MUS 402 Song Writing II Overview 160202-10

7/26/2019 MUS 402 Song Writing II Overview 160202-10

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Created: C Pickering 08/05/2015 MUS 402 Song Writing II Overview 160202-10 Page 1of 9Amended: C Pickering 20/01/2016 V1.3Approved: A Broughton 160202-10JMC Pty Limited ABN 53 003 572 012 www.jmcacademy.edu.auNSW CRICOS 01259J; VIC CRICOS 02386E; QLD CRICOS 03068M

UNIT OVERVIEW

MUS 402 Songwriting II

Bachelor of Mus ic (Perform ance/Songwri t ing )

TRIMESTER 3 (Songwriting)

TRIMESTER 5 (Performance)

6 CREDIT POINTS | 3 hours per week face to face | 5 hours per week personal study

Core text:

Musition and Auralia Cloud subscription ($49AUD for 12 month subscription). This willbe used in each Trimester of study at JMC.

Pattison, P. 2009 Writing Better Lyrics. Berklee Press, Boston. USA. Aldwell, E & Schachter, C 2010 Harmony & Voice Leading, 4thEdition. Cengage Learning,

Inc. United States. Perricone, J. 2000 Melody in Songwriting: Tools and Techniques for Writing Hit Songs.

Berklee Press, Boston, USA.

Prerequisites: MUS 302| CORE UNITUNIT COORDINATOR: Chris [email protected]

Where this unit is taught by a sessional lecturer, and you need to talk to the lecturer outside of class,you will need to make an appointment.

UNIT DESCRIPTION

In this unit, students continue to develop conceptual knowledge and technical skills in music

analysis and songwriting. This unit concentrates on songwriting techniques, with a focus on

melodic, harmonic, and rhythmic development. Students also further investigate the links

between music and text (prosody), forms and structure of the contemporary song and the

musical methodology of song composition.
http://www.jmc.net.au/http://www.jmc.net.au/http://www.jmc.net.au/http://www.jmc.net.au/


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UNIT OVERVIEWMUS 402 Song Writing II

Created: C Pickering 08/05/2015 MUS 402 Song Writing II - Unit Overview V1.3Amended: C Pickering 20/01/2016JMC Pty Limited ABN 53 003 572 012 www.jmcacademy.edu.auNSW CRICOS 01259J; VIC CRICOS 02386E; QLD CRICOS 03068M Page 2of 9

The unit builds on skills learned by Songwriting students in Songwriting I (MUS 302), and by

Music Performance Students inArranging I(MUS 209), Songwriting I (MUS 302), and

Arranging II (MUS 309), focusing on the development of musicality, songwriting ability and

professional practice. Students have the opportunity to create their own songs and write lyrics

which demonstrate an understanding of the principles of rhyme, song structure, style and

phrasing.

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES

Knowledge

On successful completion of the unit, students will have knowledge and understanding of:

a) Contemporary songwriting techniques;

b) Contemporary song analysis;

c) Melodic, harmonic, and rhythmic relationships in songwriting;d) Prosody, and lyrical and melodic relationships;

Skills

On successful completion of the unit, students will be able to:

e) Apply melody and lyrics in songwriting;

f) Have an advanced understanding of phrasing and song structure;

g) Apply non-diatonic chord progressions and modal structures;

h) Compose music to a brief or as an original concept;

i) Apply creative and original songwriting skills to apply across a variety of styles;

j) recognise key aural and written characteristics of music theory as pertaining to

songwriting.

Generic Attributes

On successful completion of the unit, students will be able to demonstrate:k) Discipline specific or professional area, knowledge and skills;

l) A commitment to lifelong learning;

m) Effective communication in a variety of contexts (negotiation).

TOPICS

The main focus areas for this unit are:

Understanding of advanced songwriting techniques;

Melodic and lyrical development;

Analysis of songwriting in contemporary music;

Structural development concepts and techniques;

Analysis of stylistic compositional techniques;

Writing in minor keys and non diatonic structures;


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Groove and melody-down writing;

Creating and developing original arrangements for original songs;

Scoring original ideas and concepts;

Writing to a brief: considering the audience;

Production techniques and studio arranging skills;

Development of a composition portfolio.

