The HSD SongLab

A hands-on six-week program where you revise, refine, and complete one original song.

The HSD SongLab is a guided six-week Hit Songs Deconstructed masterclass experience designed to help you develop one original song from its current draft to a finished version.

Throughout the program, you’ll be paired with an accountability partner for each stage of the song-development process. Between sessions, you’ll check in with each other, share progress, exchange feedback, and help keep both songs moving forward.

Every Tuesday, you'll have the opportunity to ask David Penn any questions you may have, and get direct feedback as you work on your song.

Schedule:

  • Saturday, September 26: Melody & Hooks
  • Tuesday, September 29: Office Hours
  • Tuesday, October 6: Office Hours
  • Saturday, October 10: Lyrics & Rhymes
  • Tuesday, October 13: Office Hours
  • Tuesday, October 20: Office Hours
  • Saturday, October 24: Structure & Arrangement
  • Tuesday, October 27: Office Hours
  • Tuesday, November 3: Office Hours
  • Saturday, November 7: Final Listening Session

At the end of the program, you’ll present your finished song in the final listening session.

Masterclass Overview

Six-Week Program

The program consists of three live masterclasses, each focused on a critical aspect of song development: Melody & Hooks, Lyrics & Rhymes, and Structure & Arrangement. The program concludes with a final listening session, where you'll present your finished song.

Hands-On Masterclass

Using HSD tools, checklists and workbooks to guide you, after each masterclass segment you'll complete homework assignments to solidify the concepts you learned, and then apply them to your song.

Accountability Partner

During this masterclass, you'll be paired with an accountability partner, giving you the opportunity to exchange feedback and support each other’s progress throughout the program.

Get Direct Feedback from David Penn

Weekly Tuesday office hours provide you with an opportunity to ask David questions and get direct feedback as you work through your song.

Your Masterclass Includes:

  • 4 Live Sessions with Q&A
  • Office hours every Tuesday
  • Tools, workbooks, checklists,
  • Homework assignment to solidify concepts covered in class
  • Accountability partner
  • Certificate of Completion

What People Are Saying

"A superbly organized and heavily detailed study of all things Max."

 

Andy Karp  | Partner, Artist Haven

"I was blown away by the Max Martin Hits masterclass. So thorough and insightful - a great blend of theory and art."

Amy Sky  | Recording Artist, Songwriter, Producer, 3x SOCAN-winning singer-songwriter

"Max Martin Hits Deconstructed was amazing. I spent my Saturday learning about and listening to one of the best producers (in my opinion) music and dissecting what makes it so great. The analysis was really deep and it got me thinking about song structure and form in a new way. I'm listening to songs with different more informed ears now. I highly recommend investing in learning more about how the best in the biz do what they do."

Dana Carmel  | Singer/Songwriter

"If a McKinsey consultant were to study Max Martin, something like this masterclass would be there deliverable. Excellent, pragmatic , actionable analysis - thank you!"

Kari Loya  | Artist | Musician | Producer | Songwriter

"It opened my mind to a more structured approach to the melody writing part of my own songs. The analysis are deep and logical. Everything in this is very helpful."

Paolo Nanni  | Songwriter/Producer

"This workshop was extremely valuable and provided a lot of insight. I feel it has condensed into a few hours what would have been years of researching and discovery on my own. Highly recommended and will definitely stay up-to-date about future workshops!"

John Michael Kawooya  | Music Producer/Teacher

"I really advise the Hit Song Deconstructed Max Martin masterclass. As a huge fan of this amazing songwriter, it was both very instructive and fascinating! The topics were very well chosen, the class spanned a wide range of key song characteristics, it was detailed, clear and explained very clearly. These analyses are clever and high level, they should be extremely useful to any (aspiring) songwriter or music enthusiast! Thank you!"

Sabine  | @maxmartinmusic Instagram fan page

Great masterclass with a lot of in-depth information that's very relevant for the modern songwriter! David Penn knows how the present and makes it accesable and understandable for everyone.

