| WEEK | TOPICS |
|---|
| 1st Week | Introduction to songwriting: knowing you tools and goals. |
| 2nd Week | Song forms: typical song forms; different forms for different styles; how to use these forms. |
| 3rd Week | Melody, harmony and lyrics: typical chord progressions in contemporary songs; using form and harmony together. |
| 4th Week | Presentation of student compositions using learned techniques. |
| 5th Week | Writing songs in different keys; chord progressions in minor and major keys; modal songwriting. |
| 6th Week | Ways of notation: the difference between a lead sheet and chart; chart writing techniques. |
| 7th Week | Presentation of student compositions using learned techniques. |
| 8th Week | Mid-term exam. |
| 9th Week | The importance of melody in songwriting; writing melodies with different approaches; melody examples from different genres. |
| 10th Week | Techniques for writing a melody: use of intervals, phrasing, consistency between harmony and melody; improving melody according to harmony. |
| 11th Week | Presentation of student compositions using learned techniques. |
| 12th Week | Lyric writing; phonetics, re-coloring and rhyme: poestic writing techniques: imagery and metaphores. |
| 13th Week | Writing in different genres: form, harmony, melody, lyrics and arrangements in blues, rock, funk, reggae and jazz songs. |
| 14th Week | Presentation of student compositions using learned techniques. |
