intro to songwriting
AIMS
- What makes a good song?
- What are the components of a good song?
- Song writing challenge
- How do I get through the unit? Assessments and Assignments
Some quotes...
As far as songwriting, my inspirations came from love, life and death, and viewing other people's situations.
Ed Sheeran
I think songwriting is the ultimate form of being able to make anything that happens in your life productive.
Taylor Swift
Songwriting is a very mysterious process. It feels like creating something from nothing. It's something I don't feel like I really control.
Tracy Chapman
My style of songwriting is influenced by cinema. I'm a frustrated filmmaker. A fan once said to me, 'Girl, you make me see pictures in my head!' and I took that as a great compliment. That's exactly my intention.
Joni Mitchell
For a songwriter, you don't really go to songwriting school; you learn by listening to tunes. And you try to understand them and take them apart and see what they're made of, and wonder if you can make one, too.
Tom Waits
Great songs are bomb-proof
Watch videos and listen to the different versions of Louie Louie. In pairs talk through the research template and make a brief analysis of the song:
- Is it a good song?
- How does it withstand all of these different interpretations?
- How does it work musically? identify the chords, melodic and structural features
great songs aren't always simplistic but they win you over with their simplicity
Garage bands and simple guitar based songs were hugely influential in the early sixties. Have a listen to these post Kingsmen tracks...
LYrics and Hooks
- Listen to the songs above. What do the lyrics have in common? What is a hook?
Songwriting challenge
- Pair up in your own Lennon/McCartney songwriting team. Write the beginnings of your own Louie Louie (20mins)
- Perform examples: what works? What doesn't?
Homework
- Revisit your research task and begin thinking about other artists you could research
- Get a notebook for lyrics NOW
- Record/write down any ideas and keep them in a portfolio FROM HENCEFORTH