MUSI3103 Song Writing
This module will improve song writing techniques. The focus will primarily be on twentieth century musical / jazz / pop / rock songs but will be supported by songs from other musical cultures including western art music and folk music.
Co-ordinator: Dr Andy Fisher
Module Details
Title: Song Writing
Code: MUSI3103
Year: 3
Semester: 1
CATS points: 15 ECTS points: 7.5
Level: Undergraduate
Pre-requisites and / or co-requisites
A minimum mark of 60 in both MUSI 1007 and MUSI 1008.
There is a combined quota of 25 places across years 2 and 3, which will be allocated to the students with the highest marks in MUSI 1007 and MUSI 1008.
To develop techniques of short-form tonal composition in song forms; to teach principles of construction, melody bass and accompaniment and to teach techniques and principles of text setting and lyric writing. These will enable students to try out these issues in songs to be written and performed by their jazz/pop ensembles.
Content of the module will run roughly as follows:
Weeks 1-2: Song construction: Common-practise and unusual constructions
Weeks 3-4: Harmony: Harmonising a melody in a piano/vocal score: extended Tonality
Weeks 5-6: Accompaniments and bass: ostinati / ‘groove’ / musical particularity
Weeks 7-8: Melody writing and text setting: melodic contours, prosody, metre and Scansion
Weeks 9-10: Lyric Writing: Concept / ‘hook’ / development / repetition / rhyme
Weeks 11-12: Arrangement for small groups: jazz / pop / rock / orchestral additions
Study time allocation
Contact hours: 20
Private study hours: 80
Total study time:
100
hours
Teaching and learning methods
Fortnightly lectures alternating with fortnightly tutorials: initially these tutorials will be in small groups, but will become individual ones as the course progresses.
Resources and reading list
Suggested Composers / Lyricists:
Stephen Sondheim, Rodgers/Hart, J S Bach, Sting, Duke Ellington, Purcell, Gershwin / Gershwin, Lennon / McCartney, Monteverdi, Cole Porter, Rodgers / Hammerstein II, Radiohead, Billy Strayhorn, Handel, Wagner, Walter Afanassieff, Mozart, Spin Doctors
Books:
Webb, J. Tunesmith (Hyperion Press)
Davis, S. Successful Lyric Writing
The Penguin Rhyming Dictionary
The Oxford English Thesaurus
Assessment methods
Five fortnightly exercises each worth 15% of final mark (totalling 75%) and one final project worth 25% of final mark.