Develop your ability to compose songs through practical exercises. Examine well known songs from pop, rock and jazz in order to understand their chord progressions, accompaniment, bass lines and rhythm. Ideal for players and singers with a good working knowledge of harmony.Develop your ability to compose songs through practical exercises. Examine well known songs from pop, rock and jazz in order to understand their chord progr...
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Develop your songwriting skills through active listening, discussion, musical demonstration and practical exercises. This short course suitable for singers and instrumentalists keen to build confidence and expertise in writing songs.
What will we cover?
Song structure
Chord sequences and harmonic analysis
Effective key changes
Rhythm and tempo
Accompaniment techniques
Texture and mood
Tricks of the trade
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
Enjoy a deeper understanding of the technical process
Create solid, effective chord sequences
Demonstrate an understanding of song form and structural devices
Demonstrate an increased understanding of accompaniment techniques
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
Students should have a good grasp of music theory including triads and 7th chords. Guitar and piano players especially welcome.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
Musical demonstration and analysis by the tutor, group discussion and practical musical tasks. Assignments will be set during and after each session.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
Music materials, and resources will be supplied. You will need a notebook and pencil. Use your own acoustic instrument.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
City Lit offers a wide range of relevant music courses, including Songwriting, Composition, Musicianship, instrumental, singing and ensemble classes. Please browse the website, consult your tutor, or contact the Music department for further advice.
David Harrison studied at Oxford Brookes university before taking a post-graduate diploma in saxophone performance at Guildhall School of Music & Drama. David has been teaching at City Lit since 1994. In 2004 he wrote a guitar player’s guide for Collins and joined Music Sales in 2005 to update the famous A Tune A Day tutor series, eventually producing over 40 titles as series editor of the relaunched A New Tune A Day books, which has since become the biggest-selling music tutor series worldwide. Since 2010, David has worked freelance writing, editing and producing mainly educational titles, including Abracadabra Beginning Theory (Collins Music); The Complete Ukulele Player (Music Sales) and most recently the Bob Dylan Complete (Hal Leonard), the authorised collection of every Dylan song, together with an extensive introduction covering Dylan’s acoustic guitar technique, his song-writing and Dylan’s place in the American folk music revival. Aside from his guitar and saxophone classes, David runs a course in song writing. a series of talks on the music of The Beatles, and a series on the songs of Bob Dylan’s 1960s albums.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/songwriting-form-and-function333777Songwriting: form and functionhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/Music_theory-score_reading-1024.jpg229229GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Performing arts/Courses/Performing arts/Music/Courses/Performing arts/Music/Music theory & musicianship/Courses/Online courses228513141351135917311228513141351<p>Develop your ability to compose songs through practical exercises. Examine well known songs from pop, rock and jazz in order to understand their chord progressions, accompaniment, bass lines and rhythm. Ideal for players and singers with a good working knowledge of harmony.Develop your ability to compose songs through practical exercises. Examine well known songs from pop, rock and jazz in order to understand their chord progressions, accompaniment, bass lines and rhythm. Ideal for players and singers with a good working knowledge of harmony.</p>003034606Songwriting: form and function229229https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/Music_theory-score_reading-1024.jpgInStockDaytimeSatOnlineAvailable courses11 weeks or longerWeekend2026-09-19T00:00:00+00:00Sep 2026Performing artsMG893229229Songwriting: form and function229160229David Harrisonsongwriting-form-and-function/mg893-2627<p>Develop your ability to compose songs through practical exercises. Examine well known songs from pop, rock and jazz in order to understand their chord progressions, accompaniment, bass lines and rhythm. Ideal for players and singers with a good working knowledge of harmony.Develop your ability to compose songs through practical exercises. Examine well known songs from pop, rock and jazz in order to understand their chord progressions, accompaniment, bass lines and rhythm. Ideal for players and singers with a good working knowledge of harmony.