Songwriting 1: Skills and Strategies

This module will introduce the student to foundations and principles in the art & craft of songwriting. A wide range of techniques will be examined in weekly workshops such as structure & arrangement, lyric writing, melodic and harmonic prosody; as well as more conceptual approaches to accessing creativity, and nurturing & experimenting with your artistic voice.  

Songwriting 2: Creative Co-writing

This module will provide the student with weekly opportunities to tackle ‘live’ briefs with professional songwriters and creative practitioners; and to explore a range of contemporary and exemplary methods and techniques.

Students will expand their work in a collaborative environment, by incorporating elements such as arranging, recording and mixing. 

Typically, students will work in teams of two or more, up to a usual maximum of six.

Digital Music Production

This module provides the student with a thorough introduction to audio and MIDI recording, editing and processing within the computer domain to an advanced level.

Indicative content includes: recording and editing audio; composing beats and drum patterns; recording, creating and editing MIDI; building and editing song arrangements; mixing; automation; working to picture; production analysis

Recording

Students will engage with sound engineering and music production techniques within a modern recording studio, exploring multi-session & multi-track techniques, mixing/editing, delivery systems, and operational management. 

Performance: Practice and Presentation

This module provides the student with the opportunity to develop practice and performance skills. Live performance will be developed through rehearsal, tutorial guidance and ‘gigs’. The student will use established and/or experimental processes to achieve their aims.

Indicative content includes: how to get a gig – strategies and networking; persona and appearance; presentation (visuals); programme planning (‘the set-list’); managing the stage space; vocal techniques; physicality 

Creative and Cultural Entrepreneurship

This module provides opportunities for students to work individually and in collaboration to develop skills in thinking critically and creatively about entrepreneurship and, in particular, social entrepreneurship. ‘Real-world’ briefs are set by industry and feedback is provided from the industry sector on entrepreneurship initiatives developed by the students. 

Topics covered include: contexts for, and controversies about, creative and cultural enterprise; entrepreneurial self-evaluation, resource analysis and network development; business planning, finance and operations; contracts, rights and intellectual property

Getting Down to Business: Songwriting and the Music Industry

Students will investigate the following areas:

• The traditional and new “DIY” pathways and opportunities within the music and creative industries.
• The placement of practical work within promotional, economic and marketing contexts.
• The role of technology in the promotion and dissemination of original music.
• The business structures and their legal, political and ethical considerations.
• Examination of achievable career goals and analogous contact networks.

Major Project

This module aims to provide students with an opportunity to engage in a major in-depth portfolio project, allowing exploitation of knowledge from course modules. Feedback on Major Projects is provided by our Course ambassador, CEO of Libertino Records, Gruff Owen. 

Taught by practising songwriters, producers, and published academics, the course is also delivered through a series of master classes from industry professionals.

The course incorporates desktop and studio-based production processes, with key business skills such as publishing, promotion, distribution and session planning.

Emphasis is on practical activities and encouraging you to find your own voice when developing material. Teaching sessions take place in a supportive environment, where students provide feedback on each others work. Practical sessions are underpinned by skills development and an understanding of theories about best practice in songwriting and production.

The songwriting course embraces singer/performer songwriters, as well as those who do not wish to perform their own material; solo and group outputs; creative collaboration; and material produced in studio/digital environments. The degree can also be studied by distance learning; UK and international students may choose to study using their own studio base and equipment.

“In an ever-changing industry where listening formats, recording processes and budgets are constantly evolving, songwriting and production are still a good way for a musician to have a long, fulfilling and successful career. It is hugely encouraging to see the University of South Wales offering [songwriting and production] to masters degree level. Creative areas can often be solitary places, so the opportunity to learn from others and share ideas in a creative environment such as the ATRiuM should prove an invaluable experience.”