Course overview
This course introduces students to the creative, technical and professional skills used by composers in a contemporary popular music context, with a focus on the creation and presentation of new original music. Seminars introduce composition and song writing techniques, including creative impetus, the musical materials of rhythm, pitch, melody, chords progressions and song structures, and approaches to writing lyrics. Stylistic idioms used in contemporary popular music styles are contextualized in relation to established song-writing forms. Through Workshops, students will work in small groups to prepare their original work for live performance. Rehearsal, improvisation and performance techniques will be introduced, culminating in on and off-campus student performances.
Course learning outcomes
- Develop an understanding of basic composition and music production principles used by professional songwriters;
- Develop an understanding of their own compositional voice at a basic level
- Develop a cogent and quality portfolio of songs in a recorded and notated format;
- skills in the interpretation and performance of the compositions of others;
- an understanding of the roles, responsibilities, and activities involved in live Contemporary Music performance; and
- basic abilities in the evaluation of performances and the communication of instructions and technical requirements to others.
Availability
Class details
Adelaide City Campus East
Class number 28653
Section LE01
Size 34
Available 33
Class number 28655
Section PF01
Size 15
Available 15
Class number 28654
Section PF02
Size 15
Available 14
Class number 28662
Section WS01
Size 5
Available 5
Notes:
Class number 28661
Section WS02
Size 5
Available 5
Notes:
Class number 28660
Section WS03
Size 5
Available 5
Notes:
Class number 28659
Section WS04
Size 5
Available 5
Notes:
Class number 28658
Section WS05
Size 5
Available 5
Notes:
Class number 28657
Section WS06
Size 5
Available 5
Notes:
Class number 28656
Section WS07
Size 5
Available 5
Notes:
Class number 27801
Section WS08
Size 5
Available 4
Notes:
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The Student Contribution amount displayed below is for students commencing a new program from 2021 onwards. If you are continuing in a program you commenced prior to 1 January 2021, or are commencing an Honours degree relating to an undergraduate degree you commenced prior to 1 January 2021, you may be charged a different Student Contribution amount from the amount displayed below. Please check the Student Contribution bands for continuing students here. If you are an international student, or a domestic student studying in a full fee paying place, and are continuing study that you commenced in 2025 or earlier, your fees will be available here before enrolments open for 2026.