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Course # / Title: |
SNG 3110/Songwriting Practicum |
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Course Credit Hours: |
3 hours |
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Semester: |
SPRING 2009 |
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Instructor: |
JAMES I. ELLIOTT, A.A.S, B.A., M.A. |
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Instructor Contacts: |
460-5513, elliottj@mai.belmont.edu |
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Instructor Office Hours: |
Mon. 8:00-12:00, Tue. 9:30-12:30, Wed. 11:30-12:30, Fri. Office or writing |
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Class Location: |
MS201 |
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Meeting Time(s): |
Monday & Wednesday 1:00-2:15 |
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Final Exam: |
Wednesday, May 6: 2:00-4:00 |
Course Description:
The development of an individual’s unique songwriting “voice” is encouraged and the study of the songwriting business continues. The course explores songwriting creativity based on individual’s genre preference. The publisher/songwriter relationship will be developed through specific writing assignments. Internships at song-publishing companies are encouraged.
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:
Testing & Assignments:
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Activity |
Credit |
Description/Purpose |
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1. Compose 7 Original Songs |
70 % |
Based on 7 songs composed per guidelines in the syllabus. Each song has a value of 10 % (7 songs X 10% = 70%) Songs should be submitted on CD on the dates listed in the Class Schedule. The submissions should be labeled following the format on page 21 of This Business of Songwriting and must include a lyric following the format on page 23. |
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2. Research Paper |
10% |
A five- page paper of original research on 3 music publishing companies. The paper should provide a brief business summary and identify key personal and staff writers. You should identify and research companies that you would like to write for. |
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3. “Do It Now” Writing Exercises |
10% |
Two of the exercises from the book Shortcuts to Hit Songwriting will be completed for credit. Each exercise carries a value of 5% (2X5% =10%) |
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4. Final Exam |
10% |
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. |
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:
Shortcuts to Hit Songwriting: 126 Proven Techniques for Writing Songs That Sell. Robin Frederick, Taxi Music Books.
This Business of Songwriting. Jason Blume, Billboard Books.
Grade Evaluation Scale: 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 Class introduction
Mon. Jan. 19 MLK Holiday – no class
Wed. Jan. 21 listening to songs we’ve written
Mon. Jan 26 Shortcuts to Hit Songwriting - # 1 - 9 (pages XIII-22)
Complete the Ghost Song exercise on page 7 – present song in class.
Ghost Song Lyric due
Wed. Jan. 28 Shortcuts to Hit Songwriting - # 1 -20 (pages 23-40)
Complete “Do It Now” exercise on page 23 – present “Reversed Engineered” songs in class
2 Reversed Engineered Songs due – 1 hit song, 1 original following the guidelines on page 23
Choose 2 other “Do It Now” exercises and be prepared to present in class
Present songs or discuss findings in class
Mon. Feb. 2 Shortcuts # 21-35 (pages 43-74)
Complete “Do It Now” exercises and be prepared to discuss in class
Original song # 1 due using one of the song forms on pages 59-60
Incorporate what you’ve learned from these chapters in your song.
Follow song submission guidelines listed under “Testing & Assignments.”
Wed. Feb. 4 Shortcuts #36-47 (pages 77-104)
Complete the “Do It Now”excercises and be prepared to discuss in class
“Do It Now” Song Sketch exercise on page 104 due – 1. & 2.
Mon. Feb. 9 Shortcuts #48-62
Complete “Do It Now” exercises and be prepared to discuss in class
“Do It Now” Description (page 126) due
Original song # 2 due based on “Do It Now” Film/TV exercise on page 130
Wed. Feb. 11 Rory Burke – Nashville Songwriters Hall inductee
Mon. Feb. 16 Shortcuts #63-73
Complete “Do It Now Exercise and be prepared to discuss in class
Original Song # 3 due- LRYIC only – use Shortcuts 71 & 72 in preparing your lyric. Attach the worksheets utilized in the assignment to your LRYIC
Wed. Feb. 18 Shortcuts # 74-85
Original Song # 4 due – MELODY ONLY
Use the exercises in the above shortcuts to assist you. In addition to your submitted melody include a paper that explains what exercises you utilized in writing your MELODY
Mon. Feb. 23 Shortcuts #86-103
Write a bridge for an original song – present in class
Wed. Feb. 25 Shortcuts #104-113
Complete “Do It Now Exercise” on page 238 and present in class
Mon. Mar. 2 Shortcuts #114-121
Wed. Mar. 4 Song Presentations
Original Song # 5 due – cowritten with classmate
March 9 – 13 Spring Break
Mon. Mar. 16 This Business of Songwriting – Chapters 1 – 4
Wed. Mar. 18 Finding a Music Publisher
Publisher Research paper due
Mon. Mar. 23 This Business of Songwriting – Chapters 5 – 8
Wed. Mar. 25 Guest Speaker
Mon. Apr. 6 This Business of Songwriting – Chapters 9-10
Wed. Apr. 8 This Business of Songwriting – Chapters 11-15
Original Song # 6 due
Mon. Apr. 13 This Business of Songwriting – Chapters 16-20
Wed. Apr. 15 Original Song # 7 due
Song Presentations
Mon. Apr. 20 Preparing for the Pitch
Wed. Apr. 22 Guest Speaker
Wed. Apr. 27 Pitch Meetings
Mon. Apr. 29 Pitch Meetings
Mon. May 4 The Final Set