepers or which ones will work best commercially.
Though most of my clients are writers, I have also consulted for businesses like TAXI who want the perspective of someone who has organizational experience in working with and marketing services to songwriters. This has included contests; new music publishers and businesses with songwriter oriented products or services.
Services I Provide
To ensure your privacy, non-disclosure agreements available by request (nominal fee applies).
- Critique songs with a focus on their commercial viability. Includes assessment of melody, lyric, structure, dynamics, style and anything else I’m asked to focus on specifically. I’ll critique any style of music.
- Screen a group of un-demo’d songs (rough guitar/vocal, keyboard/vocal or a cappella) to choose the best ones to demo. Or further down the line, to choose the best recorded songs to go on the CD.
- Explain how to set up your own publishing company.
- Evaluate song contracts. I’m not an attorney but I’ve explained contracts hundreds of times and taught it as part of a music publishing course I taught at Grove School of Music and Musicians Institute in Los Angeles.
- Mediate disputes between collaborators. Short of mediation, I will advise a party to the conflict about his/her rights and aspects of copyright law that apply to the situation.
- Refer you to a competent entertainment attorney, demo producer or other consultants with specific areas of expertise.
- Brainstorm a marketing strategy for you or your songs based on your music style and what would work for you in your specific situation.
- Answer any music industry question you may have. If I don’t have the answer, I know who does.
What I Don’t Do:
Shop artists or songs to record companies, publishers, producers or artists. You’re on your own for that.
In-Person Consultation
You’ll get the most “bang for your buck” with an in-person consultation. There’s just something about being able to sit across the table from one another and see eye-to-eye while we’re going through your songs. You may also record any of our conversations for your personal review later.
I normally schedule these between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. weekdays. Unfortunately, due to my travel schedule, this isn’t always feasible logistically.
Fee: $125 per hour or a maximum of five songs critiqued OR $25 per song. Fees may be paid in-person at the time of the consultation in cash, by check or credit card via PayPal.
NOTE: Travel expenses are not included in the consultation fee. Additional travel charges may apply.
Phone Consultation
Phone consultations work well for industry/career related questions as well as critiques. Feel free to record our phone consultation.
Phone consults are $125 per hour, but I pro-rate that based on the time we actually use. Fees may be paid in advance by credit card via PayPal. You can also mail a check or money order. Call or e-mail us for address.
Skype Audio And Video or Google Video Chat
I’m now using Skype for consults and critiques in the U.S. and internationally. Send me an e-mail with info on where you live (time zone) and we’ll figure out the best time for both of us to get together for an audio or video chat.
Gotta get dressed and get that hair and makeup just right 
Skype makes it much easier to be able to record the session and in most cases the calls are free.
Phone consults are $125 hr. but I pro-rate that based on the time we actually use and you can pay via PayPal after the call.
‘Snail-Mail’ Consultation/Critiques
I don’t do this much anymore as there’s rarely a need for it. However, you may want to send me a finished CD to evaluate or a bigger number of songs than you want to attach as files. OR it might just be too much of a hassle to convert the songs to MP3s. If so, phone or e-mail for our street address. Mail your CD or cassette of your songs and e-mail me the lyrics to all your songs in a single attached MS Word (preferred) or Rich Text document. Fee is $25 per song (unless you just want a quick overview evaluation of a bunch of songs without individual in-depth critiques. We’ll do the hourly rate for that.).
Fee may be paid in advance by credit card via PayPal (U.S.$) or mail a check or money order payable to John Braheny. Critiques are e-mailed back to you with comments typed on your lyric sheets. Note: If you’re outside the U.S. please don’t send personal checks. The transfer of funds is a major hassle and expensive.
Online Consultation
E-mail your lyric sheet(s), questions, and links to audio-file(s) of your song(s). Pay (U.S.$) via credit card with PayPal. What works: audio-files in MP3, RealAudio, QuickTime, Windows Media Audio, or AIFF formats. My system is Mac-based and I use Microsoft Word for word processing. To be on the safe side you can send lyrics in Rich Text format. IF YOU’RE E-MAILING AUDIO FILES, send lyrics and audio files to me at songconsult@gmail.com and type “consult” in the subject line.
Turnaround Time
Naturally, I try to respond to critique your songs as soon as possible and I listen in the order I receive them. However, as I don’t farm them out and I critique them all personally, the turn-around time can range from a day to a month depending on my available time and how many critiques came in before yours.
Money Back Guarantee
If you are not satisfied with the QUALITY of the critiques and/or consultations, I provide you with a FULL REFUND.
