Are you a songwriter who wonders why your tracks are not quite as captivating as those of your favorite artists? Maybe you’re thinking of producing your own record, working with other artists, or looking to be better prepared for working with professionals? Our in-depth "How to Make a Record" workshops can teach you time-tested techniques and strategies used by experienced record producers to develop compelling songs, instrument and vocal arrangements, and recorded performances.

These are interactive workshops that include activities and musical examples to practice what you are learning. They can also be a great opportunity to connect with fellow musicians. By the end, you will have acquired valuable skills for making your own records with more confidence and be able to communicate your ideas more clearly to other musicians, producers, and audio engineers. Rather than focusing on technical post-production stages such as detailed recording and mixing techniques, we will focus on the crucial, initial ingredients that make a record connect with the listener. We can’t wait to meet you!

Did you know that Members get substantial discounts on our live events/workshops and get be part of our Pro Tips Plan?

No thanks, but sign me up for a workshop!

Workshop Details

Workshop 1: “Finding Inspiration, Song Framework, Song Flow”

Saturday 4/29/23, 1:00pm - 5:00pm PST on Zoom

Workshop 2: “Crafting Instrument and Vocal Parts, Preparing for Recording”

Sunday 4/30/23, 1:00pm - 5:00pm PST on Zoom

1. Developing inspiring instrumental and vocal parts

2. Preparing songs, instruments, and musicians for recording

3. Proven ways of getting the best performances while recording

4. Transform single-instrument parts into full-band arrangements

5. Stacking parts and message enhancement

6. Sculpting chord voicings and understanding their impact on the final mix

7. And more!

Meet your instructors!

McKay Garner

After studying music at the University of N.C. School of the Arts, McKay Garner toured with various bands and recorded in many studios. After submitting several song demos, he was signed to a label in LA as a singer/songwriter and was promptly relocated to the West Coast.

McKay’s music career has spanned decades performing in front of countless audiences and creating music in homes, hotels, and recording studios. His deep love for songwriting and recorded sound led him to the world of music production.

As a producer, engineer, mixer, multi-instrumentalist, and composer, he has worked on records for artists and producers such as J Dilla, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Mike Shinoda (Linkin Park), Michael Bublé, Rick Rubin, and Ariel Rechtshaid. His music and song collaborations have been purchased and streamed worldwide. They have been licensed in films/trailers such as the Transformers movie and Total Recall, video games (Sony Playstation), and scores of television shows such as America’s Next Top Model, Grey’s Anatomy, and many more.

After running two recording studios in LA for several years, McKay moved to the beautiful San Francisco Bay Area. He is an active member of the music community and a participant in many mentor programs. As an elected leader, he served two terms as co-chair of the (Grammys) Recording Academy SF Chapter Producers and Engineers Wing and as a Grammy board member, both volunteer positions.

McKay now strives to bring attention to experimental, innovative, as well as traditional music voices within the industry. He is an active champion for diversity and the celebration of our differences as an asset to music and humanity.

Justin Seagrave

Justin Seagrave is a Los Angeles-based guitarist, singer/songwriter, composer, producer, and teacher with 18 happy years in the music industry. Seagrave's artistic journey began as a child in fantasy writing, musical theater and later discovered his core-of-the-soul passion for writing music and playing guitar. To further his craft, he studied guitar, composition and music theory with some of the world’s masters at the San Francisco Conservatory where he earned his music degree. 

As a singer/songwriter he has earned numerous awards including wins in the USA Songwriting Competition and the MASC Songwriting Competition, as well as nominations in five other major songwriting awards. As a professional composer and performer, Seagrave has created music for corporations, international commercials and music libraries and has had the pleasure of performing at hundreds of events.

He also has spent the past 14 years sharing his knowledge and expertise with aspiring guitarists, songwriters, producers, and those seeking to establish a career in the industry. Seagrave takes great pride in serving as a mentor to musicians of all walks of life and deeply values the opportunity to share his knowledge and experience with them.