Module: CMU4000-20 Songwriting

Level: 4

Credit Value: 20

Module Tutor: Julianne Regan

Module Tutor Contact Details: j.regan@bathspa.ac.uk

1. Brief description and aims of module:

This module seeks to demystify the songwriting process, empowering students who are new to writing original material, while allowing experienced songwriters to challenge their existing knowledge and expand their abilities. Students will reflect upon their own work in a frame of reference that includes the work of songwriters of varying genres and periods of musical history.

In order to fulfil the aims of the module, students will

Learn how to analyse songwriting technique in order to inform their own works, while gaining an appreciation of the developmental history of songwriting

Learn how to give and receive peer critique

Negotiate and develop personal creative practices, cultivating a diverse set of original lyric resources and harmonic constructions through the exploration and application of a broad range of songwriting techniques.

2. Outline syllabus:

Analysis of songwriting technique / History of Songwriting - Artists considered will range from the traditional canon of popular music to emerging songwriters, with students encouraged to suggest nascent songwriting artists for consideration also. Students will be given an overview of the history of songwriting in popular music, from the Brill Building and Tin Pan Alley to the present day, focusing on pivotal developments and seminal moments.

Learn how to give and receive peer critique – An extension of the above song analysis activity, successful critique is the examination of creative work against previously agreed criteria, and can be an invaluable process and tool for songwriters.

Negotiate and develop personal creative practices, cultivating a diverse set of original lyric resources and harmonic constructions through the exploration and application of a broad range of songwriting techniques - This will be considered from both within and outside of the wider context of traditional songwriting. More than offering a single prescribed process, the module will be based upon a range of alternate songwriting processes which encourage students to work with various methods and concepts, including for example, traditional song form, cut-up techniques, stream of consciousness, improvisation etc. This will result in a good command of imagery, metaphor and narrative, as well as that of harmonic complexity and melodic topline.

3. Teaching and learning activities:

Weekly workshops, lectures, seminars and tasks.

Analysis of songwriting technique will be undertaken and delivered via the deconstruction of the recorded material of commercially successful and / or critically acclaimed artists. This will include listening tasks, written tasks and discussion. An overview of the history of songwriting will take the form of lectures and discussion.

Learn how to give and receive peer critique – Students will be instructed in the art of constructive criticism, and in how to deliver it both verbally and spontaneously - in class - and in a more considered, written format as homework tasks. As critique is a conversation and not a one-way communication, the process allows consideration and discussion will take place naturally in the class environment.

The negotiation and development of personal creative practices, both within and outside of the wider context of traditional songwriting pedagogy, will occur in class-based workshops, and formative tasks undertaken both in class and during private study time. Students will incorporate the results of these tasks into songs to be performed or played in a supportive workshop environment of peer and tutor critique. Similarly, the cultivation of a diverse set of original lyric resources and harmonic constructions will be achieved via a series of lectures, workshops and homework tasks.

Assessment Item 1:

• Assessment Type: CW

• Description: Portfolio (Songs)

• % Weighting: 80%

Assessment Item 2:

• Assessment Type: CW

• Description: Portfolio (800 words)

• % Weighting: 20%