Sitting in the middle of a bright, high-ceilinged white room, David Crosby, famous singer, songwriter and guitarist, closed his eyes and softly sang his favorite tunes as if no one was watching. His visibly aged hands gently crafted somber melodies on the guitar.

Crosby, now 71, visited City College on Wednesday afternoon in West Campus’s Drama-Music Building. He taught the class his approach to songwriting, which he calls the best job in the world.

“I think ideas are the most powerful things on the planet: not guns, not bombs,” he said. “Songs, I mean they have a lot of different things that they do, but they really are good at communicating ideas.”

Crosby is the founder of acclaimed bands, including The Byrds, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, and Crosby, Pevar and Raymond. His solo album “If I Could Only Remember My Name” peaked No. 12 on the billboard chart in 1971.

With his musical aptitude and humorous anecdotes, Crosby mesmerized approximately 40 students of the songwriting class instructed by John Clark, chair of the music department.

Crosby, City College alumnus, comes to the school and shares experience with students occasionally upon Clark’s invitation. City College is the only school lucky enough to host his periodic visits.

A song may carry news or recount a story that the songwriter has witnessed, Crosby said. He gave several examples from personal experience of how a song is created.

Playing an instrument everyday enhances the opportunity for a good song to emerge, Crosby added.

He went to jail in Texas for drug use in 1982. Crosby said to the students that after his imprisonment, he realized the more drugs he used, the fewer songs he wrote.

When the matter of modern music was raised, Crosby admitted that contemporary pop music only promotes superficial stardom.

“I understand what they’re doing, but to me it’s like profaning something sacred,” Crosby said. “I have that feeling that we have another thing that should be in our hearts and in our heads than trying to be on the cover of Rolling Stone.”

Crosby played chords from his former work and a newly written song titled, “What Time I Had.” His voice was soft, and almost at a murmur. Halfway through, it swelled into a strong, passionate tone before fading out with nostalgia.

When Crosby talked about techniques to gain exotic sounds from a guitar, he captured the students’ boundless attention.

Clark invited Crosby to the class so his students can learn how to turn a good song into a great song.

By the end of the class, some students performed their original music to Crosby. The songwriting veteran enjoyed the performances and applauded all the students.

Max Bevis, 26, did not expect Crosby’s visit when he enrolled in this class, but was amazed by his skill. Bevis learned about Crosby through his parents, who are fans of the musician.

“He’s funny, insightful and has a lot of good advice to give,” Bevis said. “He is a great musician.”