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Course # / Title: |
SNG 2120. FUNDAMENTALS OF COMMERICAL SONGWRITING II |
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Course Credit Hours: |
3.0 |
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Semester: |
FALL 2008 |
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Instructor: |
THOM SCHUYLER |
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Instructor Contacts: |
615.618.0820 |
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Instructor Office Hours: |
AS AVAILABLE - TBD |
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Class Location: |
MSEAST 201 |
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Meeting Time(s): |
SNG 2120.01 MW 4:00-5:15 PM SNG 2120.02 TR 4:00-5:15 PM |
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Final Exam:
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SNG 2120.01 FRIDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2008 @ 7:00 PM SNG 2120.02 WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2008 @ 2:00 PM |
Course Description:
Prerequisites: SNG 2110 Fundamentals of Commercial Songwriting I. Writing on demand will be introduced (examples: a jingle, a wedding song, a movie theme, an artist-specific style, etc.) Cataloging works will be taught so that participants can keep their output organized, keep their library of ideas filed and develop other good professional habits and discipline. This introduces some of the concepts of the business of being a songwriter. Group writing and critiques will occur.
Course Outcomes: At the end of this course, the student will be able to:
ú Define the essential components of the popular song
ú Identify the historical masters of composition and lyric writing
ú Create songs for varied purposes
ú Communicate in the ‘language’ of the songwriting arena
ú Critique the work of their peers and others
ú Construct and complete commercial songs
Performance Tasks: During this course, the student will:
ú Analyze the work of historical masters in the areas of composition and lyric writing
ú Compose and present a minimum of six (6) songs in various styles
ú Work in conjunction with one or more of their classmates to create collaborated songs
ú Learn from and dialogue with eight (8) industry professionals during guest interviews
ú Spend one-on-one time with instructor
ú Attend several live music events
ú Write and submit reports on master lyricists, composers and songs
ú Listen to and critique classmate’s songs
ú Perform in the classroom
ú Read selected works from industry masters
ú Organize their on-going and incomplete work in an orderly fashion
Assessment Tools: During this course, outcomes mastery will be evaluated by:
ú Written reports and presentations
ú Responsiveness and to in-class exercises and discussions
ú Notable improvement in quality of songwriting assignments
ú General participation in class
ú Quality and growth in song composition
Testing & Assignments:
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Activity |
Credit |
Purpose/Description |
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1. Song Assignments (6) |
60 % |
Based on timely delivery, assessed effort and quality. |
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2. Research Papers (3) |
30 % |
Based on assigned topics to be delivered in writing along with occasional verbal presentation in class. Quality and depth of research, insight and analytical conclusions. |
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3. General Participation |
5 % |
Based on class involvement, sharing of ideas and questions |
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4. Final Review |
5% |
Based on term-ending review of pertinent topics |
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.
It is likely that the instructor will arrange several ‘live-music’ outings throughout the semester. Although it is not mandatory you are urged to attend. Missing the events will not apply toward any attendance records.
Materials:
NONE
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:
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DATE |
TOPIC |
ASSIGNMENTS |
DUE |
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AUGUST |
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W 27 |
Intros/Roster/Calendar |
Song 1 |
15-Sep |
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Th 28 |
Intros/Roster/Calendar |
Song 1 |
16-Sep |
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SEPTEMBER |
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M 1 |
LABOR DAY HOLIDAY |
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T 2 |
Study Great Songs 1 |
Analyze a Hit |
9-Sep |
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W 3 |
Study Great Songs 1/2 |
Analyze a Hit |
8-Sep |
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TH 4 |
Study Great Songs 2 |
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M 8 |
Analysis Presentations |
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T 9 |
Analysis Presentations |
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W 10 |
Lyric Writing 1 |
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TH 11 |
Lyric Writing 1 |
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M 15 |
Song 1 Presentations |
Song 2 |
1-Oct |
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T 16 |
Song 1 Presentations |
Song 2 |
2-Oct |
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W 17 |
Lyric Writing 2 |
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TH 18 |
Lyric Writing 2 |
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M 22 |
Lyric Writing 3 |
Great Lyricists |
9-Oct |
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T 23 |
Lyric Writing 3 |
Great Lyricists |
10-Oct |
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W 24 |
GUEST TBD - Writer |
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TH 25 |
GUEST TBD - Publisher |
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M 29 |
GUEST TBD - Producer |
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T 30 |
GUEST TBD - Tech |
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OCTOBER |
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W 1 |
Song 2 Presentations |
Song 3 |
15-Nov |
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Th 2 |
Song 2 Presentations |
Song 3 |
16-Nov |
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M 6 |
FALL BREAK |
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T 7 |
FALL BREAK |
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W 8 |
FALL BREAK |
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Th 9 |
FALL BREAK |
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M 13 |
Great Lyricists |
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T 14 |
Great Lyricists |
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W 15 |
Song 3 Presentations |
Song 4 |
3-Nov |
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Th 16 |
Song 3 Presentations |
Song 4 |
4-Nov |
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M 20 |
Melody 1 |
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T 21 |
Melody 1 |
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W 22 |
Melody 2 |
Composers |
10-Nov |
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Th 23 |
Melody 2 |
Composers |
11-Nov |
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M 27 |
Rhythm 1 |
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T 28 |
Rhythm 1 |
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W 29 |
Organizational Tips |
Organize! |
12-Nov |
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Th 30 |
Organizational Tips |
Organize! |
13-Nov |
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NOVEMBER |
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M 3 |
Song 4 Presentations |
Song 5 |
24-Nov |
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T 4 |
Song 4 Presentations |
Song 5 |
25-Nov |
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W 5 |
The Business |
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Th 6 |
The Business |
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M 10 |
Composers |
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T 11 |
Composers |
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W 12 |
Write in class |
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Th 13 |
Write in class |
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M 17 |
GUEST TBD - Writer |
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T 18 |
GUEST TBD - Writer |
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W 19 |
GUEST TBD - Label |
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Th 20 |
GUEST TBD - Demos |
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M 24 |
Song 5 Presentations |
Song 6 |
8-Dec |
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T 25 |
Song 5 Presentations |
Song 6 |
9-Dec |
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W 26 |
THANKSGIVING BREAK |
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Th 27 |
THANKSGIVING BREAK |
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DECEMBER |
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M 1 |
Focus: Individual Strengths |
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T 2 |
Focus: Individual Weaknesses |
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W 3 |
Q & A and Review |
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Th 4 |
Q & A and Review |
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M 8 |
Song 6 Presentations |
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T 9 |
Song 6 Presentations |
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