MUSC 253: Songwriting III

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: Skills assessment.
Strongly Recommended: MUSC 152.
Transferable to CSU: Yes
Transferable to UC: No
Grading Method: Standard Letter, Pass/No Pass

Catalog Course Description

An intermediate-advanced level course covering commercial songwriting techniques. Included are development of intermediate-advanced level commercial songwriting ideas, writing melodies, melodic expansion, chord progression, form, light orchestration and lyric development. 36 lecture hours, 18 lab hours.

Course Objectives

  • Compose and arrange original compositions at an intermediate-advanced level as evidenced by their achievement in successful balance of lyric, melody, harmony, harmonic progression, textures and arrangement.
  • Understand elements of "delivery" of original compositions such as performance, audio and visual presentation and transmission of material at an intermediate-advanced level.
  • Understand concepts of music/entertainment industry functions at an intermediate-advanced level.

Major Course Content

  1. Development of lyrics and themes at an intermediate-advanced level
  2. Development of melodies at an intermediate-advanced level
  3. Development of harmony at an intermediate-advanced level
  4. Development of harmonic progression at an intermediate-advanced level
  5. Development of texture at an intermediate-advanced level
  6. Development of arrangement at an intermediate-advanced level
  7. Development of performance techniques at an intermediate-advanced level
  8. Development of audio and visual presentation techniques at an intermediate-advanced level
  9. Development of material transmission concepts at an intermediate-advanced level
  10. Development of comprehension of music/entertainment industry functions at an intermediate-advanced level

Lab Content

Students meet to review and develop

  1. Lyric and themes (language choices supporting the primary and supportive story line(s))
  2. Melodies (musical note choices as the lead focus)
  3. Harmony (vocal and instrumental)
  4. Harmonic progression (chord structure)
  5. Texture (sonic choices)
  6. Arrangement (instrumentation)
  7. Performance techniques (understanding, administration and application of effective performance techniques that enhance the composition)
  8. Audio and visual presentation techniques (understanding, administration and application of recording and visual recording techniques past and present)
  9. Material transmission (the art of getting recorded material to various sources)
  10. Comprehension of music/entertainment functions (the study of how the music industry operates past and present)

Suggested Reading Other Than Required Textbook

Sonnets, Song Lyrics, Industry Periodicals, Musical Biographies

Examples of Required Writing Assignments

Written projects including sonnets, song lyrics and song compositions are required

Examples of Outside Assignments

Write Songs, Listen 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