Call or E-mail Now!
John Braheny
Phone 818-528-5152
E-mail – John@JohnBraheny.com
To pay for a critique or consultation via PayPal, Go to the Store
If you’re a signed recording artist, or a manager, producer, A&R
looking for creative services for your artist,
go to this page for more info.
Quotes from Satisfied Clients
Let it suffice to say that TAXI would not be the success it is today if not for John Braheny. Before TAXI’s doors opened, somebody told me that couldn’t start such a company without first speaking with John. They could not have been more right.
All those little details that need to be addressed, all the questions that needed to be answered…John Braheny was always there with the right answer. Why? Because he is the aggregate soul of all songwriters. He hears the same muse, is a master of the craft, and never loses sight of the business aspects of songwriting.
John has been TAXI’s longest standing set of “ears,” and has given thousands upon thousands of our members the benefit of his wisdom. And while doling out that wisdom to the songwriters, he was quietly teaching me how to better meet their needs.
I’ve been in the music industry for over 25 years, and I’ve never met anyone who has had such a positive and far-reaching impact on songwriters during that time. If I was marooned on a desert island, and only allowed to have one person from the music business join me, it would be John Braheny.
Michael Laskow, CEO, TAXI.com, Independent A&R (818) 888-2111
Thank you so much for sharing your wisdom and humor. It was such a pleasure to speak with you. After our conversation I find I have greater clarity and calm about all of this than ever before.
Liz
I find your comments helpful and educational, I especially like the way you are able to make your point while keeping your input in a positive vein.
Luciann Gill Nadeau
Thank you SO much for the critique you gave me last December on two of my songs which were formerly rejected when I submitted them to Taxi’s listings. I took your advice, changed a few lyrics around, made the adjustments on the demo, and submitted the same two songs to new Taxi listings and this time they were forwarded!!! With your help, I believe I can become the songwriter and the success I always wanted to be. That’s worth more than these mere words to me. Thanks again.
Loretta Mc Nair (http://lorettamcnair.com/) songwriter – recording artist – painter
I just want to thank you for your advice. Honest advice lovingly given is priceless in this business!!
Jamie Green Songwriter/recording artist
Without John’s expertise in the craft of songwriting my lyrics might not have made any sense to people other than myself, he taught me to creatively transpose my own thoughts and stories in my lyric writing so that people understood what the hell my songs are supposed to be about, the man just is a NATURAL!
Maria Butterly ( http://www.mariabutterly.com/) – Songwriter/recording artist
John Braheny gives re-write tips that really make songs that are struggling to come together do so; you implement the changes he suggests and breathe a sigh of understanding and relief. And he instinctively understands how to talk to a songwriter with perfect tact, so that all of us who are, as songwriters, in a rather delicate condition, can take his advice happily and productively.
Jessica Harper (http://www.jessicaharper.com/)- Singer-Songwriter- actor -author
Just wanted to take a moment to thank you for your expertise and your honest, gentle, and constructive criticism of my songs at John Iger’s house last month. Your observations and comments were most insightful and I have done a LOT of lyric rewriting and musical structure rearrangement since then. I also referred to your book, which reinforced the points you made in person. I can tell it is making a big difference in how I see my songs now and how I can make them better.
I really appreciate your skilled set of ears and your ability to analyze and articulate the strengths and weaknesses of songs. And I really appreciate your warm, friendly personalities. Thank you for making the trip to Phoenix, and I look forward to receiving any updates via email.
Dan Gutenkauf Tempe, Arizona
I just wanted to thank you for the consultation. It was extremely worthwhile for me. Your insight into the industry is invaluable. I look forward to writing my next 100 songs more than ever!
Mike DiChristofano
Hi. This is Darren Moss from Australia. I just wanted to write and thank-you for your song consultation at the TAXI Road Rally a couple of weeks back. It was extremely helpful and encouraging – and is already making a big difference with my writing. As I mentioned at the end of our session I’ll write again in the not too distant future and book in another time for some more feedback.
Darren Moss (http://cdbaby.com/cd/darrenmoss)- Australia
Thank you very much for your time. There’s no doubt about it: whatever successes I end up having as a songwriter, your assistance and suggestions are definitely going to be a contributing factor. A lot of the suggestions you’ve made are ones that have sort of “instinctively” come to mind. It’s great to hear them from you…now I have very few doubts! I’m planning on signing up for your news letter immediately and will more than continue to suggest your book to anyone I know that’s interested in the craft and business of songwriting.
John Matlack Madison, WI.
