Berklee

Songwriting: Writing the Music

This course is part of Songwriting: Writing, Arranging, and Producing Music Specialization

Taught in English

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Scarlet Keys

Instructor: Scarlet Keys

11,051 already enrolled

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Course

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals

5.0

(43 reviews)

Intermediate level

Recommended experience

11 hours (approximately)
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace

Details to know

Shareable certificate

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Assessments

8 quizzes

Course

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals

5.0

(43 reviews)

Intermediate level

Recommended experience

11 hours (approximately)
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace

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This course is part of the Songwriting: Writing, Arranging, and Producing Music Specialization
When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.
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There are 5 modules in this course

Welcome to the course! Here we will cover all the details about the course and what you'll need to know to get the most out of your experience.

What's included

1 video4 readings1 quiz

In this first lesson, we will begin working with diatonic chords in a chosen key and learning how to borrow non-diatonic chords to create evocative harmonies for your songs. We will look at several popular chord progressions and begin experimenting with choosing the perfect chords to help you tell your lyrical story.

What's included

8 videos2 readings2 quizzes1 discussion prompt

In this lesson we will expand our knowledge of harmony to include 7th chords and added tensions. We will use these new chords to create more interesting harmonies for our lyrics and melodies. We will also practice changing the harmonic rhythm in our songs to better support our melodies and lyrics. Finally, we will use harmonic rhythm to show contrast between our song sections.

What's included

6 videos4 readings2 quizzes1 discussion prompt

In this lesson we will begin to create better melodies for our lyrics. We will start by learning about different types and shapes of melodic lines. We will then practice creating melodic hooks and using stable and unstable tones in our melodies. We will also learn the importance of using melodic contrast between song sections.

What's included

6 videos3 readings2 quizzes1 discussion prompt

In this final lesson, we will begin to put everything together to help our lyrics tell their story. We will discover how to highlight our melodies by using chord tones and non-chord tones from our harmonies. We will also focus on setting our lyrics to the melody and harmony in a way that highlights the meaning we want to convey to the audience. Finally, we will practice creating melodies in minor keys.

What's included

7 videos3 readings1 quiz1 peer review

Instructor

Instructor ratings
4.9 (21 ratings)
Scarlet Keys
Berklee
1 Course11,051 learners

Offered by

Berklee

Recommended if you're interested in Music and Art

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5.0

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5

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5

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Reviewed on Mar 17, 2022

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