MUSC 246

I. Course Title: Songwriting 2: Advanced Songwriting

II. Course Number: MUSC 246

III. Credit Hours: 3 credits

IV. Prerequisites: MUSC 146

V. Course Description: 

An advanced study of song forms, melodies, harmonies, and lyrics and their application to pop, rock, hip-hop, country and other trends in commercial music, as well as composition of songs in commercial music styles.

Note(s): Humanistic or Artistic Expression designated course.

VI. Detailed Description of Content of the Course:

This course builds on Songwriting 1 and offers students an opportunity to further explore commercial music and the craft of composition of popular songs. Students will gain an historical overview of the development of popular songs as well as study current song craft and musical characteristics.

1. Craft of Songwriting

• a. Simile, Metaphor and Personification b. Advanced Melody Writing
• c. Advanced Harmony Writing
• d. Advanced Lyric Writing
• e. Writing Emotional Lyrics
• f. Word Play
• g. Prosody

2. Skills and Techniques

• a. Avoiding and Overcoming Writers’ Block b. Advanced Co-writing Techniques
• c. Writing Fresh and Original Lyrics
• d. Topline Songwriting
• g. Track Writing

3. Creative Writing

• a. Object Writing
• b. Personification Writing
• c. Word Painting and Visual Writing

4. Songwriting and Song Composition

• a. Writing for Film and Television
• b. “Topline” Songwriting
• c. Free Writing
• d. Cowriting and Collaboration

5. Additional Topics

• a. Research and Analysis of a Hit Songwriter’s body of work
• b. The Science of Emotional Writing
• c. Songwriting and Music Therapy
• d. Song Contests
• e. Navigating a Living as a Songwriter
• f. Technology and Streaming Concerns

VI. Detailed Description of Conduct of Course:

The course will make use of interactive lectures, readings, music listening and analysis, student projects and presentations, and exams. Class projects will provide students with the chance to gain hands-on experience. The student will examine, analyze and compose commercial songs through application of course concepts.

VII. Goals and Objectives of the Course:

The goal of this course is for the student to gain an advanced detailed and comprehensive understanding of commercial songs and commercial songwriting techniques.

Learning Outcomes

1. An advanced understanding and working knowledge of songwriting techniques and theories as applied to commercial music and songs (1, 2, and 5).
2. A demonstrated advanced knowledge of the ability to apply relevant commercial songwriting theories and techniques to create commercially viable songs (3 and 4).

• Learning Outcome 1 will be fulfilled with Course Learning Description and Outcomes 1, 2 and 5
• Learning Outcome 2 will be fulfilled with Course Learning Description and Outcome 3 and 4

VIII. Assessment Measures:

Students will be assessed via their regular attendance, class participation, weekly assignments, exams, and writing exercises and projects. Students will be required to demonstrate their understanding of course concepts through exams and completion of class projects. Projects will present realistic assignments and situations presented to professional songwriters and will require students to demonstrate creative thought and compositional writing ability.

Review and Approval

March 01, 2021