SIMPLE, CLEAR, EMOTIONAL, AND INSPIRED:

SONGWRITING FOR AN AUDIENCE

Fall 2013
TIDE 1970
Dr. Mark Carson
mcarson@tulane.edu
I.

Course Description: This course will explore what makes a successful and effective song and
songwriter. Students will investigate the elements of a song: melody, lyrics, rhythm of both
hit songs and songs that they like. Guest speakers who are professional songwriters will appear
to speak on inspiration, lyric writing, rhythm, and their careers. Students will also complete
several exercises and techniques that can help their organization and effectiveness as a
songwriter. They will also collaborate with one another in most of these exercises. By the end
of the class, students will write a song and have it critiqued by their peers. No musical ability is
required.

II. Learning Objectives and Outcomes

Songwriting for Audience aims to

Introduce students into the world of songwriting as a profession

**This outcome can be reached through:
-Guest Lecturers
-Books on Songwriting
-Instructions in the techniques used in creating many popular songs
-Student written analysis a particular song/artist

Go directly from theory of creating simple and inspiring popular songs to creating them:
This outcome can be reached through
-Collaboration exercises
-Guest lecturers explaining the story behind the song
-Writing and critiquing of songs

*Enhance student satisfaction and retention:

-Creative exercises and group writing
-Creative freedom to express efficiently musically and lyrically
-Critiquing sessions of songs, both popular and student-written
III. Assignments and GradesStudents will have two short papers (3-5 double spaced typed pages,
12 font, reasonable margins) and various other assignments.

2 Songwriting for An Audience

Paper 1 (100 points) Pretend you are a music supervisor for the film dramatization or documentary
version of The New Jim Crow. Write a paper in which you choose six songs that would be appropriate for
the soundtrack to the movie. Choose six songs, centering on sections of the book, whether it be the
historical background of the development of mass incarceration or case studies presented in the book
presented in the book. The songs should reflect the major themes of what the author is presenting.
Explain in the paper why you chose the songs and what scenes these songs would be a part of.
Paper 2 (100 points) Write a book review of a book of your choosing on songwriting or on the craft of
writing in general. I have to approve the book.
Song Assignment 1 (100 points)- Compose a song, with melody and lyrics, that you have created by
yourself. If its just you singing a melody that is fine, but I want a full set of lyrics and a fully formed
melody.
Song Assignment 2: (200 points) The major assignment will be writing a song that you created with
other students in class. After some preliminary discussions on song forms, melody, and other topics,
students will get together in class and begin the process of collaboration. On the last class period (Nov 11)
students will complete and present a song in class that will be critiqued by the class. Grades on these songs
will be based on participation and how well it incorporates the techniques that have been taught. It is not
necessary that you master an instrument or have an incredible melody for the song. It is more important
that you demonstrate an understanding of how the process works, and that it includes at least some of the
elements we have discussed in class. THE SONG MUST BE RECORDED IN SOME FORM (a rough
garageband or phone recording is fine as long as the lyrics and melody are clear).
Participation and Attendance (300) The song, of course, will represent how much you participated,
but I wanted to give you a separate grade because your participation is so vital to the success of this class.
There will also be several in-class assignments that will also be part of your participation grade.
Due to the collaborative nature of this class, attendance is required. I will take roll every class period. You
may miss one class if you have a reasonable and verifiable excuse for not being present. If you miss two
classes, I will deduct 10% from your final grade. If you miss more than that, you will not pass the class.
IV. Possible Books for Book Review: Here is by no means complete list of some of the most popular
books on songwriting and on writing in general. You may either choose one of these to
review, or choose one of your own (if you choose your own, I need to approve the choice)
Books on Songwriting
Sheila Davis, The Craft of Lyric Writing
Jimmy Webb, Tunesmith
Jason Blume, Six Steps to Successful Songwriting
Pat Pattison,
Writing Better Lyrics
Jack Perricone, Melody in Songwriting: Tools and Techniques for Writing Hit Songs
Jai Josefs,
Writing Music for Hit Songs

3 Songwriting for An Audience

Books on Writing:
Richard Hugo: Triggering Town: Lectures and Essays on Poetry and Writing
Natalie Goldberg, Writing Down the Bones: Freeing the Writer Within
Eudora Welty, One Writers Beginnings
Brenda Ueland, If You Want to Write: A Book About Art, Independence and Spirit
V. Course Outline
Aug 26

Introduction-Songwriting Surveys, discussion of topics, critiquing of songs

Sept 9

Discussion of book The New Jim Crow --Paper 1 due

Sept 16

Getting StartedTitles, Word of the Day exercise, critiquing,

Assignment:

Sept 23

Song forms and structures, Titles. Collaboration exercise

Sept 30

Melody Writing-- exercises , choosing collaboration groups, critiquing of songs,

Oct 7

Song 1 due, critquing

Oct 14

Choosing of collaboration groups

Oct 21

Collaboration exercises continued

Oct 28

Guest SpeakerJim McCormick*--Country music, songwriting, inspiration,

music business Paper 2 due

Nov 4

Rough Drafts of songs due, critiquing

Nov 11

Presentation of Student Songs

*Jim McCormicks songs have been recorded by Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Brantley gilbert, Tim McGraw,
Jamey Johnson, Randy Travis, Ronnie Milsap, Trace Adkins, Trisha Yearwood, Rodney Atkins, Julianne
Hough, and many others. His new 2013 album, the Middle of the River, is available on iTunes or at
jimmcormicksongs.com
Jim McCormick recently celebrated two #1 songs on the Billboard country charts: Jason Aldean's Take A
Little Ride, which spent 3 weeks in the top position, and Brantley Gilbert's "You Dont Know Her Like I
Do," the second most-played song of 2012 at country radio, according to Bilboard.
He is a staff songwriter at BMG Chrysalis, Nashville and a sought after lyricist for many projects. Previously
hes worked as a staff writer at Warner Chappell Music and at James Strouds Generator Music. He travels
frequently to Los Angeles, London and Scandinavia to collaborate.