Introduction to Songwriting Techniques
Songwriting is one of the most richly expressive and enduring forms of human creativity. The primary focus of this course will be to introduce students to the art (emotional elements) and craft (intellectual elements) of songwriting. The course is designed to offer a depth of music study typically reserved for undergraduate music majors to the non-music major student. It is tailored to the amateur musician, of which there are many, who wishes to take their musical experiences in college to a level deeper than can be obtained by way of the typical music appreciation course.
This course requires very basic skills and for you to perform for your peers.
Please read the information below to understand these expectations before requesting this class.
- Dr. Barnett works very inclusively with any student who is motivated to learn about songwriting and is willing to perform for others.
- You need to be able to keep a basic beat and be willing to experiment with making music.
- You should have a passion for music, but you do not need to be an accomplished musician.
- You do not need to read music.
- Students will be grouped into bands of 2-4 members for the semester, will develop songs as a band, and each band will get to perform their songs in a concert in Sewall at the end of the semester. The concert will be professionally recorded.
- This class is not designed to provide you with musical instrument or vocal instruction, although your skills will likely improve as a result.
If you have any questions at all about how this class fits for you, please contact Dr. Barnett at michael.barnett@colorado.edu to discuss your questions and concerns.
Dr. Barnett reserves the right to ask you to drop the class if he determines it’s not a good fit for you. If you have to drop the class, other SRAP class selections may be limited at that time.
To avoid this, please read the expectations above before requesting this class.
Arts & Sciences Gen Ed: Arts & Humanities
3 credit hours