ASSESSMENT TASKS

Students must satisfactorily complete a set number of assessment tasks to meet the

requirements of each unit. To progress to the next trimester of study, you must have

completed all prerequisite units.

Assessments are due on the day of unit class except where otherwise notified by your lecturer.

Assessment submission via Moodle will be available for some assessment

events. Latesubmissionsattract a 5% deduction of marks per day up to 5 days after which

students will be awarded a fail (0%) for this assessment. Applications for extensions must be

made through the Head of Department on the Student Request/Academic form citing the

request for Assessment Extension of Time. These applications must be submitted over the

counter at Administration/Reception.

It is your responsibility to present your assignments in an academically professional manner.

This includes labelling all parts of submitted work with your name, student number and unit

name and number. The submission requirements listed in each assessment will give youfurther information on what is required for that particular assessment event.

Assessment Schedule:Submission requirements Weighting Due

Assessment 1: Song Analysis 30% Week: 6

Assessment 2: Aural/Theory Exam 30% Week: 10

Assessment 3: Song Portfolio 40% Week: 12

1.Song AnalysisOriginal SongsDue: Week 6 (Moodle)Weighting: 30%Length: 2000 wordsLearning Outcomes: a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i

Description:Write an analysis of TWO contrasting original compositions 3-4 minutes each in length usingmelodic / harmonic concepts covered in class and prepare a comprehensive song analysisreport of the works. In your report provide information on:


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A brief introduction to the piece;Basic characteristics: Key signature, time signature and genre;Structure: Introduction, verse, pre-chorus, chorus, bridge, solos, coda, etc.;

Chord progression and harmonic structures;Melodic and harmonic relationship: Phrasing, resolution, stable and unstable tones,

structural tones;Lyrical content and relationship to melody;The effectiveness of the song in conveying the writers emotional intent.

You also need to refer to key ARTISTS and WORKS that have influenced you inyour songwriting process. You will need to research and reference this in youranalysis paper.

*Remember to provide examples of notation, melodic relationships and harmonic structuresfrom your key influences.

Submissionformat

Lead sheets of your compositions prepared on Sibelius, and submitted as PDFs;A written analysis prepared as a word file formatAll work must be presented and referenced in accordance with the JMC Academy style

guide;This assessment will be submitted via Moodle;

Include an audio version of each work. This can be a demo-quality live recording or bounce outof Sibelius, ProTools or similar. Submit the recording as a link on Soundcloud, Bandcamp, orsimilar, on the cover page of your assignment. The audio version must contain a LIVE

VOCAL TRACKwith LYRICS.

Assessment Criteria

a) Understanding of contemporary writing techniquesb) Understanding Melody, Harmony, Structure and Rhythmc) Demonstrated understanding of prosody and its relation to melody, harmony and form;d) Written presentationpresent in an academically professional manner with appropriate

references.

Successful completion of this task requires that you fulfil all the pass elements in the

assessment criteria sheet (rubric) available in Moodle.

2. Aural, Sight Singing & Written ExamDue: Week 10 (In class)Weighting: 30%Learning Outcomes: b, c, j

SONGWRITING STUDENTS (T3):

DescriptionThis assessment consists of:


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A) 5 minuteSight Singing Exam consisting of:A four-bar melody with leaps in the tonic (I) and dominant (V) chord in a variety of time

signatures, major & stepwise minor (natural, harmonic and melodic) tonality, encountering a

few accidentals a Capella solo using proper solfge names and hand signs as applicable

(Kodly method).

Assessment Criteria:

Successfully sing a notated melody line;

B)30min Aural Exam consisting of: major/minor/diminished/augmented/sus2/sus4 triad recognition

Maj7, m7, Dom7, Half-Diminished, Dim7, min/maj7, Dom7(#5) Dom7sus4, Maj6, Min6

Scales: All Modes of Major Scale, Minor (Nat/harmonic/melodic), Pentatonic

(major/minor), Blues Scale.

4 bar melodic dictation 4 bar rhythmic dictation of drum beats

Transcription of a 4 bar harmonic progression in a major or minor key with extensions

(MajorImaj7, IVmaj7, V7, vi7, ii7, iii7, vii7b5);

Time signature identification.


Be able to recognise and identify triads and 7th chord extensions; Demonstrate the ability to recognise and identify chromatic intervals, distinguish majorand minor tonalities and scales; Successfully transcribe and notate melodic and harmonic dictation; Successfully identify and transcribe diatonic chord progression. Successfully identify time signatures.

