Fundamentals of Songwriting (5 ECTS)

Learning outcomes

3 cr. ECTS: The student has an understanding of the prerequisites for the success of the creative process. The student is able to write popular songs with basic harmonies. The student knows how to use music writing methods and can creatively acknowledge the influence of lyrics on the overall performance. The student is able to work in an goal-directed and constructive manner as a member of a group. The student is able to prepare a demo recording of their music and can communicate their musical visions orally, in writing, and by means of recordings.
5 cr. ECTS: In addition to the above: The student gets acquainted with the history of writing
popular music and is able to perceive their own goals as a music writer in relation to it. The student is able to create independently a complete piece of music with melody, basic harmony and rhythm, and lyrics, and is able to prepare a stylistically appropriate demo recording of it including all other necessary documentation.

Content

Seminar work and completing set assignments both independently and in teams. Musical form,
melody, harmony, and rhythm in Western popular music. Techniques and exercises in music and
lyric writing. Information on professional life and copyright. Music writing as a profession.

Prerequisites

Degree according to the extended syllabus level of basic education in music or equivalent skills
and knowledge.

Teaching methods

E-learning in large and small groups, independent individual and small team work. Accomplishing the given tasks and presenting them to the group. Platforms to be used: Moodle, Zoom, and other appropriate learning, music-making and communication applications.

Location and time

The tuition starts on 2 February, 2022 at 16:00–19:00 EET (15:00–18:00 CET) with a plenary session online on Zoom platform. There will be two more plenary sessions online during the course, one in March and one in May. Online reception hours for individual or small-group guidance will be organized on a weekly basis. All online sessions will take place on Zoom platform. All learning materials can be accessed on a dedicated Moodle workspace.
The course will last until the latter half of May, 2022.

Learning materials and recommended literature

Will be announced at the beginning of the course.

Student workload

The tuition starts on 2 February, 2022 at 16:00–19:00 EET (15:00–18:00 CET) with a plenary session online on Zoom platform. There will be two more plenary sessions online during the course, one in March and one in May. Online reception hours for individual or small-group guidance will be organized on a weekly basis. All online sessions will take place on Zoom.us platform. All learning materials can be accessed on a dedicated Moodle workspace.
The course will last until the latter half of May, 2022.

Content scheduling

The tuition starts on 2 February, 2022 at 16:00–19:00 EET (15:00–18:00 CET) with a plenary session online on Zoom platform. There will be two more plenary sessions online during the course, one in March and one in May. Online reception hours for individual or small-group guidance will be organized on a weekly basis. All online sessions will take place on Zoom.us platform. All learning materials can be accessed on a dedicated Moodle workspace.
The course will last until the latter half of May, 2022.

Further information for students

Prerequisites:
Degree according to the extended syllabus level of basic education in music or equivalent skills and knowledge.

Course is open for Dig.Music Partner Institution students and Campus Online & Open UAS students in Spring term of 2022.

Assessment methods and criteria

Pass/ Fail

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.