Module Descriptors
SONG AND LYRIC WRITING
MUSI60638
Key Facts
Digital, Technology, Innovation and Business
Level 6
20 credits
Contact
Leader: Douglas Rouxel
Email: D.Rouxel@staffs.ac.uk
Hours of Study
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities: 48
Independent Study Hours: 152
Total Learning Hours: 200
Pattern of Delivery
- Occurrence A, Stoke Campus, UG Semester 1 to UG Semester 2
Sites
- Stoke Campus
Assessment
- PRACTICAL - CREATIVE COMPOSTITION 8 MINUTES weighted at 60%
- PRACTICAL - REFLECTIVE PRESENTATION 15 MINUTES weighted at 40%
Module Details
INDICATIVE CONTENT
Song and lyric construction – structures, transitions and development of ideas.
Collaborative practice, melody writing, arrangement and development.
Exploration of a variety of styles of music, and the attendant approaches to musical and lyrical construction.
Collaborative practice, melody writing, arrangement and development.
Exploration of a variety of styles of music, and the attendant approaches to musical and lyrical construction.
ADDITIONAL ASSESSMENT DETAILS
Creative Composition – 6 minutes in total of original compositions in a popular music style (excluding lengthy lead in/outs popular in some styles) at least part of which should include original lyric writing. (LOs 1,2 and 3)
Reflective Presentation – detailing the compositional process, the areas of success and in need of improvement and strategies for generalising avoiding problems and capitalising on successes in future composition. (LOs1,2, and 4)
Reflective Presentation – detailing the compositional process, the areas of success and in need of improvement and strategies for generalising avoiding problems and capitalising on successes in future composition. (LOs1,2, and 4)
LEARNING STRATEGIES
A mixture of lectures, seminars workshops and practical sessions to help develop songwriting skills.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
1. Demonstrate an in depth understanding of knowledge of contemporary music composition techniques relating to popular music styles. Knowledge and Understanding
2. Demonstrate an in depth understanding of knowledge of contemporary lyric writing techniques as they relate to popular music styles. Knowledge and Understanding
3. Develop a variety of specialist skills relating to music composition, performance and lyric writing. Application
4. Reflect critically on the success of compositional processes using relevant theoretical and technical language and concepts. Reflection
2. Demonstrate an in depth understanding of knowledge of contemporary lyric writing techniques as they relate to popular music styles. Knowledge and Understanding
3. Develop a variety of specialist skills relating to music composition, performance and lyric writing. Application
4. Reflect critically on the success of compositional processes using relevant theoretical and technical language and concepts. Reflection
RESOURCES
Music labs, recording studios, equipment from stores.
REFERENCE TEXTS
Belkin, A. (2018) Musical Composition: Craft and Art. Yale University Press.
Moylan, W. (2020) Recording Analysis: How the Record Shapes the Song. 1st edn. Focal Press.
Pattison, P (2012) Songwriting Without Boundaries. Cincinnati: Writer’s Digest
Pattison, P (2009) Writing Better Lyrics. Cincinnati: Writer’s Digest
Webb, J (1998) Tunesmith: inside the art of songwriting New York: Hyperion
Zollo (1997). Songwriters on Songwriting. London: De Capo
Moylan, W. (2020) Recording Analysis: How the Record Shapes the Song. 1st edn. Focal Press.
Pattison, P (2012) Songwriting Without Boundaries. Cincinnati: Writer’s Digest
Pattison, P (2009) Writing Better Lyrics. Cincinnati: Writer’s Digest
Webb, J (1998) Tunesmith: inside the art of songwriting New York: Hyperion
Zollo (1997). Songwriters on Songwriting. London: De Capo
WEB DESCRIPTOR
Writing and creating music is a major part of any music course, and this module aims to give a practice focused overview of the different approaches taken to writing music. Across the course of the module you will hone your skills writing popular music. Your work in this module will focus on the practical skills you need to create interesting and innovative music, and put them to the test.