The Creative Process of Songwriting and Its Context Within a Shifting Industry
MUSC 299
Spring 2016 not offered
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Music sits at the forefront of creative and technological revolutions, and songwriting remains the fundamental form of its expression. This course will focus on the creative process of songwriting but will contextualize the art form within a fundamentally shifting industry. During the semester, students will write, co-write, and analyze songs to establish and engage their own songwriting voice. Songwriting exercises, in-class critique, guest speakers from the worlds of art and business, and a final presentation of finished work will provide a holistic picture of what is created when a song is written.
In addition, focus will be placed on what the song is from a business standpoint. Issues of publishing, copyright, mechanical royalties, licensing, and synchronization will be discussed via readings and guest speakers from music's legal and administrative worlds. |
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| Credit: 1 |
Gen Ed Area Dept:
HA MUSC |
| Course Format: Lecture / Discussion | Grading Mode: Student Option |
| Level: UGRD |
Prerequisites: None |
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Fulfills a Requirement for: None |
Major Readings:
Required Texts:
Pattison, Pat. WRITING BETTER LYRICS. Writer's Digest Books, 2009
Zollo, Paul. SONGWRITERS ON SONGWRITING. Da Capo Press, 2003
Optional, but Recommended Text:
ROGET'S THESAURUS
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Examinations and Assignments:
Eight songs (including one revision) written throughout the semester, recorded or performed in a way that conveys the fundamentals of the song (production value does not count towards final grade, but all assigned songs must be uploaded to Box.com)
All readings and projects will be due one week after they are assigned unless specifically noted.
Daily "object writing," as described in Pat Pattison's text, which will facilitate an unrestricted, "automatic" flow of ideas. Journals will be turned in, meaning a second, "understudy" journal will be needed for the brief period of time that students are without their original journal.
Two in-depth song analyses (3-5 pgs.)
A final paper (5-7 pgs.) outlining students' creative mission statements
Final performance of one song written during the semester |
Additional Requirements and/or Comments:
Students will be required to collaborate on songs. Emphasis will be placed on students' ability to convey finished work - this can be anything from live performance to use of music recording software. Attendance will be taken and lateness will be taken into account.
Students should send an email to the instructor giving a short description of why they want to take this course, along with a URL, mp3, etc, of any music if possible.
Graduate students are not eligible for this course. |
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