Songwriting: Concepts and Craft addresses the knowledge and skills required to write songs in a range of contemporary popular styles. Songwriting is a creative practice seated in a discipline with history and context, and theory and method. Students will be guided through an historical overview of major eras and styles of popular songwriting since ca.1910s as well as in analysis of the relevant musical theory and methods that underpin songs from these eras and styles, with the intention of informing the students own portfolio of original popular songs.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- apply relevant musical theory and songwriting method to original songs in a range of modern styles and songwriting contexts;
- critically evaluate major songs drawn from major historical eras and styles of the recent century;
- apply song arranging skills to their original songs, inclusive of: writing for the rhythm section, writing for backing vocals, writing for horns and/or second keyboard (e.g. synth pad), and creating charts; and
- articulate key decisions taken during the creative process (both contextual, as well as technical and expressive) through an exegesis.
Indicative Assessment
- Oral presentation, 10 minutes (10) [LO 2]
- Portfolio of 3 original songs (minimum 3 mins, 25% each) charted and recorded (basic demo style) (75) [LO 1,3]
- Exegesis on original songs, 800 words (15) [LO 4]
The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
130 hours of total student learning time made up from:
a) 36 hours of contact: 12 hours of lectures and 24 hours of workshop and workshop-like activities.
b) 94 hours of independent student research, composing, reading and writing.
Inherent Requirements
Not applicable
Requisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
Not applicable
Preliminary Reading
Repertoire list as reader.Assumed Knowledge
Basic level of music theory equivalent to MUSI1502 Aural Skills and Music Theory 2, and ability to play an instrument.
Majors
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 12
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2024 | $3780 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2024 | $5280 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
First Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2600 | 19 Feb 2024 | 26 Feb 2024 | 05 Apr 2024 | 24 May 2024 | In Person | View |