Tjeerd van Zanen  | Producer/Songwriter

I attended the online masterclass deconstructing Max Martin's songwriting techniques. Both the teachers and the course materials were excellent, providing invaluable insights into the methods of the world's greatest commercial songwriter.

Steve Leslie  | Songwriter/Producer

For anyone who wants to learn the secret formula behind 56 Top 10 Hits of the past decade, this workshop is invaluable! I highly recommend all of the courses from Hit Songs Deconstructed. If you're a songwriter, there's always something new to be learned in their workshops and masterclasses!

Andrew Colyer  | Recording Artist/Performer/Composer

Delved in much deeper into melodic math than I anticipated. The breakdowns of Max Martin’s songs were very detailed and helped to highlight what makes his songs tick and why his songs stick in your mind. The course material was presented excellently and the presenter was always happy to answer any questions. Overall, excellent.

Jules Lai  | Songwriter

It was so informative and well laid out. It covered every aspect of how Martins numerous hits are put together. As a longtime songwriter, I learned some new things and some valuable tips and tricks. I highly recommend any of the Hits Deconstructed.

Gerald O'Brien  | Producer/Songwriter/Composer

"I got so much out of this Masterclass Session. A really beneficial session especially considering the reasonable time & $ investment. I have been studying and practicing the craft of contemporary songwriting and production for many years, and despite this, I have stumbled with having concise concepts and terms to use to explain a range of melodic and hook devices that I 'hear' in other's songs. Therefore the HSD insight and approach is really liberating. I am now really looking forward to applying my new insight into my analysis and writing sessions moving forward from today. "

David L Page  | Senior Lecturer, Music, Audio Production

"I am thankful to have attended this masterclass. I learned a lot of valuable information that will help me moving forward. I know that I am going to put it to use."

Jamarcus Brown  | Songwriter, Producer, Singer, Engineer, and Performer.

"Having read and watched a lot on the topic, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but the content was incredibly valuable. It was systematically demonstrated with clear, concrete examples, one after another, with engaging audience interactions. I’d recommend the masterclass because it’s a deep, guided listening session, and David’s passion for the topic makes it all the more enjoyable!"

Cyrille  | Pop music catchiness geek

Your Course Instructor,
David Penn

David developed the "Hit Songs Deconstructed" methodology in 2010, which revolutionized how popular music is analyzed. This led to the creation of Hit Songs Deconstructed, which is now widely used by songwriters, producers, labels and publishers.

Hit Songs Deconstructed is also being used by institutions such as Berklee College of Music, USC Thornton, NYU, and many others, and has been featured in Billboard, Variety, Music Week, ASCAP, among others.

David also uses this methodology in his one-on-one coaching as well as to create custom workshops for major labels such as Atlantic Records and publishers such as BMG.

FAQ

Will Max Martin Participate in this Class

No. This class is taught by Hit Songs Deconstructed co-founder, David Penn, and analyzes the techniques found in his Hot 100 #1 hits.

Who is this masterclass for?

Songwriters, producers, artists, and music industry professionals interested in learning the craft behind Max Martin's hits.

What knowledge of songwriting and music theory is required?

A solid foundation in the basic craft of songwriting and music theory is highly recommended.

What is the basis for the material covered?

Max Martin's Hot 100 #1 Hits (1996 - 2025)

How is thE material conveyed?

Hit Songs Deconstructed masterclasses use the acclaimed Hit Songs Deconstructed methodology to analyze the inner-workings of hit songs and feature a combination of audio examples, graphs, charts, commentary, and, in some cases, DAW sessions to illustrate principles and techniques.


Active listening exercises are at the core our masterclasses, so make sure you watch the masterclass with high quality audio/headphones.

WHAT DO I GET WHEN I PURCHASE THIS MASTERCLASS?

  • Lifetime access to the video recording of the live masterclass
  • The PDF of the masterclass presentation deck
  • A Spotify playlist with all the songs referenced during the presentation
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