Throughout this course, students will experience various techniques to write songs in various genres. Students will gain knowledge of structure and form in popular music, lyric writing, simple chord progressions, music technology, and different markets in the songwriting industry. Students will have the opportunity to use Mixcraft software to create backup tracks and gain skills in sampling and layering. The music lab also gives students the opportunity to use composition software using notation, “beat” creating software, and electronic pianos. Students who choose to can write songs using instruments that they already play, however no prior musical training is required.