Course # / Title:

SNG 2110 01 Fund. of Commercial Songwriting I

Course Credit Hours:

3

Semester:

Spring 2009

Instructor:

Andrew Ramsey, Bachelor of Music

Instructor Contacts:

615-460-6508; ramseyd@mail.belmont.edu

Instructor Office Hours:

Tues/Thurs 10:45-11:15AM or by appointment

Class Location:

Music Square East 201

Meeting Time(s):

Tues/Thurs 9:30AM – 10:45AM

Final Exam:

Tues. May 12, 2009, 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, as well as presentation of original musical compositions submitted in written, recorded or live performance forms.

 

Testing & Assignments:

 

Activity

Credit

Purpose/Description

1.  Song Assignment 1

20 %

An original lyric composition assignment

2.  Song Assignment 2

20 %

An original melody composition assignment

3.  Song Assignment 3

30 %

A song co-writing assignment with a fellow student

4.  Song Assignment 4

30 %

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:

 

Grade

Percent (GPA)

A

94 (4.0)

A-

90 (3.7)

B+

87 (3.3)

B

84 (3.0)

B-

80 (2.7)

C+

77 (2.3)

C

74 (2.0)

C-

70 (1.7)

Final grades below 70 % will not apply to the major.

D+

67

D

64

D-

60

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.     Jan. 15 Introductions/Class syllabus

Tue.      Jan. 20 The History of the Popular Song; Great Songs and Songwriters, Early 20th Century

Thur.     Jan. 22 The History of the Popular Song; Great Songs and Songwriters, Late 20th Century – Present                                                                                                (Read Chapter 1)

Tue.      Jan. 27 Identifying Song Components                                                                                         Verse, Pre-Chorus, Chorus, Bridge

Thur.     Jan. 29 Non-Traditional Song Forms or Variations             (Read Chapter 2)

Tue.      Feb. 3 Anatomy of a Song (Critiquing Students Favorite Songs)   

Thur.     Feb. 5 Anatomy of a Song, Continued

Tue.      Feb. 10 Creativity – Preparing for Battle

Thur.     Feb. 12 Creativity – Problem Solving, Self-Critiquing & The Morning After                                                                                                                                      (Read Chapter 3)

Tue.      Feb. 17 Lyric Writing – Meter, Rhyme, and Time

Thur.     Feb. 19 Lyric Writing – Titles and Hooks                                      (Read Chapter 4)

Tue.      Feb. 24 Writing for Specialty Markets/Review

Thur.     Feb. 26 Mid Term                                                                     Song #1 Due               

 

 

 

(Class Schedule, Continued)

 

Tue.      Mar. 3   Song 1 Presentations Continued                                     (Read Chapter 5)

Thur.     Mar. 5   Composing Melodies – Form, Feeling, and Phrasing

Tue.      Mar. 10 SPRING BREAK

Thur.     Mar. 12 SPRING BREAK

Tue.      Mar. 17 Melodies – Rhythm, Repetition, and The Musical Hook

Thur.     Mar. 19 Harmony/Chords – Standard Progressions and The NNS   (Read Ch. 6,7)

Tue.      Mar. 24 Chord Progressions – Chords as Hooks/Getting Fancy     (Read Ch. 8-10)

Thur.     Mar. 26 Song Presentations                                                      Song #2 Due

Tue.      Mar. 31 Co-Writing                    

Thur.     April 2   Guest Speaker/Co-Writing                                              (Co-writing Assignment)

Tue.      April 7   Song Demos – Making Your Song Presentable

Thur.     April 9   EASTER BREAK          

Tue.      April 14 Song Demos – Doing It Yourself or Calling In Favors        (Read Ch. 11-14)

Thur.     April 16 Publishing – What & What Not To Expect           

Tue.      April 21 Publishing – Selling It Yourself/Politics

Thur.     April 23 Listening to student songs                                              Song # 3 Due

Tue.      April 28 Open discussion/Non-assignment song critiques                                                 

Thur.     April 30 Listening to student songs                                              Song #4 Due

Tue.      May 5   Listening to student songs, continued/Last day wrap-up

Tue.      May 12 8:00 AM – FINAL EXAM