Contemporary popular music is inextricably linked with songwriting and this course further expands the skills of the songwriter.  

Building upon the foundation of skills taught in the 'Introduction to Songwriting' course, this course studies in depth many of the advanced elements of songwriting, such as lyrics and content, song form and collaborative partnerships. 

The subject areas are illustrated using many examples of classic and contemporary songs by a variety of songwriters, and the tutor encourages group discussion and exploration of the topics. This very hands-on aspect of the course is further reinforced through weekly set assignments where you will learn to apply these techniques to your own work.

The first five weeks of the course are based on co-writing assignments where you will work with another group member. This will not only ensure the skills are practically applied in your work, but that through the course you will build up a repertoire of original songs.  

In week 10 the group will perform material from the course at an informal gig either within the college or out at an ‘open mic’ event. You can invite your friends to this and/or use it as an informal showcase for your work. The tutor will support you through every step of this process and can also accompany you if necessary. Principle subjects covered include:

> Harmony & theory; complex chord sequences, melodic development

> Lyrics: Dramatic narratives, story telling

> Song Structure: Creative forms, meter

> Stylistic awareness; perfect pop, 60’s music, singer songwriter

GENERAL COURSE DETAILS