Stealing from the Masters

SW-333

This elective course facilitates the expansion of knowledge in songwriting thorough the analysis of successful songs in the music market place. Students will choose song and analysis will be done by individuals, small groups, and whole-classes. Analyses will require a description of structural elements of lyric (PENTAD), melody (motivic development), harmony (functional and non-functional), as well as descriptions of how these elements interact to serve the greater function of the song.  After analyzing the techniques used in each song, students will emulate those techniques in their own solo-written or collaboratively-written songs.

Credits
2
Prerequisites
Written approval of course instructor
Required Of
None
Electable By
All B.M. and P.D. students
Major Elective for
Songwriting
Semesters Offered
Fall, Spring
Location
Boston
Department
SONG
Course Chair
Rodney Alejandro
Taught By
Courses may not be offered at the listed locations or taught by the listed faculty for every semester. Consult my.berklee.edu to find course information for a specific semester.