It was so great to meet you both last Saturday. I’m sure my visit was destined. Because of your answers to my questions, I can now relax and just write the songs as they come to me. I have found my resting place – Compassionate Friends! I needed to hear what you said from someone of your stature. So again, thank you! I know you were there at Borders just for me. I cannot say in words how much you have made a difference in my life!
Pat Metzger
I was thrilled by your critique! There’s always that nibbling doubt “Am I really any good?” Must say I rewrote alot of my songs after reading your book. Your critique is specific and very helpful. Thank you!
Nancy Kaawe
Thanks John, I have been looking forward to getting these. I’m glad that you’re hearing good progress. I have found your reviews to be key in helping me figure out where to focus my energy. I attribute your feedback at various stages over the last year as one of the biggest factors in my improvements. I’ll keep plugging away and I’m sure I will be back in touch when I feel my songs have stepped up another notch and need more feedback. Thanks for offering this service.
Michael Franklin
Before long, I’ll likely send you the rewrite of “Ain’t Stopped Dancing Yet,” which you reviewed before. Your comments on that song were immensely helpful, and I think I’ve tackled most of the problems. You’re a damn fine coach, Coach.
Bryan
I just wanted to thank you for your critique and kind support in our One-on-One session this past Saturday. Your thoughts on the structure of “Yellow Butterfly Wings” in particular were very helpful, and have inspired me to explore the idea of writing artfully and skillfully at the same time. I very much enjoyed meeting you, and feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to do so. Your words and enthusiasm have jump-started my own motivation, and for that…well, words cannot convey my gratitude. So…thank you!
Belinda Yamate
Hi John: I received your critique of subject, and have been busy revising it along the lines you suggested. You were ‘right on’ with your comments and I appreciate your good help in steering this song toward a much better structure and improved content. Thanks so much.
Al Scroggin
Thank you so much for your critiques of my songs. They are excellent. As usual, your feedback makes so much sense. I’ll see what I can do to improve the songs based on your observations.
Pat Reynolds
To all my comrades in song:
I am writing to tell you what a great experience it has been to have John Braheny as a mentor. I first met him when he was teaching a songwriting class at Musician’s Institute. I was amazed at his ability to dissect a song effortlessly. In fact, he reminded me of those ancient Chinese doctors who can tell a person’s condition just by checking their pulse. John was like this with songs. Pretty much upon the first listen, he could assess a song’s strength and weakness both structurally and lyrically; and he did it with such graciousness that you hardly noticed that you had had a song adjustment. Believe me, I’ve sat through my share of songwriting classes where it was hard to find the pearl of wisdom behind the teacher’s mountain of ego. John isn’t like this at all.
Here’s how I started working with John. I’d bring him a handful of song concepts that I was working on. If I had a guitar part or a rhythm track, I’d bring that or if I just had a melody, I’d bring that. John seemed capable of working with just about anything I brought him.
Then we would sit down. I’d hand him my lyric sheet and play him what I had. I’d usually bring a handful of concepts – they come pretty quickly to me – and knowing which ones to work on is a big part of the game for me. John would help me separate the wheat from the chaff, so to speak, and then we would start gearing down on the ‘keepers.’ John would guide me to the gist of each concept helping me discard everything that did not drive the song forward.
He showed me how to craft a strong chorus and a strong bridge. He also showed me how to obtain a harmonious balance between concrete and abstract imagery. He gave me so many tools and such great insight into how they work. After our sessions, I’d go home and craft the concepts further until finally, finally a song would emerge. I cannot tell you what a great feeling this was.
I’ve been going through this process with John for a few years now and I’ve come away with a batch of great songs and the tools that will help me craft my next batch. In fact, I’m coming out with my second CD very soon, and when the CD is done, I’ll be calling on John to guide me through the other side of songwriting – the business. I’m counting on him to make this side palatable and if anyone can do it, John can. He is a great guy to have in your corner in this wonderfully crazy craft and business. What can I say other than it’s been a tremendous experience working with John and I plan to keep on working with him for a long time to come.
Yours truly,
Michael Triandafils, Florida
We just wanted to say a big “Thank You!” for your encouragement and advice over the years. Today we found out we got our first major placement in a film: Disney’s new “The Last Song” starring Miley Cyrus. The song is called “Carnival Lights,” and ironically we wrote it over two years ago for a TAXI listing. So many times over the years we almost quit, but when we went for a counseling session with you in May 2008, you really helped. In fact, it was a turning point in our lives. Thanks again!
Your friends in San Diego Tracey & Vance Marino
Vance and Tracey Marino