C)A 45 minute WrittenExam consisting of:

Recognise and notate Major, Minor (Natural/Harmonic/Melodic), Major and Minor

Pentatonic Scales, Blues Scale, and Modes of the Major Scale;

Maj7, m7, Dom7, m7(b5), Dim7, min/maj7, Dom7(#5) Dom7sus4, Maj6, Min6

Chords;

Identification and writing of diatonic chord progressions in major and minor keys

consisting of Triads and/or 7thChords, with inversions;

Rhythmic writing and time signature identification; Transposition to any key.


Be able to recognise and notate triads and 7thchords; Be able to recognise and notate Key signatures and chord progressions; Be able to recognise and notate scales and intervals; Successfully identify rhythmic elements and time signatures

Submission Format:


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The Written/Aural Exam will be conducted using Auralia and Musition software.Acquisition of this software is compulsory for the theory component of this unit, andmust be considered as a core text.

If conducted as a formal exam, the work will be submitted on the official examination paperfor Songwriting I at the conclusion of the examination.

All relevant identification material must be completed fully, including the students full nameand student identification number.

MUSIC PERFORMANCE STUDENTS (T5):

Description: This assessment consists of a:

A) 5 minuteSight Singing Exam consisting of:

A 4 bar melody in a variety of time signatures and tonalities (major & minor with functional

accidentals - #4, #5, b7), encountering accidentals, simple modulations and some melodic

leaps within the tonic (I) dominant (V), sub-dominant (IV) and sub-mediant (vi) a Capella in

single line melodies using proper solfge names and hand signs as applicable (Kodly

method).

B) 30 minuteAural exam consisting of:

Aural Recognition of chromatic compound intervals within a range 2 octaves. Chord identification: Major 7th, Dominant 7th, minor 7th, Half-diminished 7th, Full-

diminished 7th, minor/major 7th, Dom7sus4, Maj6, Min6, Maj9, Min9, Dom9,

Dom7(b9), Dom7(#9), Maj7#11, Dom7#11;

Rhythmic and melodic dictation:

o 4 bar diatonic(major or minor with functional accidentals - #4, #5, b7)

melodic dictation, and

o 4 bar rhythmic dictation in a variety of time signatures;

Harmonic Progressions:

Identify harmonic progressions (including 7thextensions) in a variety of keys,

based in a major or minor diatonic scale with secondary dominants and key-borrowed (parallel minor key, dominant key etc.) chords (Major: i, II, bIII, III, iv,

v,bVI, VI,bVII; Minor: I, IV, V).

Time signature identification.

C) 30 minuteTheory exam consisting of:

Chords: Recognition and writing of Extended chords (9ths, 11ths, 13ths) and 7thchords with alterations, with all chords in INVERSIONS;

Recognise and write harmonic progressions (in all keys) with secondary dominants.


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Assessment Criteria Recognise chords and scales

Recognise and analyse harmonic progressions; Recognise melody/rhythm and transcribe; Recognise time signatures. Sight Sing with correct pitches and rhythms

Submission Format

The Exam may be conducted using Auralia and Musition software at the lecturersdiscretion. Please note that use of this software for personal practice and homework ishighly recommended.

All relevant identification material must be completed fully, including the students full nameand student identification number;

The examination will be passed to the examiner at the conclusion of the examination.

3. Song PortfolioDue: Week 12 (Moodle)Weighting: 40%Length: 10-12 minutes of audio, and class presentation.Learning Outcomes: a, b, c, d, e, f,g,h, i, j, k ,l ,m

Part 1: Presentation

A class presentation of 5-7min will be given in Week 11/12 of one song from your song portfolio.The presentation will describe all composition tools used to compose your song.

You may choose to play a recording or perform your work live for the class and lecturer.

Part 2: Portfolio

Complete a portfolio of THREE songs demonstrating an understanding of melodic, rhythmic,

lyrical and harmonic relationships. The songs will be graded on their use of the songwriting

and compositional techniques studied throughout the unit. Each song must include a lead

sheet. All works to be submitted as final mixed audio recordings, produced and

arranged to a standard befitting the potential of the song, with clearly audible parts and

lyrics. The folio must contain 10-12 minutes of music and a minimum of THREE

SEPARATEsongs.

