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Course # / Title: |
SNG 2110 02 Fund. of Commercial Songwriting I |
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Course Credit Hours: |
3 |
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Semester: |
Fall 2008 |
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Instructor: |
Andrew Ramsey, Bachelor of Music |
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Instructor Contacts: |
615-460-6508; ramseyd@mail.belmont.edu |
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Instructor Office Hours: |
Tues/Thurs 10:45-11:15AM or by appointment |
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Class Location: |
Music Square East 201 |
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Meeting Time(s): |
Tues/Thurs 9:30AM – 10:45AM |
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Final Exam: |
Tues. Dec. 16, 2008, 8:00AM |
Course Description:
This is the practical application and technique of the working songwriter. Melody, lyrics, “hooks,” points of view and song logic will be covered. Solo writing as well as the concept of collaboration are introduced. Participants will work individually and in small groups.
Course Outcomes: At the end of this course, the student will be able to:
Performance Tasks: During this course, the student will:
Assessment Tools: During this course, outcomes mastery will be evaluated by:
ú Written responses comprising short and multiple choice answers
ú Presentation of original musical compositions submitted in written, recorded or live performance forms.
Testing & Assignments:
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Activity |
Credit |
Purpose/Description |
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1. Song Assignment 1 |
20 % |
An original lyric composition assignment |
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2. Song Assignment 2 |
20 % |
An original melody composition assignment |
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3. Song Assignment 3 |
20 % |
A song co-writing assignment with a fellow student |
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4. Mid-Term Exam |
20 % |
A comprehensive test comprising multiple-choice question that will measure the depth of the student’s knowledge base of the topic and short-answer questions that will assess the student’s assimilation of knowledge gained from lectures and readings. |
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5. Song Assignment 4 |
20 % |
An entire original song composition assignment |
Course & Classroom Policies:
Attendance & Participation: Class attendance follows university policy as stated in the current Undergraduate Bulletin. Class participation is expected; attendance and absence will be noted.
Materials:
6 Steps To Songwriting Success by Jason Blume (Billboard Books)
Grade Evaluation: As per CEMB policy, the grade assignment scale for this course is:
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Grade |
Percent (GPA) |
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A |
94 (4.0) |
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A- |
90 (3.7) |
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B+ |
87 (3.3) |
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B |
84 (3.0) |
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B- |
80 (2.7) |
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C+ |
77 (2.3) |
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C |
74 (2.0) |
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C- |
70 (1.7) |
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Final grades below 70 % will not apply to the major. |
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D+ |
67 |
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D |
64 |
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D- |
60 |
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F |
< 60 |
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.
Class Schedule:
Thur. Aug. 28 Introductions/Class syllabus
Tue. Sept. 2 The History of the Popular Song; Great Songs and Songwriters, Early 20th Century
Thur. Sept. 4 The History of the Popular Song; Great Songs and Songwriters, Late 20th Century – Present (Read Chapter 1)
Tue. Sept. 9 Identifying Song Components Verse, Pre-Chorus, Chorus, Bridge
Thur. Sept. 11Non-Traditional Song Forms or Variations (Read Chapter 2)
Tue. Sept. 16 Anatomy of a Song (Critiquing Students Favorite Songs)
Thur. Sept. 18 Anatomy of a Song, Continued
Tue. Sept. 23 Creativity – Preparing for Battle
Thur. Sept. 25 Creativity – Problem Solving, Self-Critiquing & The Morning After (Read Chapter 3)
Tue. Sept. 30 Lyric Writing – Meter, Rhyme, and Time
(Class Schedule, Continued)
Thur. Oct. 2 Lyric Writing – Titles and Hooks (Read Chapter 4)
Tue. Oct. 7 FALL BREAK
Thur. Oct. 9 Writing for Specialty Markets Song #1 Due
Tue. Oct. 14 Song 1 Presentations Continued/Review for Mid-Term
Thur. Oct. 16 Mid Term (Read Chapter 5)
Tue. Oct. 21 Composing Melodies – Form, Feeling, and Phrasing
Thur. Oct. 23 Melodies – Rhythm, Repetition, and The Musical Hook
Tue. Oct. 28 Harmony/Chords – Standard Progressions and The NNS
Thur. Oct. 30 Chord Progressions – Chords as Hooks/Getting Fancy (Read Ch. 6,7)
Tue. Nov. 4 Song #2 Due/Presentations (Read Ch. 8-10)
Thur. Nov. 6 Guest Speaker/Co-Writing
Tue. Nov. 11 Guest Speaker/Co-Writing (Co-writing Assignment)
Thur. Nov. 13 Song Demos – Making Your Song Presentable
Tue. Nov. 18 Song Demos – Doing It Yourself or Calling In Favors
Thur. Nov. 20 Song # 3 Due/Presentations
Tue. Nov. 25 Publishing – What & What Not To Expect /Politics (Read Ch. 11-14)
Thur. Nov. 27 Students Choice Day – Listen to any music, ask any question
Tue. Dec. 2 Listening to student songs Song # 4 Due
Thur. Dec. 4 Listening to student songs, continued
Tue. Dec. 9 Last day of class – wrap up
Tue. Dec. 16 8:00 AM – FINAL EXAM