Available in 2024
Course code

MUSI1901

Units

10 units

Level

1000 level

Course handbook

Description

This course introduces students to the foundational technical skills required to write a song in a contemporary popular style. Students will develop their skills in lyric writing, melodic writing, form, and chord sequences. This course will provide an overview of the use of computer software for recording and presenting works to a professional standard.


Availability2024 Course Timetables

Newcastle City Precinct

  • Semester 1 - 2024
  • Semester 2 - 2024

Replacing course(s)

This course replaces the following course(s): MUSI2004. Students who have successfully completed MUSI2004 are not eligible to enrol in MUSI1901.


Learning outcomes

On successful completion of the course students will be able to:

1. Create and present a new original work demonstrating foundational songwriting techniques.

2. Identify foundational songwriting techniques in selected musical works

3. Describe the various stylistic characteristics of popular music and music genres

4. Analyse and critique their own works


Content

  • foundational song writing techniques and how to critique works
  • melody writing, chord progressions, hooks and the writing of lyrics, rhythmic patterns and form
  • stylistic markers for popular music genres such as rock, reggae, R&B, folk/country and hip hop

Requisite

This course replaces MUSI2004. If you have successfully completed MUSI2004 you cannot enrol in this course.


Assessment items

Proposal / Plan: Songwriting Project Proposal
Compulsory Requirement: Submit assessment item - Must submit this assessment to pass the course.

Case Study / Problem Based Learning: Analysis of set works
Compulsory Requirement: Submit assessment item - Must submit this assessment to pass the course.

Project: Create an original song composition
Compulsory Requirement: Submit assessment item - Must submit this assessment to pass the course.


Contact hours

Semester 1 - 2024 - Newcastle City Precinct

Lecture-1
  • Face to Face On Campus 1 hour(s) per week(s) for 8 week(s) starting in week 1
Tutorial-1
  • Face to Face On Campus 1 hour(s) per week(s) for 8 week(s) starting in week 1
Workshop-1
  • Face to Face On Campus 2 hour(s) per week(s) for 5 week(s) starting in week 9

Semester 2 - 2024 - Newcastle City Precinct

Lecture-1
  • Face to Face On Campus 1 hour(s) per week(s) for 8 week(s) starting in week 1
Tutorial-1
  • Face to Face On Campus 1 hour(s) per week(s) for 8 week(s) starting in week 1
Workshop-1
  • Face to Face On Campus 2 hour(s) per week(s) for 5 week(s) starting in week 9

Course outline