BELMONT UNIVERSITY
MIKE CURB COLLEGE OF ENTERTAINMENT AND MUSIC
BUSINESS
COURSE SYLLABUS
Course
Title: Introduction to Songwriting
Course #: SNG
1110 - 02
Credit
Hrs: 1
Semester: Fall
2007
Class
Location: MS East
Meeting
Times: M 5:00-6:00 PM
Final
Exam: December 11 @ 5:00 PM
Professor: Thom Schuyler
Office: MS East
Contacts: Phone:
618-0820 Email: schuylert@mail.belmont.edu
Course Description:
An
introduction to the “vocabulary” of songwriting. Includes basic song structure
and exposure to the elements of verse, chorus and bridge. Lyric and melody
development, rhythmic content. Idea/title and (hooks) will be studied.
Course Objectives:
As a
result of this course, the student:
Should be able to explain the terminology of songwriting
and identify the basic structures of commercial songs.
Should have an understanding of the
roles of lyric, melody, time signature, tempo, chord
progressions and rhythmic structure in a song.
Should have a basic understanding of the interaction of
these components in the creation of an
effective song.
GOALS
OF THE MIKE CURB COLLEGE OF ENTERTAINMENT AND MUSIC BUSINESS
The following objectives will be
applied toward course completion:
To
provide a personalized, career-oriented and practical education that emphasizes
leadership,
innovation,
private enterprise, and entrepreneurship.
To
equip students with the tools to think critically, communicate effectively,
accept responsibility,
make
successful decisions, and prosper in diverse work environments.
To
emphasize quality classroom instruction within the parameters of ethical
Christian principles.
HONOR CODE: It is the responsibility of each student to
abide by the Belmont University Honor Code:
“In
affirmation of the Belmont University Statement of Values, I pledge that I will
not give or receive aid during examinations; I will not give or receive false
or impermissible aid in course work, in the preparation of reports, or in any
other type of work that is to be used by the instructor as the basis of my
grade; I will not engage in any form of academic fraud. Furthermore, I will
uphold my responsibility to see to it that others abide by the spirit and
letter of this Honor Pledge.”
“Accommodation of Disabilities: In compliance with
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act,
Belmont University will provide reasonable accommodation of all medically
documented disabilities. If you have a disability and would like the university
to provide reasonable accommodations of the disability during this course,
please notify the Office of the Dean of Students located in Beaman Student Life
Center (460-6407) as soon as possible.”
Course Requirements:
1.
Attendance: It is my recommendation that
you attend all of the class meetings for the best learning experience. Absence is permitted only in case of illness
or family emergencies. For a complete
explanation of the attendance policy see the Belmont University Bulletin
online.
2.
Materials: Websites listed on class
schedules and given in class.
3.
Prepared assignments:
Research Reports: Each student will submit
2 Research Reports on the dates stated in the syllabus under Class
Schedule. The paper may be single or
double-spaced and should include the date, student name and class section
number. These reports may be discussed
in class. NO REPORTS ACCEPTED LATE.
Verbal Report:
Each student will prepare and deliver one verbal report to the class.
4.
Testing: 2 tests will be given in the class on the
dates stated under class schedule. NO MAKE UP TESTS WILL BE GIVEN.
5.
Basis of grade evaluation:
Research reports = 20% each, Verbal report = 20%,
midterm=20%, final= 20%
Grading scale: 97-100 = A+, 93-96 = A, 90-92 =A-, 87-89 =
B+, 83-86 = B,
80-82 = B-, 77-79 = C+, 73-76 =
C, 70-72 = C-, 67-69 = D+, 63-66 + D, 60-62 = D-,
59 and
below = F
6.
Class Schedule:
Mon. Aug. 27 Introduction/class
syllabus. Class survey. A brief history of songs
Sept 3 Labor Day. No class
September 10 Song Terminology: presentation, definition and discussion of the ‘language’ of songwriting. Begin lyric-writing component. (Assignment – Bring in a CD copy of a song you deem to be of superior lyrical quality.)
September 17 Lyrics continued. Lyric-writing exercises; review students’ assignments.
September 24 Assignment review continued. Lyrical hooks, titles and their development. Research paper #1 assigned.
October 1 Guest speaker and/or sub…
October 8 Listen to students’ songs
October 15 Listen to students’ songs. Research paper #1 due.
October 22 Midterm
October 29 Musical components (melody, chord changes, tempo, time signature, groove, etc.) defined and discussed. (Assignment – Bring a CD copy of a song you deem to be of superior musical quality and be prepared to defend it. Research paper #2 assigned.)
November 5 Melodies continued. Review 10/29 assignment.
November 12 Continue musical components discussion and continue review of 10/29 assignment. Research paper #2 due.
November 19 Guest panel. The Real World of Songwriting.
November 26 Listen to students’ songs.
December 3 Listen to students’ songs. Review of semester.
December 11 Final exam – 5:00 PM – Venue TBD
THOM
SCHUYLER
Thom Schuyler is a native of
Pennsylvania and began his musical career as a songwriter and performer at the
age of 21. He has been in Nashville
since 1978 and has involved himself in a various aspects of the music
community. Thom has enjoyed significant
success as a composer, performer, community-activist and record label
executive.
Thom served as President of The
Nashville Songwriters Association, International for two terms, as Chairman of
the Nashville Songwriters Foundation for a decade and as both President and
Chairman of the Country Music Association.
He has received four ‘Songwriter of the Year’ nominations from the NSAI,
has been a five-time nominee for entry into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of
Fame and his song “16th Avenue” was a nominee for Song of the Year at the 1983
CMA Awards.
Thom was tapped to lead the Nashville
division of The RCA Records Label in
1992 and continued his tenure with the label as Sr. VP of A&R from
1995-98. During his time at RCA Thom was
directly involved in signing Kenny Chesney, Lonestar and Mindy McCready. He was also responsible for the early career
development of Martina McBride and Sara Evans while working with
long-established acts Alabama, Clint Black, Aaron Tippin and Lorrie Morgan.
Thom and his wife, Sarah, have been
married for 29 years and have three children – Tallu, Roy and Luke. Thom is currently serving as Youth Director
at Woodmont Christian Church.
Following is an abridged discography
of some of Thom’s more significant songs:
BMI 2 MILLION-AIRPLAY AWARDS Love Will Turn You Around
BMI MILLION-AIRPLAY AWARDS A Long Line of Love
I Fell in Love Again Last Night I Don't Know Where to Start
Life Gets Away Love Out Loud Point of Light
BMI AWARD-WINNING COMPOSITIONS 16th Avenue
A Love Like That My Old Yellow Car Nothing Like Falling in Love
Years After You You Can't Stop Love