Skip to content
 Welcome back Badgers!
New Student Orientation Info →

Course Syllabus

MUSC 3570 Songwriting II

  • Division: Fine Arts, Comm, and New Media
  • Department: Music
  • Credit/Time Requirement: Credit: 2; Lecture: 2; Lab: 0
  • Prerequisites: MUSC 3560
  • Semesters Offered: Spring
  • Semester Approved: Spring 2026
  • Five-Year Review Semester: Fall 2030
  • End Semester: Fall 2031
  • Optimum Class Size: 12
  • Maximum Class Size: 20

Course Description

This course continues with the concepts learned in MUSC 3560 (Songwriting I), and introduces the concept of writing on demand (jingles, TV, film, event music, etc.) Students will also work on creating an individual songwriting "voice." This class is required for all students completing the songwriting/composition advisement track of the Bachelor of Music degree.

Justification

This course develops student's commercial writing competence, and prepares them for the demands of an increasingly competitive music industry. Similar classes are offered at other Commercial Music Bachelor of Music (BMCM) degree programs.

Student Learning Outcomes

  1. Students will be able to write lyrics and music on demand.
  2. Student will be able to create accurate lead sheets for their songs.
  3. Students will be able to demonstrate what they consider to be the attributes and characteristics of their voice as a songwriter.

Course Content

This course will focus on nurturing an active creative discipline with each student creating one song per week during the semester. Assignments will be balanced between writing on demand for advertising, TV, film, and special events, and assignments focused on nurturing each student's individual voice as a songwriter.Topics for study may include:1. Song Form2. Harmony, including diatonic, chromatic, modal, and quartal materials, and common tone and tritone substitution techniques. 3. Melody4. Rhythm and Groove5. Copyright Law6. Recording and Digital Distribution.