Writing Songs by Assignments (5 ECTS)

Learning outcomes

The student is capable of writing music and lyrics individually and in teams both by given assignments and spontaneously. The student can write lyrics in their mother tongue and gets acquainted with lyric writing in one foreign language. The student gains facilities to operate in various genres of popular music in a professional and creative manner. The student is able to listen to and explore their own and others’ music analytically and to apply the acquired knowledge in 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 output of the other members of the group. The student is capable of setting goals for their own and the group’s activities and takes care that they are met as agreed. The student communicates about their own music-making both orally, in writing and by means of recordings. The student can make high-quality demo recordings of their music.

Content

According to the learning outcomes.

Prerequisites

Completion of the Introduction to Songwriting and Music, Lyrics and Demo Production courses or equivalent skills and knowledge.

Teaching methods

Small group tutorial
Interactive lecture
Assignments
Contact teaching
Seminar Work

Location and time

Songwriting seminars and lyrics coaching (Finnish and English) on Thursdays at 9:00 am - 12:15 pm, room 245 (Arabiankatu 2)
Tuition starts on Thursday, 3 September, 2020.
Teacher in charge: Jere Laukkanen, jere.laukkanen@metropolia.fi, p. 050 401 3465

Learning materials and recommended literature

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.

Alternative completion methods of implementation

Must be agreed with the teacher separately.

Exam dates and retake possibilities

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

Student workload

Songwriting seminars and lyrics coaching (Finnish and English) on Thursdays at 9:00 am - 12:15 pm, room 245 (Arabiankatu 2)
Tuition starts on Thursday, 3 September, 2020.
Teacher in charge: Jere Laukkanen, jere.laukkanen@metropolia.fi, p. 050 401 3465

Further information for students

Songwriting seminars and lyrics coaching (Finnish and English) on Thursdays at 9:00 am - 12:15 pm, room 245 (Arabiankatu 2)
Tuition starts on Thursday, 3 September, 2020.
Teacher in charge: Jere Laukkanen, jere.laukkanen@metropolia.fi, p. 050 401 3465

Assessment methods and criteria

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

Evaluation scale

Hyväksytty/Hylätty

Assessment criteria, approved/failed

- Attending tuition
- Completing and submitting the given exercises and assignments according to the agreed schedule
- Writing and presenting at least four new tunes and lyrics and making demo recordings out of these (at least one of these has to be written in a team)
- Presenting at least one own work or project (can be made individually or by team work) in the joint seminar of Music Writing and Production.