MUS 36 Songwriting 1

The practice of animating language with music shows up in nearly every culture in the world. Throughout time, songs have been a medium for emotion, story, survival, cultural memory, spiritual practice, celebration, mourning, commerce and more.  In this course students will explore the technical, sonic, formal, poetic and metaphysical dimensions of songs through a rigorous weekly practice of songwriting, listening, sharing and critique. We will look broadly at songwriting techniques from many genres and traditions, and we will acquire powerful tools for unlocking and understanding the musicality that exists in language, and the meaning that can unfold from harmonic, melodic and sonic gestures. This course is open to students with any level of musical training or ability, but comfort with singing in front of others is recommended. Not open to students who have received credit for MUS 031.

Instructor

Alvarez

Degree Requirement Attributes

Dist:ART

The Timetable of Class Meetings contains the most up-to-date information about a course. It includes not only the meeting time and instructor, but also its official distributive and/or world culture designation. This information supersedes any information you may see elsewhere, to include what may appear in this ORC/Catalog or on a department/program website. Note that course attributes may change term to term therefore those in effect are those (only) during the term in which you enroll in the course.