Portfolio (100%)
A song portfolio comprising:
(a) a recorded demo of a minimum of 8 original songs which appropriately present your song lyrics and instrumentals,
(b) evidence of your songwriting process and
(c) on-going critical evaluation which may be presented as a written report, journal or blog.
[Learning Outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4]

Formative Assessment
Participation in workshops and discussions
Participation in collaborative performance and recording of songs

Contemporary pop music is highly dependent on songs regardless of style or genre. Instrumental pop is becoming increasingly off-trend and consequently in the minority, yet still on average there are between 1500 - 2000 albums released by record companies every year in the UK and these figures exclude independent releases. Of course there are also other platforms for songs such as radio, film, TV and other digital products like computer games. What this confirms is a need for many songs to be written on an annual basis thus creating multiple commercial opportunities for the budding songwriter. Songwriting is a great vehicle for you as a musician to be creative. It has the prospects of additional income or alternative employment within the music industry.

This module is designed to develop your skills as a songwriter, using a range of specialist techniques to combine melody and lyrics. It will explore the styles and approaches to songwriting for different purposes, whether the song is destined for use in a band, with a solo artist, in musical theatre, as a radio jingle or commercial, to name but a few. You will explore a wide variety of genres, periods and styles with a history that goes back centuries and investigate the particular requirements of writing songs within the wider discipline of composition.

You will consider the power of song as a tool to inspire and touch an audience, to tell stories, express feelings, trigger a response or simply to entertain. You will analyse quality of song itself and the way in which it is performed by artists, including yourself and others. You will discuss the undeniable long term influence of some songs, such as those of the Beatles, a band who changed the face of popular music with their personalities, charm and live performances in the 60’s and whose songs live long in the memory.

You will learn about composition and the ingredients of a song, for example flowing, memorable melody, harmony, lines and lyrics, chord progressions and accompaniment figures. Throughout the module you will experiment in the writing of songs utilising a variety of specialist practical structures, drawing on both your understanding of songwriting theory and your research into the work of others. You will a produce a portfolio of original songs (for solo and group performance), which will be performed and recorded for assessment. This in turn will develop your ability to write for yourself as a music artist as well as for others.

Learning strategies in this module will be a mix of theory and practice, through lectures and hand-on activities, and you will work individually and collaboratively with peers.
This will typically include:
• Research into songwriters and songs, with critical analysis.
• Song writing skills workshops
• Composition and lyrical development workshops
• Performance opportunities with peer analysis
• Opportunities to interact with visiting practitioners
• Performance screenings and critiques
• Individual tutorials
• Song writing reviews
Throughout this module It is expected that you engage in a significant amount of independent study and creative practice as an extension to the learning that takes place during timetabled sessions.

• Practice/rehearsal rooms
• Keyboards/pianos
• Guitars
• Amplifiers
• Music / audio Library
• Listening facilities
• Microphones and recording equipment when necessary.
• A large room will be needed for songwriter performances.
• Access to a variety of rehearsal and performance areas.
• Specialist performance and rehearsal spaces
• Recording Studio facilities
• NPA equipment
• Whiteboard
• Projector
• Computer and internet access

Blume, J. (2008) 6 Steps to Songwriting Success: Billboard
Frederick, R. (2008) Shortcuts to Hit Songwriting: 126 Proven Techniques for Writing Songs That Sell: Taxi Music Books
Friedman, D. (2015) The Songwriters Handbook: The Artists League
Rooksby R. (2010) Songwriting Sourcebook: How to Turn Chords into Great Songs (Fastforward): Backbeat Books
Zollo P. (2003) Songwriters on Songwriting: Revised and Expanded: Da Capo Press Inc

1. DEMONSTRATE AN UNDERSTANDING OF SONGWRITING PRINCIPLES AND STRUCTURES AND A DEVELOPMENT OF SKILLS IN CONSTRUCTING SONGS ACROSS A RANGE OF RECOGNISED GENRES AND PURPOSES
[Learning]

2. INVESTIGATE SONGWRITING STYLES AND APPROACHES THROUGH THE EXPLORATION OF THE WORK OF OTHERS.
[Enquiry]

3. EVALUATE THE APPROPRIATENESS OF DIFFERENT STYLES OF SONGWRITING FOR PURPOSE AND IDENTIFY SOLUTION TO THE CHALLENGES ARISING WHEN WRITING ORIGINAL SONG MATERIAL. [Problem Solving]

4. DRAW ON THE CREATIVE AND TECHNICAL EXPERTISE OF FELLOW MUSICIANS AND INDUSTRY EXPERTS WHEN WRITING, PERFORMING AND RECORDING IN ORDER TO PRESENT OWN SONGS APPROPRIATELY. [Working with Others]

5. CRITICALLY EVALUATE THE PROCESES AND PRODUCTS OF SONGWRITING IN ORDER TO INFORM THE DEVELOPMENT OF OWN PERFORMANCE
[Reflection]