Submission guidelines

Audio submissions must be submitted as links on Soundcloud, Bandcamp, or similar; All works to be submitted as lead sheets using Sibelius, and submitted in PDF form; Recordings can be MIDI or live recordings of the compositionsand MUST INCLUDE A

LIVE VOCAL PART WITH LYRICS.

A complete submission should include a cover page with all relevant information accordingto the JMC style guide, with links to the audio of the original songs. Subsequent pages inthe submission should include lead sheets for each original song.


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a) Demonstrated understanding of advanced song writing techniques, including melody,harmony, and form;

b) Demonstrate understanding of prosody and pairing of lyrics and music;c) Demonstrated understanding of advanced arranging techniques and correct preparation of

a legible, correctly formatted lead sheet;d) Presentation skillsarticulate your vision and compositional tools utilized in your

composition.

Successful completion of this task requires that you fulfil all the pass elements in the

assessment criteria sheet (rubric) available in Moodle.

References

The referencing style to be used and access to guidance on how to use it is available from the

library. JMC Academy uses the Harvard (author-date) system for referencing. For example:

Davie, M. 2008, Sneaky Sound SystemAudio Technology. Iss. 60, p. 39

Recommended reading

1. Pattison, P. 1991 Songwriting: essential guide to rhyming: a step-by-step guide to

better rhyming and lyrics. Boston, MA: Berklee Press

2. Pattison, P. 2009 Writing Better Lyrics. 2nd Edition. Writers Digest Books, Boston.

3. Perricone, J. 2000 Melody in Songwriting. Berklee Press, Boston, USA.

4. Webb, J. 1998 Tunesmith. Hyperion, New York

Web references

Australian Song Writers Association:http://www.asai.org.au/

Learning resources

This outline as well as additional unit resources are available on Moodle.

Url:http://jmcacademy.mrooms3.net/ Contact your Head of Department/lecturer for the enrolment

key for your units.

Student support information and policies and procedures are also available on Moodle. If you need

help and direction with your studies please see the Library and Student Support Officer who will

assist you and get you further help where you need it.
http://www.jmc.net.au/http://www.jmc.net.au/http://www.asai.org.au/http://www.asai.org.au/http://www.asai.org.au/http://jmcacademy.mrooms3.net/http://jmcacademy.mrooms3.net/http://www.asai.org.au/http://www.asai.org.au/http://www.jmc.net.au/http://www.jmc.net.au/


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Plagiarism

Plagiarism is where a student copies all, or a substantial part of the work of another person

whether written, printed, electronic or other media, without due acknowledgement, therebymaking it appear to be their own thoughts and ideas. Any claims made against a student

regarding plagiarism will be investigated. Where the allegations are upheld, the student will not

pass the unit.

Any claims made against a student regarding cheating will also be investigated. Where the

allegations are upheld, the student will not pass the unit and may be expelled. Please read the

Academic Misconduct policy for further details.

Special needs

Please advise the JMC Academy (prior to each semester starting) of any additional support

you may require to successfully study at JMC and speak to the Head of Department about

what the assessments demand and whether an adjustment needs to be made for you. You can

be confident that all such requests will be treated with discretion.

Where a medical condition or learning disability may impact on your learning, the classroom, or

an assessment, JMC administration may need to inform your lecturers so that appropriate

measures can be made to make your studies as trouble-free as possible.

Student rights and responsibilities

It is the responsibility of every student to be aware of all relevant legislation and policies and

procedures relating to their rights and responsibilities as a student. These include: JMC Academy s policy and statements on plagiarism and academic integrity;

Copyright principles and responsibilities;

JMC Academys policies on appropriate use of software and computer facilities.

Stakeholder improvement to this unit

Date Stakeholder Comments

11/5/2015 C Pickering / DSpirovski

New Document created; small amendments to A2 for clarity.

12/5/2015 C Pickering Added two separate Music Theory categories to A2.

28/8/2015 C Pickering/DSpirovski

Modified assessment weighting, and refined assessmentinformation and content.

16/9/2015 C Pickering Small amendment made to assessment criteria.

20/01/2016 C Pickering Added Musition/Auralia as compulsory core texts.

Documents

MUS 402 Song Writing II Overview 160202-10