The Happy Notes Songwriter Starter Retreat, founded by Parikrama and Submarine In Space guitarist Abhishek Mittal, takes place between Sept. 19 and 22 in Rishikesh Happy Notes' Guitarists Retreat earlier in 2024. Photo: Courtesy of Happy Notes After taking a bunch of guitarists into the wild for the first edition of Happy Notes Guitar Retreat, Meerut-origin musician Abhishek Mittal – from rock favorites and his own band, – is focusing on songwriting for their second edition.
The heads to Rishikesh this week, taking place between Sept. 19 and 22. The goal for Mittal is to help facilitate music creation.
“In the last retreat, we wrote about seven to eight tunes in a span of two days. This time we will have everyone write their own songs. So let’s say 60 students enroll, by the end of the retreat, we will have 60 songs!” he says.
The retreat is an extension of Mittal’s music education platform Happy Notes, formally launched in 2023. He says, “Being in the same boat as these musicians and being a self- taught musician for most part of my life, I wish to change the scenario of music education in India by imparting knowledge that not only elevates the musical level of the student but also helps them in the practical world.” Like the first guitar retreat, the upcoming songwriting camp lays the emphasis on learning in a community setting and encourages friendships.
The three-day program covers the essence of storytelling in songwriting, as well as composing across gen.