Digital @ The Arts Unit

Songwriting

#CAPAexplosion

Have you got a spark inside you waiting to ignite? Here's your chance to make your mark, and let us know who you are! Put your mind to it, there ‘aint nothing you can't do. We can't wait to hear the song that comes out of you!

As part of #CAPAexplosion, we’re calling on all student songwriters to put their own spin on Supernova.

You can create lyrics only or you may choose to put it to music. There are no rules! It is all up to you.

What you’ve got to do:

You can download the backing track or the individual stems to the song to create something out of this world! If you need some help with songwriting, try using the tips below.

That’s it! There’s no rules, you can sing, rap, add your own beats, or record your own instruments - you can make it any genre or style you like - be as creative as you like.

Share the lyrics with us by emailing them to creativeclasses@det.nsw.edu.au. If you have recorded it, export your song as an MP3 and email along with the lyrics to creativeclasses@det.nsw.edu.au.

Here is a special message from some of the original songwriters to get you started.

Supernova - message from the songwriters

Duration: 04:03

Before you start

Watch the video 'Writing 'Supernova' - 2015 Schools Spectacular' to explore how the students worked together to write the song.

Writing 'Supernova' - 2015 Schools Spectacular

Duration: 01:50

Watch the #EducationLive video as Gina Jeffreys and Max Jackson go through the process of writing a song.

#EducationLive with singer-songwriters Gina Jeffreys and Max Jackson

Duration: 23:56

Demo tracks

In the process of creating a song, songwriters will often produce ‘demo’ tracks. These can be used to collaborate further with other writers or get producers or record labels interested in releasing the song to a wider audience. They can even be used to get a big-name artist interested in recording the song.

Who knows, maybe your demo will get picked up and recorded by Delta Goodrem, or Justin Bieber, or the next massive artist to hit the music scene!

Have a listen to these 2 demo tracks for Supernova and see if you can identify what changed between each of these tracks, created in June and September 2015, and the final song, which was recorded and produced at Sony Music in Sydney in October 2015.

Songwriting tips

  • Step 1 - Idea or inspiration - aim to create a general feel, attitude or vibe.

  • Step 2 - Title - This should match the feel, attitude or vibe from Step 1 and can help focus your songwriting.

  • Step 3 - 3 Chord progression - explore and experiment with chord progressions on your instrument, create a string of chords that reflect the mood or feel of your song. This is a chord progression. Now create 2 more chord progressions.

  • Step 4a - Vocal melodies - play each chord progression while you sing over the top using random words or scat to develop your vocal melody. These words can be used until your final lyrics are written.

  • Step 4b - Lyrics - simplify your lyric ideas. Keep linking your lyrics back to the inspiration or idea.

  • Step 5a - Arrangement - play chords in a group or try recording with synths, strings, drums or other instruments. Select the most suitable chord progression and melody for each section of the song.

  • Step 5b - Clean up - rearrange your song, you can try to match the structure of an existing song.

  • Step 6a - Refine vocal melody - check that the melody captures the spirit of the lyrics. This should relate back to the attitude and vibe.

  • Step 6b - Match melody to idea - refine your lyric ideas. Does anything need to change? Keep linking your lyrics back to the inspiration or idea.

  • Step 7 - Structure (bridge/solo) - take the song so far and play around with it on your instrument/s, play the song over and over to refine.

  • Step 8 - Refine solo - use the chorus chords for the solo section and put this before the last chorus.

  • Step 9 - Bridge lyrics - the bridge may be a change of direction (both musically and lyrically) that leads back into the chorus or a solo section.

  • Step 10 - Tighten - rehearse the song live - record the track.

  • Step 11 - Hook? - what will people be singing or whistling after they hear your song? Play all your chord progressions and improvise high climactic vocal parts. Add this new section after the choruses

  • Step 12 - Chill - allow the song to rest in the subconscious for a long time (or overnight), then listen and analyse - revise if needed.

  • Step 13 - Send it to wolves - play the song to friends, family, and musicians. Can their feedback be used?

You might also like to challenge yourself with these 2 fantastic Creative Classes:

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