MUSC 152: Songwriting II

Citrus College Course Outline of Record

Citrus College Course Outline of Record
Heading Value
Effective Term: Fall 2022
Credits: 2
Total Contact Hours: 54
Lecture Hours : 36
Lab Hours: 18
Hours Arranged: 0
Outside of Class Hours: 72
Prerequisite: Audition.
Strongly Recommended: MUSC 151.
Transferable to CSU: Yes
Transferable to UC: No
Grading Method: Standard Letter, Pass/No Pass

Catalog Course Description

This course expands the student's commercial songwriting techniques. Included are development of ideas, writing melodies, melodic expansion, chord progressions, form, and light orchestrations. 36 lecture hours, 18 lab hours.

Course Objectives

  • Create melodies in chosen styles
  • provide appropriate harmonies for composed melodies
  • orchestrate compositions for small commercial group
  • analyze popular songs in terms of melody, form, style, chords and phrasing

Major Course Content

  1. Lyric Analysis
    1. contrast of literature
    2. analysis of lryic form
    3. Writing in various styles
  2. Instrumental
    1. Study and execution of various songwriting styles
    2. Reading music of songwriting styles
    3. execution of written music of various songwriting styles
      1. Varied chord structures
      2. Voicing approaches that include inversions
  3. Performance
    1. Recording
      1. Execution of style and technique in a recording environment
      2. Dynamic approaches applicable to recording environments
      3. Timing and Groove approaches applicable to recording environments
      4. Intonation accuracy (matching pitch)
    2. Live
      1. Execution of style and technique in a live environment
      2. Intonation accuracy (matching pitch)
      3. Timing and groove approaches applicable to live environments
      4. Dyanamic approaches applicable to live environments
      5. Attire appropriate for varied live settings

Lab Content

  1. Workshop and Develop Songs / Ideas
  2. Rehearsal Preparation and Direction
  3. Rehearsals
  4. Recording Preparation
  5. Recording Session
  6. Mixing

Suggested Reading Other Than Required Textbook

Sonnets, Song Lyrics, Industry Periodicals, Musical Biographies, Online web resources

Examples of Required Writing Assignments

Written projects, including sonnets, song lyrics, and song sketches are required.

Examples of Outside Assignments

Write Songs, Listen to and Evaluate Songs, Observe and Evaluate Performances, Research Genres, Analyze Song Structure in Various Genres

Instruction Type(s)

Lab, Lecture, Online Education Lab, Online Education Lecture