Module Code - Title:
MD6192
-
SONGWRITING PROCESS 2
Year Last Offered:
2025/6
Hours Per Week:
Grading Type:
N
Prerequisite Modules:
Rationale and Purpose of the Module:
Students produce both collaborative and solo work, with regular critique and support offered by peers and mentor. On completion of this module, students have a heightened awareness of their own creative voice, a demonstrable body of work to add to their songwriting portfolio and a wider repertoire of songwriting skills and creative strategies to draw from. Songwriting Process 2 builds on the skills developed and experiences gained in Songwriting Process 1. Students will draw on their existing artistic materials and experiences, and continue to build their portfolio of work with support from resident and guest faculty. Through workshops, peer review and mentoring, students should now begin to hone their songwriting style in preparation for the third semester, Final Presentation module.
Syllabus:
Building on the work done in Songwriting Process 1, in this module students engage with a range of additional approaches to songwriting, helping them to better understand and locate their own artistic practice. Students develop more advanced skills in lyric writing and in music arrangement and composition. Students further develop a body of work for recording and/or performance through a combination of one-on-one mentoring with their creative mentor, performance-based seminars with visiting artists and collaborative workshops with their peers.
Learning Outcomes:
Cognitive (Knowledge, Understanding, Application, Analysis, Evaluation, Synthesis)
Explore and reflect upon a variety of approaches to songwriting.
Develop a clear sense of one's own creative process and artistic 'voice.'
Engage with and locate oneself within a range of compositional and performative styles.
Develop a professional body of work suitable for recording / public performance.
Demonstrate the ability to work both collaboratively and as a solo artist.
Affective (Attitudes and Values)
Evaluate and discuss creative work of self and others through constructive and sensitive reflective practice / critique.
Demonstrate awareness of his / her own creative voice.
Engage in collaborate artistic practice with fellow students and mentors.
Psychomotor (Physical Skills)
Demonstrate skilfully the appropriate motor skills for affective communication of song material in a performance context.
How the Module will be Taught and what will be the Learning Experiences of the Students:
As in Songwriting Process 1, this module is taught through a combination of weekly group workshops, performance-based seminars and lectures, one intensive songwriting 'retreat' each semester and bi-weekly, one-on-one mentoring. Through engagement with professional songwriters and peers, students work collaboratively and as individuals to develop their songwriting ability and create a portfolio of work of professional standard.
Research Findings Incorporated in to the Syllabus (If Relevant):
Prime Texts:
Zollo, Paul (2011)
More songwriters on songwriting
, De Capo Press
Weissman, Dick (2001)
Songwriting: the words, the music & the money
, Hal Leonard
Collins, Dave (Ed) (2012)
The Act of Musical Composition: Studies in the Creative Process
, Routledge
Barrett, Margaret S. (2014)
Collaborative Creative Thought and Practice in Music
, Routledge
Other Relevant Texts:
Programme(s) in which this Module is Offered:
Semester(s) Module is Offered:
Spring
Module Leader:
stephen.tj.ryan@ul.ie