Tuesday - Introduction & Orientation

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  - How to navigate this course

      - Key chart

      - Rhyming dictionary

      - Presenting songs

      - Work-shopping

          - Giving good feedback

          - Receiving feedback

          - Asking for advice

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  - The Songwriting Process

  - The Audience

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Assignments -

1. Get a notebook! Or set up a digital place to keep ideas and work in for the course...or get both!

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2. Find a song and break it down. Write a short description of the song thinking about form, chords, rhyme scheme, imagery, etc. Tell me why you like it, and why you don't

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3. Explore the rhyming dictionary as well as the resource section in this progressions course.

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4. Find a time and a place to write. Be prepared to share that with the group next Tuesday!

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Thursday - [In Person] - Workshop at Swallow Hill

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You must bring a song or a partial song to share with the class.

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Tuesday - Writing and Revising your Lyrics

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Revising Lyrics - Guidelines

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- Poetics & rhyme scheme

- Thinking through your narrative

- Thinking through your imagery

- Punching up your lines

- Finding your own words

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Assignment: Write a song from one of the song prompts, or from your title list or idea list.

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Rewriting worksheet

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Assignments:

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1. Make a list of common phrases you use when you speak.

2. Make a list of questions to ask yourself when editing

3. Rewrite a verse of song you have already finished that uses a "predictable" rhyme. Use less "predictable words".

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Thursday - [In Person] Workshop at Swallow Hill

- Bring a song that is incomplete

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Tuesday - Writing and Revising Your Music

 

Revising Music - Guidelines

 

 

- Chord Voicings

- Standard progressions

- Re-harmonizing

 

- composing a linear melody

- Differentiating your sections

- Groove and texture

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Assignment: Write a song using the chord progression: Am-D-G in the verse. Start your chorus on a Bm chord.

 

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Thursday - [In Person] - Workshop at Swallow Hill

Martin Out - Substitute

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  - Bring a completed song to share.

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Tuesday - Form and Structure - Building a Worksheet

 

- The song forms

- Rhyme Schemes

- The Musical Alphabet

  - Chords, Voicings

  - Diatonic Triad Chart

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- Standard Chord progressions

- Charts

   - Sample Lyric Sheet

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Assignments -

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1. Free write for ten minutes using your non-dominant hand. 

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Assignment - Make a list of five things that make you feel creative.

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Thursday - [In-Person] Workshop at Swallow Hill

Bring a song written from Section 1 writing prompts

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