Berklee is going fully remote for the fall semester. Read more at berklee. Main Menu. It wasn't exactly a "run through the halls of [his] high school," but on Friday, September 17, hit songwriter John Mayer '98 returned to Berklee to pay a visit to his alma mater for a solo performance and clinic.
The event was held in a packed Berklee Performance Center and was webcast to the Dolby Laboratories in Burbank, California, so that Berklee's West Coast alumni could be part of the excitement. After opening with his song "Clarity," Mayer told the audience that this was his first time leading a clinic, and that he had prepared a lot of material to share with the audience. First, he said, he wanted to discuss his philosophy on networking and making contacts as the way for new artists to break into the music industry.
That's how most connections are made. Hang around with the people who are good to you, not those who you think will get you somewhere," he said. Mayer went on to say that in his estimation, there is no single "discovery moment" that leads to an artist getting a record deal. He recalled that six years ago he had been playing in nightclubs with just a few people listening.
Little by little, he built an audience and doors opened. Mayer encouraged the students with their studies, telling them to "plug in any bit of static knowledge that anyone gives you as soon as possible. Then convert it to colors.
Hopefully what you are doing is taking information and developing taste and style. Throughout the two-hour clinic, Mayer displayed wit and a genuine desire to share what he has learned in his ascent to stardom. Introducing his song "Daughters," he said, "I wrote this song in my hotel room about a year and a half ago.
I missed all of my press appointments that day. When you have a song coming out, stay there. If you miss your class, I'll write you a pass.
It happens so rarely, don't move, just keep writing. I didn't leave until I was done with this one. Afterward, Mayer said, "I think phonetics mean more than lyrics ever will. It's all in how the words sound. I've heard some lyrics that were incredibly clever, descriptive, and moving, but they were set to music in such a way that it was hard for me to remember them and sing them back.
I like songs that feel really good rolling off the tongue. Almost all hit songs have lyrics that are great to sing. Opening up a discussion, Mayer took a number of questions from the audience.
He answered queries about overcoming writer's block. Another questioner asked what Mayer's biggest challenge has been. He spoke about reconciling his original intent with the final results in his music.
It has been my biggest challenge to realize that is me no matter how hard I try to bend it. Mayer was enjoying himself so much that he extended the clinic a half-hour. He took out his electric guitar for the songs "Come Back to Bed" and "Wheel. He performed a long fade-out with his volume pedal on "Come Back to Bed," leaving the crowd in a hush.
Mayer was realistic about success and discussed the arc of an artist's career. As he bid farewell, he said, "You know, I've been back to Boston about 12 times in my career, but this is the first time I've come back to Berklee. I feel really comfortable here. X Fall Semester Update Berklee is going fully remote for the fall semester. Search form Search. Campus Tools Menu Campus Websites.
Main menu Home. The Office of Student Success connects Berklee students with the resources available at the College that can help them achieve personal, academic and career success. Housing Services helps students deal with their on-campus housing options. Berklee alumni are prepared to enter the workforce in a variety of professional music careers. This guide illustrates just a few of them. The mission of Berklee College of Music is to educate, train, and develop students to excel in music as a career.
Other Campus Websites Berklee Online. Resources Academic Calendar. Autocomplete About the Berklee Hub. Accepted Undergraduate Students Overview of Your First Year Welcome Events As an entering student, you'll be required to take proficiency assessments in harmony, arranging, and ear training.
All students must submit completed immunization records in order to finalize their application procedure. The Office of Financial Aid can provide the guidance and resources you need to make a Berklee education affordable. All instrumental departments live under the Performance Division. Faculty Notes Faculty note. Berklee Beat Alumni Grant Winners. Alumni Beat. Faculty Notes. Berklee's Helping Hands. New Dean of Writing Division Named. John Mayer Returns to Berklee. Coda The Spirit of World Music. Final Cadence Final Cadence. Regional Spotlights L.
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