MUSC 269 Songwriting II. This course is designed to strengthen your songwriting skills in every respect. Closer attention is paid to marketing skills, legal procedures, finding one's personal niche in the music business (whether to focus on one's own style, concentrate on writing tunes for other acts, or both; whether to go through a publisher or be your own publisher; etc.). Co-writing music is to be explored (you put lyrics to someone else's music; they put music to yours). Class time centers around the analysis of successful songwriters in every genre.
Prerequisites: MUSC 268 with a minimum grade of 70%
Accessibility Services Notice
Students who would like an academic accommodation and who have a documented disability should contact Accessibility Services, if they have not already done so.Course Details| Total number of weeks | 15 |
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| Total Credits | |
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| Total Hours | 30 |
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Typical hours per week breakdown| Lecture | 2 |
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Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, the learner will be able to:
- Augment and refine their portfolio
- Co-write and co-produce songs
- Analyze and appraise songs and productions
- Analyze and label types of rhyme and rhyme schemes
- Experiment through application of rhythmic, harmonic, and literary devices to songwriting
- Prepare songs for licensing and publication
- Operate a songwriter’s home studio
Teaching and Learning Approach
Students actively participate in this class through writing exercises, listening and analysis, open discussion,
collaboration, and presentation of original songs. Weekly assignments give students the opportunity to explore
concepts discussed in class. Assignments and assessments will be delivered in class and online using Moodle.Learning Resources
Required:
"The Craft of Songwriting: Music, Meaning & Emotion" by Scarlet Keys. (Berklee Press) 978-0-87639-192-1
Recommended:
"Writing Better Lyrics", by Pat Pattison
"Essential Guide to Lyric Form and Structure", by Pat Pattison
"Melody In Songwriting", by Jack Perricone
"Tunesmith", by Jimmy Webb
"The Artist’s Way", by Julia CameronDetailed Course Content, Topics, and Sequence Covered
1. Introduction and overview Class agreement Waking Up Creativity
2. Review of the songwriter's tools Song Analysis Assignment Schedule of Song Analysis presentations
3. Co-writing from a prompt
4. Presentation of co-written songs Song analysis presentations Assign Midterm project
5. Advanced harmonic concepts Song analysis presentations
6. Advanced melodic concepts Song analysis presentations
7. Study Break - no class
8. Midterm Project Presentations
9. Toplining co-writing
10. Present toplining songs Song analysis presentations Final project assigned
11. Lyric development Song analysis presentations
12. Songwriting business
13. Guest lecturer
14. Workshop Final Project Songs
15. Final Project PresentationsAssessment
| Title | Learning Outcomes | Value |
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| Participation & Professionalism | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 | 10% |
| Weekly Writing & Process | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 | 30% |
| Song Craft Analysis Presentation | 3, 4 | 10% |
| Midterm Song | 1, 5, 6, 7 | 25% |
| Final Song | 1, 5, 6, 7 | 25% |
| Total | 100% |
Grading Table
Standard Contemporary Music and Technology Program Grading Table
| Percentage | Letter Grade | GPA |
| 97 - 100 | A+ | 4.33 |
| 94 - 96.9 | A | 4.00 |
| 90 - 93.9 | A- | 3.67 |
| 87 - 89.9 | B+ | 3.33 |
| 83 - 86.9 | B | 3.00 |
| 80 - 82.9 | B- | 2.67 |
| 77 - 79.9 | C+ | 2.33 |
| 73 - 76.9 | C | 2.00 |
| 70 - 72.9 | C- | 1.67 |
| 60 - 69.9 | P | 1.00 |
| Less than 60% | F | 0.00 |
| Did not withdraw | DNW | 0.00 |
See the Academic Calendar for General Information including how to withdraw from course(s) and other regulations.
Disclaimer
Information contained in this course outline is correct at the time of publication. Content of the course is revised on an ongoing basis to ensure relevance to changing educational, employment and market needs. The instructor will endeavor to provide notice of changes to students as soon as possible. The instructor reserves the right to add or delete material from courses.