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Course # / Title: |
SNG 2110.02/Fundamentals of Commercial Songwriting I |
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Course Credit Hours: |
3 |
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Semester: |
Spring, 2008 |
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Instructor: |
Ginny Owens, Bachelor of Music Education |
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Instructor Contacts: |
615-289-2828; chickpowermusic@gmail.com |
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Instructor Office Hours |
Mon/Wed 5:15-6:15 or by appointment |
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Class Location: |
Music Square East 218 |
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Meeting Time(s): |
Mon/Wed 4:00-5:15 p.m. |
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Final Exam: |
Fri, May 8, 7:00 p.m. |
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 is 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, as well as presentation of original musical compositions submitted in written, recorded or live performance forms.
ú Song collaboration assignments
ú Weekly journal submissions
Testing & Assignments:
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Activity |
Credit |
Purpose/Description |
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1. Weekly Journal entry |
20 % |
A song, poem, essay, memoir, or story submitted each Monday |
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2. Song Assignment 1 |
15 % |
Original composition evaluated for writer’s potential strengths, weaknesses, and “writing voice.” |
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3. Song Assignment 2/Midterm |
20 % |
Original composition assessed for its commercial viability; multiple choice mid-term exam based on previously-covered material |
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4. Song Assignment 3 |
20 % |
Composition co-written by two or more class members. Evaluated on the basis of commercial song structure and viability. |
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5. Song Assignment 4/Final Exam |
25 % |
An original song assessed for commercial viability, as well as a multiple choice/short answer exam based on material covered throughout the semester. |
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: Jason Blume (Billboard Books)
Spiral-bound notebook, loose-leaf binder with blank pages, or journal for writing activities
Writing utensils
Recommended Reading:
Bird by Bird: Anne Lamott, (Random House)
The Artist's Way: Julia Cameron "Tarcher"
Writing Down the Bones: Natalie Goldberg (Shambahla)
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:
Wed. Jan. 14: Introductions/Class syllabus, set presentation schedule
Mon. Jan. 19: Martin Luther King Day
Wed. Jan. 21: Writing exercise; The History of the Popular Song- Early 20th Century; Group 1 presentations
Mon. Jan. 26: Writing exercise; The History of the Popular Song (continued); Group 2 presentations; Journal Entry 1 due by midnight; read Chapter 1 before next class
Wed. Jan. 28: Writing exercise; Identifying Song Components Verse, Pre-Chorus, Chorus, Bridge;
Group 3 presentations
Mon. Feb. 2: Writing exercise; Song identification and analysis continued; Journal Entry 2 due by midnight; Read Chapter 2 for next class
Wed. Feb. 4: Writing exercise; Anatomy of a Song (critiquing popular songs); Group 1 and 2 favorites
Mon. Feb. 9: Writing exercise; Anatomy of a Song, Continued; Group 2 and 3 favorites; Journal Entry 3 due by midnight;
Wed. Feb. 11: Writing exercise; Non-Traditional Song Forms;
Mon. Feb. 16: Writing exercise; Song Forms (continued); Journal Entry 4 due by midnight; read Chapter 3 before next class
Wed. Feb. 18: Writing exercise; Analyzing Songs: What Works, What Doesn’t, and Why?; improv fun; read Chapter 4 for next time;
Mon. Feb. 23: Creativity – Problem Solving, Preparing for Battle, and Self-Critiquing; Journal Entry 5 due by midnight;
Wed. Feb. 25: Special guests share their songwriting journeys
Mon. March 2: Writing exercise:Lyric Writing – Titles and Hooks; Group 1 presentations; Journal Entry 6
due by midnight;
Wed. Mar 4: Writing exercise; Group 2 and 3 presentations
Mon. Mar 9: Spring Break!
Wed. Mar 11: Spring Break!
Mon. Mar 16: Writing exercise; Lyric-writing (continued); Journal Entry 7
due by midnight;
Wed. Mar 18: Writing exercise; Lyrical hooks; Embracing Magic Words; Abandoning the Cliche;
Mon. Mar 23: Writing exercise; Conquering Melody; Journal Entry 8
due by midnight; Read Ch. 6,7;
Wed. Mar 25: Writing Exercise: Discovering the Musical Hook; Co-writing teams formed;
Mon. Mar 30: Writing exercise; Co-writing fun begins; Journal Entry 9 due by midnight
Wed. Apr. 1: Writing exercise; co-write performances;
Mon. Apr. 6: Writing exercise; Co-writes (continued); Journal Entry 10 due;
Wed. Apr. 8: Writing exercise; Special guest music industry pro analyzes your songs
Mon. Apr. 13: Writing exercise; "Let's Make a Demo!"; Journal Entry 11 due by midnight
Wed. Apr. 15: Writing exercise: “Let’s Make a Demo” (continued)
Mon. Apr. 20: Writing exercise: Publishing Low-Down--being an artist-writer, becoming a staff writer, or
doing it yourself; read Chs. 11-14; Journal Entry 12 due by midnight
Wed. Apr. 22: Writing exercise; Publishing discussion continued;
Mon. Apr. 27: Writing exercise; Going deeper: A Closer Look at What Makes Songs Work;
Wed. Apr. 29: Writing exercise; Preparing for final exam and song submission;
Mon. May 4: It’s a preparation party!