MUSPOP 1001 - Song Writing A
North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2022
-
General Course Information
Course Details
Course Code MUSPOP 1001 Course Song Writing A Coordinating Unit Elder Conservatorium of Music Term Semester 1 Level Undergraduate Location/s North Terrace Campus Units 3 Contact Up to 3 hours per week Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y Incompatible MUSPMACT 1201 Assumed Knowledge Basic music literacy, including basic competency on an instrument and/or music technology to enable the completion of creative work Restrictions Available to BMus, BCtveArts, DipMus students only Assessment Online journal (20%), Exam (20%), Creative portfolio (60%) Course Staff
Course Coordinator: Associate Professor Luke Harrald
Course Timetable
The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from .
-
Learning Outcomes
Course Learning Outcomes
Through completion of this course, students will develop:
1 an understand basic composition and music production principles used by professional songwriters;
2 their own compositional “voice” at a basic level;
3 a cogent and quality portfolio of songs in a recorded and notated format; &
4 skills in self-reflection, collaboration and interpreting the compositions of others.University Graduate Attributes
This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:
University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s) Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth
Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.
1, 4 Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving
Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.
2, 3, 4 Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills
Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.
4 Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness
Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.
1, 2, 4 Attribute 7: Digital capabilities
Graduates are well prepared for living, learning and working in a digital society.
3 Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence
Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.
2, 4 -
Learning Resources
Required Resources
• Class handouts and materials placed on MyUni.
• Each week students will be required to bring their instruments, or other technology they require to realise their group work.Recommended Resources
Reading
Bailey, D. (1980) Musical Improvisation: its nature and practice in music. Prentice Hall, New Jersey.
Beall, Eric (2009) The Billboard Guide to Writing and Producing Songs that Sell. Billboard Books: Crown Publishing Group, New York.
Bergonzi, J. (1992) Vol. 1 Melodic Structures. Advance Music, Rottenburg.
Blume, Jason (1999) Six Steps to Songwriting Success. Billboard Books: Crown Publishing Group, New York.
Braheny, John (2006) The Craft and Business of Songwriting. Writer’s Digest Books, F+W Publications, Cincinnati.
Cardew, C. ed. (1974) Scratch Music. MIT Press, Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Chase, Wayne. (2006) How Music Really Works. Roedy Black Publishing, Vancouver.
Covach, John (2009) What’s that sound: an introduction to rock music and its history. Second edition. W.W. Norton & Company, New York.
Crook, H. (2002) How to Improvise. Advance Music, Rottenburg.
Kachulis, Jimmy (2005) The Songwriters Workshop: Harmony. Berklee Press, Boston.
Perricone, Jack (2000) Melody in Songwriting: Tools and techniques for Writing Hit Songs. Berklee Press, Boston.
Webb, Jimmy (1998) Tunesmith – inside the art of songwriting. Hyperion, New York.
Wood, Clement (1936) The Complete Rhyming Dictionary and Poet’s Craft Book. Dell Publishing, New York.
Websites
Gary Ewers – The essential secrets of songwriting http://secretsofsongwriting.com/index.html
Rhymer – a free online rhyming dictionary http://www.rhymer.com
Library
The Music Library located in the Hartley building is an excellent source for music, literature and recordings: http://www.adelaide.edu.au/library/branch/eml/
Music Resources Guide
The Music Resources Guide contains quick links to key music databases for scholarly research and online listening. It also contains links to websites of publicly available online scores, collected editions, and professional associations. Here too you can find a regularly updated list of new books, scores, CDs and DVDs available in the Elder Music Library: http://libguides.adelaide.edu.au/musicOnline Learning
Learning materials and assessment will be placed on MyUni. Usage of MyUni will include Announcements, Digital readings, External web-links and Recordings of classes; particularly student performances to enable students to critically reflect on their experiences in class. -
Learning & Teaching Activities
Learning & Teaching Modes
The course structure and content is delivered through a range of classes and materials. Class delivery modes include a weekly seminar and practical workshop. The classes in this course use a format where students are presented with theoretical and/ or practical content through the seminar. The theoretical content creates a topic framework that students then expand theoretically through discussions and exercises during the seminar, and practically through performing their work in the workshop. Students will also be expected to further expand the topics presented using out-of-class resources that are presented online, and rehearsing in their own time. The online resources will compliment, reinforce and extend the concepts presented.
The classes provide theoretical explanations of composition and song writing techniques; discussion of their creative and technical application in various styles and genres; and their practical application to creativity through students preparing their work for performance.Workload
The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.
WORKLOAD TOTAL HOURS
1 x 2-hour seminars per week 24 hours per semester
1 x 2-hour workshop per week 24 hours per semester
6 hours rehearsals & readings per week 72 hours per semester
1 hours research per week 12 hours per semester
2 hours assignment preparation per week 24 hours per semester
TOTAL = 156 HOURS PER SEMESTERLearning Activities Summary
The course structure and content will examine the areas below through weekly theoretical and/or practical demonstrations and exploration. The following list of topics is supplied as a guide, and may change depending on needs arising through the semester. Further detail regarding weekly content can be found on MyUni.
