Writing Music and Lyrics by Assignments (5 cr)

Objective

The student is able to write music and lyrics independently and collaboratively, both from given assignments and on their own. The student is able to write lyrics in their mother tongue and in one foreign language. The student is able to distinguish the professional and artistic characteristics of various styles of popular music. The student is able to hear and explore their own and others' music and lyrics analytically and apply acquired knowledge to their own music.

The student is able to work actively and take the initiative in a group and offer constructive feedback on the contributions of other members of the group. The student is able to set goals for themselves and their group, and ensure that they are achieved as agreed. The student is able to communicate fluently their own music making orally, in writing and by audio recording. The student is able to complete assignments according to schedule. The student is able to make 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 from 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. A couple of lyric writing lessons also on Thursday afternoons.
Tuition starts on Thursday, 7 September, 2023.
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 exam. The required competences are primarily demonstrated with learning assignments, secondarily in a manner agreed with the teacher.

Completion alternatives

Must be agreed with the teacher individually.

Student workload

Songwriting seminars and lyrics coaching (Finnish and English) on Thursdays at 9:00 am - 12:15 pm, room AS522. A couple of lyric writing lessons also on Thursday afternoons.
Tuition starts on Thursday, 7 September, 2023.
Teacher in charge: Jere Laukkanen

Content scheduling

Songwriting seminars and lyrics coaching (Finnish and English) on Thursdays at 9:00 am - 12:15 pm, room AS522. A couple of lyric writing lessons also on Thursday afternoons.
Tuition starts on Thursday, 7 September, 2023.
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. A couple of lyric writing lessons also on Thursday afternoons.
Tuition starts on Thursday, 7 September, 2023.
Teacher in charge: Jere Laukkanen

Evaluation scale

Hyväksytty/Hylätty

Assessment criteria, approved/failed

The student is able to write music and lyrics independently and collaboratively, both from given assignments and their own projects. The student is able to write lyrics in their mother tongue and in one foreign language. The student is able to distinguish the professional and artistic characteristics of various styles of popular music. The student is able to hear and explore their own and others' music and lyrics analytically and apply acquired knowledge to their own music.

The student is able to work in a group and offer constructive feedback on the contributions of other group members. The student is able to complete the given assignments according to schedule. The student is able to communicate fluently about their own music making both orally and in writing and is able to make high-quality demo recordings of their music.

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.