Opinto-opas

Objective

The student knows how to write music and lyrics independently and in small groups, both as given assignments and independently. The student is able to write lyrics in their mother tongue and in one foreign language. The student can specify professional and artistic characteristics of different popular music styles. The student knows how to listen to and explore their own music and that of others, analyse it and apply the acquired knowledge to their own music making. The student knows how to work in a group actively and with initiative, and can discuss and give constructive feedback on the contributions of other group members. The student is capable of setting goals for themselves and their group, and making sure that the goals are met as agreed. The student fluently communicates their own music making orally, in writing, and by means of recordings. The student is capable of making high-quality demo recordings of their music.

Content

Seminar work and completing set assignments both independently and in groups. Formal structures, melody, harmony, and rhythm in Western popular music. Songwriting methods. Creative writing and lyric writing. Writing music and lyrics both independently and as assignments. Preparing demo recordings of one’s own music.

Location and time

Songwriting seminars and lyrics coaching (Finnish and English) on Thursdays at 9:00 am - 12:15 pm, room AS522.
Tuition starts on Thursday, 9 September, 2021.
Teacher in charge: Jere Laukkanen

Materials

Supportive reading:
Blume, Jason. 2004. 6 Steps to Songwriting Success. The Comprehensive Guide to Writing and Marketing Hit Songs. New York: Billboard Books.
Citron, Stephen. 1985. Songwriting. A Complete Guide to the Craft. New York: Limelight Editions.
Davis, Sheila. 1985. The Craft of Lyric Writing. Cincinnati: Writer's Digest Books.
Pattison, Pat. 2009. Writing Better Lyrics. The Essential Guide to Powerful Songwriting. 2nd ed. Cincinnati: Writer’s Digest Books.
Perricone, Jack. 2000. Melody in Songwriting. Boston: Berklee Press.
Salo, Heikki. 2006. Kahlekuningaslaji. Laululyriikan käsikirja. Helsinki: Like.
Seabrook, John. 2015. The Song Machine. Inside the Hit Factory. New York: W. W. Norton & Co.
Webb, Jimmy. 1998. Tunesmith. Inside the Art of Songwriting. New York: Hyperion.
Zollo, Paul. 2003. Songwriters on Songwriting. Expanded 4th ed. Cambridge, USA: Da Capo Press.

Teaching methods

Small group tutorial
Interactive lecture
Assignments
Contact teaching
Seminar Work

Exam schedules

No written exam, complementary or other means of accomplishment must be agreed with the teacher.

Completion alternatives

Must be agreed with the teacher separately.

Student workload

Songwriting seminars and lyrics coaching (Finnish and English) on Thursdays at 9:00 am - 12:15 pm, room AS522.
Tuition starts on Thursday, 9 September, 2021.
Teacher in charge: Jere Laukkanen

Further information

Songwriting seminars and lyrics coaching (Finnish and English) on Thursdays at 9:00 am - 12:15 pm, room AS522.
Tuition starts on Thursday, 9 September, 2021.
Teacher in charge: Jere Laukkanen

Evaluation scale

Hyväksytty/Hylätty

Assessment criteria, approved/failed

The student is able to follow agreed schedules and submit their assignments on time. The student can work as an active member of the group and give constructive feedback on the contributions of the other group members. The student presents and argues their own contribution to the group as agreed and is able to receive feedback and reflect on their own performance.

Assessment methods and criteria

Continuous assessment
Peer evaluation
Attendance
Learning assignments
(total 100%)

Qualifications

The student is capable of writing music and lyrics both independently and in small groups. The student has a command of various methods of music and lyric writing and is capable of applying them to their own song writing. The student knows how to listen to and analyse pieces of music and apply the acquired knowledge to their own music making. The student can define the impact of arrangement and orchestration to the musical expression. The student is able to operate a digital audio workstation at a basic level and to make demo recordings of their own music.