WEEK SEMINAR TOPICS / WORKSHOP TOPICS
1 Introduction to song writing & the creative process / Improvisation Class 1
2 Song Forms / Improvisation Class 2
3 Lyric Writing – Rhyme & Rhyming Structures / Improvisation Class 3
4 Melodic Writing – Phrasing, Melodic Motion and Contour, Hooks / Improvisation Class 4
5 Creative Portfolio creation and considerations for writing to briefs / Improvisation Class 5
6 Harmony – Common Chord Progressions & Writing in a Key Area / Improvisation Assessment
7 Rhythm – Subdivisions in relation to musical styles / Ensemble Rehearsal 1
8 Arranging – introduction to arranging for small ensembles / Ensemble Rehearsal 2
9 Lyric Writing – Metaphors, Similes and Symbolism / Ensemble Rehearsal 3
10 Harmony - Minor Keys, Chord Colours, Secondary Dominants / Ensemble Rehearsal 4
11 Structured Activity - Students work on song writing portfolios / Ensemble Rehearsal 5
12 Structured Activity - Students work on song writing portfolios / Ensemble Rehearsal 6Specific Course Requirements
Except where otherwise indicated by the lecturer, tutor or workshop instructor – mobile phones, laptops, PDAs, recording devices and other similar technology must be switched off before lessons or classes begin, and kept off for the duration. -
Assessment
The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:
- Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
- Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
- Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
- Assessment must maintain academic standards.
Assessment Summary
ASSESSMENT TASK TASK TYPE WEIGHTING COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES Online Journal Formative and Summative 20% 1, 2, 3, 4 Exam Formative and Summative 20% 1 Creative Portfolio Summative 60% 1, 2, 3, 4
Assessment Related Requirements
As per Conservatorium policy, active and positive participation in 100% of classes is expected, any student who attends less than 80% of required classes without approved leave may result in a 5 (five) mark penalty for each unapproved absence. The penalties will be applied to the final total percentage mark for the semester for the relevant component i.e. after all other assessments have been completed and calculated. Arrival after the scheduled starting time or departure before the scheduled finishing time may, at the lecturer or Co-ordinator’s discretion, be regarded as an unapproved absence.
Leave
The Conservatorium recognises that extenuating circumstances may occasionally affect a student’s ability to participate in a rehearsal, workshop, class, lecture, tutorial or performance. In such cases leave maybe approved by the course coordinator.Assessment Detail
Online Journal (20%)
Students will complete a weekly journal reflecting on their experiences applying the techniques presented in class to their songwriting, composing and performing. The journal will include a critical reflection on students’ song writing, composing and or improvisation of approximately 100 – 150 words per week, which is informed by readings from the reading list and musical examples listened to in classes. A log of rehearsals will be also be required as part of this assessment. The Journal gives context to each student’s creative practice and will be compiled online via a Wordpress blog.
Exam (20%)
The exam will cover the theoretical aspects of the course presented thoughout the semester. The exam will be online, & up to 120 minutes in duration.
Creative Portfolio (60%)
The Portfolio represents the major practical assessment for the semester and will involve the creation of a minimum of two songs, one of which will be a set work; ie. students will be required to write to a brief. All creative works will be required to be recorded for submission, either in groups, or individually depending on the style of the songs.Submission
All written and recorded materials will be submitted online via MyUni.Course Grading
Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:
M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme) Grade Mark Description FNS Fail No Submission F 1-49 Fail P 50-64 Pass C 65-74 Credit D 75-84 Distinction HD 85-100 High Distinction CN Continuing NFE No Formal Examination RP Result Pending Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.
Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.
Final results for this course will be made available through .
-
Student Feedback
The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.
SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.
-
Student Support
- Academic Integrity for Students
- Academic Support with Maths
- Academic Support with writing and study skills
- Careers Services
- Library Services for Students
- LinkedIn Learning
- Student Life Counselling Support - Personal counselling for issues affecting study
- Students with a Disability - Alternative academic arrangements
-
Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
- Academic Credit Arrangements Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progress by Coursework Students Policy
- Assessment for Coursework Programs Policy
- Copyright Compliance Policy
- Coursework Academic Programs Policy
- Intellectual Property Policy
- IT Acceptable Use and Security Policy
- Modified Arrangements for Coursework Assessment Policy
- Reasonable Adjustments to Learning, Teaching & Assessment for Students with a Disability Policy
- Student Experience of Learning and Teaching Policy
- Student Grievance Resolution Process
-
Fraud Awareness
Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student鈥檚 disciplinary procedures.
The 成人大片 is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The 成人大片 therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.
