MUS 1118 Introduction to Song Writing

Description:

The course is designed for students with little or no background in music. It provides a broad overview of various songwriting tools to aid students in the creative process. Students will be exposed to various techniques of songwriting through listening to, and analysis of, songs from a variety of genres and epochs. They will do comparative study of songwriters, including those from Uganda focusing on technique. A thread that will run parallel to the main part of the course is an historical examination of how new technology has influenced the development of songwriting through the ages.

Objectives:

  1. To introduce the basic tools of song writing
  2. To develop fundamental music-making skills
  3. To provide a rich source of ideas and techniques to develop your songwriting skills
  4. To learn effective ways of developing ideas into complete songs

Course Outline

Topic 1: Introduction

  • What is a Song?
  • Basics for Creativity
  • Sources of Songs

Topic 2:Song Analysis

  • What Do I Like about It?
  • What Don’t I like it?
  • Qualities of a Good Song

Topic 3:Basics of Song Writing

• Aim of Songwriting
• Infinite Choices
• Tools of Songwriting

  • Story of The Song
  • Simplicity and Repetition

Topic 4: Basic Song Form

• What is Form?
• How Your Market Dictates Form
• Song Form
• Contemporary Song Form
• Analyzing Song Form
• Approaching Song Form

Topic 5: Groove And Two-Chord Forms

• The Beat of History
• Repetitive Song Forms
• Starry Eyed Surprise
• Melodic Phrasing
• Melodic Rhythm

Topic 6: Lyric Writing

  • The Title
  • Outline of the Story and Its Meaning

Topic 7:Lyric and Chords

• Finding the Starting Point
• Pitching the Story
• A Point of Connection
• Classic Stories
• Striking a Chord
• Chord Functions
• Chord Progressions

Topic 8: Types of Melodies

  • Ascending and Descending
  • Steps and Leaps
  • Contour and Shape
  • Climax and Resolution
  • Static and Chants
  • Prosody

Topic 9:Chorus and the Melody

• Melodic Aspect
• Creating Melodies
• Building the Motive
• The Refrain
• Chorus
• Chorus Phrasing
• Singable Melodies

Topic 10: Expanding Your Lyrics

• Song Titles
• Lyrical Hooks
• First Lines First
• Brainstorming
• Magic In Words

Learning Outcomes

  1. Knowledge of the rudiments of music and ability to analyze simple melodies
  2. Ability to write songs whose text and melody relate
  3. Demonstration of the acquisition of music-making skills
  4. Demonstration of the acquisition of the basic tools of song writing

Methods of Teaching/Delivery

Lectures, tutorials, demonstrations, singing, group and individual assignments, and individual instruction

Modes of Assessment

Course work

  • Attendance and Participation in class Discussions: 5%
  • Weekly composition assignments: 20%
  • Mid-semester test: 15%

Final Examination

Written: 60%

Selected Readings

Horne, Greg. 2005. Alfred's Teach Yourself Songwriting: Everything You Need to Know to Start Writing Songs Now! (Teach Yourself Series). N.C: Alfred Publishing Inc.

Moss, Mark. Ed. 1995.Songwriting and the Creative Process: Suggestions and Starting Points for Songwriters. Bethlehem, PA: Sing Out Publication.

Peterik, Jim, Dave Austin, and Mary Ellen Bickford. 2002. Songwriting for Dummies. New York: Wiley Publishing.

Rooksby, Rikky. 2003. The Songwriting Sourcebook: How to Turn Chords Into Great Songs. San Francisco, CA: Backbeat Book.