Music Writing, Markets and Future Trends (5 ECTS)

Learning outcomes

The student writes music and lyrics individually and in teams both by given assignments and spontaneously. The student operates in various genres of popular music in a professional and creative manner. The student listens to and explores their own and others’ music and professional writings analytically and applies the acquired knowledge in their own music making. The student perceives various musical trends, understands workings of the music industry and can apply the findings in their own artistic and professional activities and career planning. The student works in groups actively and with initiative and can discuss and give constructive feedback on the output of the other members of the group. The student sets goals for their own and the group’s activities and takes care that they are met as agreed. The student communicates fluently about their own music-making both orally, in writing and by means of recordings. The student makes high-quality demo recordings of their music.

Content

According to the learning outcomes.

Prerequisites

Completion of the Writing Music by Assignments course or equivalent skills and knowledge.

Teaching methods

Small group tutorial
Interactive lecture
Assignments
Contact teaching

Location and time

Teaching schedule:
- Intensive Co-Writing week from Monday 30 August to Thursday 2 September, the student must reserve all working hours for the class on these days
- Group lessons on Wednesdays at 9.00–12.15, classroom AS411 every other week starting from 15 Sep. (TBC)
- Songwriting/Composition or Production seminar on Wednesdays at 13.00-14.30, location AS522 / Klubi / studio
Teacher: Jere Laukkanen

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.

Student workload

Teaching schedule:
- Intensive Co-Writing week from Monday 30 August to Thursday 2 September, the student must reserve all working hours for the class on these days
- Group lessons on Wednesdays at 9.00–12.15, classroom AS411 every other week starting from 15 Sep. (TBC)
- Songwriting/Composition or Production seminar on Wednesdays at 13.00-14.30, location AS522 / Klubi / studio
Teacher: Jere Laukkanen

Further information for students

Teaching schedule:
- Intensive Co-Writing week from Monday 30 August to Thursday 2 September, the student must reserve all working hours for the class on these days
- Group lessons on Wednesdays at 9.00–12.15, classroom AS411 every other week starting from 15 Sep. (TBC)
- Songwriting/Composition or Production seminar on Wednesdays at 13.00-14.30, location AS522 / Klubi / studio
Teacher: Jere Laukkanen

Assessment methods and criteria

Continuous assessment
Peer evaluation
Attendance
Learning assignment
(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, recording and presenting at least four new tunes and lyrics (at least one of these has to be written in a team)
- Rehearsing at least one own song with a band self-directedly
- Performing in a Showcase concert.