</p>0000-Available|2026-09-19 00:00:00<p>Develop your songwriting skills through active listening, discussion, musical demonstration and practical exercises. This short course suitable for singers and instrumentalists keen to build confidence and expertise in writing songs.</p><p>Develop your ability to compose songs through practical exercises. Examine well known songs from pop, rock and jazz in order to understand their chord progressions, accompaniment, bass lines and rhythm. Ideal for players and singers with a good working knowledge of harmony.Develop your ability to compose songs through practical exercises. Examine well known songs from pop, rock and jazz in order to understand their chord progressions, accompaniment, bass lines and rhythm. Ideal for players and singers with a good working knowledge of harmony.</p><ul><li>Song structure</li><li>Chord sequences and harmonic analysis</li><li>Effective key changes</li><li>Rhythm and tempo</li><li>Accompaniment techniques</li><li>Texture and mood</li><li>Tricks of the trade</li></ul><ul><li>Enjoy a deeper understanding of the technical process</li><li>Create solid, effective chord sequences</li><li>Demonstrate an understanding of song form and structural devices</li><li>Demonstrate an increased understanding of accompaniment techniques</li></ul><p>Students should have a good grasp of music theory including triads and 7th chords. Guitar and piano players especially welcome.</p><p>Musical demonstration and analysis by the tutor, group discussion and practical musical tasks. Assignments will be set during and after each session.</p><p>Music materials, and resources will be supplied. You will need a notebook and pencil. Use your own acoustic instrument.</p><p>City Lit offers a wide range of relevant music courses, including Songwriting, Composition, Musicianship, instrumental, singing and ensemble classes. Please browse the website, consult your tutor, or contact the Music department for further advice.</p>MusicMusic theory & musicianshipvirtual229229160MG893NONESat19/09/26 - 28/11/2610:15 - 11:4510:1511:4511 sessions (over 11 weeks)1111 weeks or longerDaytimeWeekendOnlineOnlineDavid HarrisonAvailable courses2026-09-19T00:00:00+00:00Sep 2026Performing arts229229Songwriting: form and functionsongwriting-form-and-function/mg893-2627<p>Develop your ability to compose songs through practical exercises. Examine well known songs from pop, rock and jazz in order to understand their chord progressions, accompaniment, bass lines and rhythm. Ideal for players and singers with a good working knowledge of harmony.Develop your ability to compose songs through practical exercises. Examine well known songs from pop, rock and jazz in order to understand their chord progressions, accompaniment, bass lines and rhythm. Ideal for players and singers with a good working knowledge of harmony.</p>0000-Available|2026-09-19 00:00:00<p>Develop your songwriting skills through active listening, discussion, musical demonstration and practical exercises. This short course suitable for singers and instrumentalists keen to build confidence and expertise in writing songs.</p><p>Develop your ability to compose songs through practical exercises. Examine well known songs from pop, rock and jazz in order to understand their chord progressions, accompaniment, bass lines and rhythm. Ideal for players and singers with a good working knowledge of harmony.Develop your ability to compose songs through practical exercises. Examine well known songs from pop, rock and jazz in order to understand their chord progressions, accompaniment, bass lines and rhythm. Ideal for players and singers with a good working knowledge of harmony.</p><ul><li>Song structure</li><li>Chord sequences and harmonic analysis</li><li>Effective key changes</li><li>Rhythm and tempo</li><li>Accompaniment techniques</li><li>Texture and mood</li><li>Tricks of the trade</li></ul><ul><li>Enjoy a deeper understanding of the technical process</li><li>Create solid, effective chord sequences</li><li>Demonstrate an understanding of song form and structural devices</li><li>Demonstrate an increased understanding of accompaniment techniques</li></ul><p>Students should have a good grasp of music theory including triads and 7th chords. Guitar and piano players especially welcome.</p><p>Musical demonstration and analysis by the tutor, group discussion and practical musical tasks. Assignments will be set during and after each session.</p><p>Music materials, and resources will be supplied. You will need a notebook and pencil. Use your own acoustic instrument.</p><p>City Lit offers a wide range of relevant music courses, including Songwriting, Composition, Musicianship, instrumental, singing and ensemble classes. Please browse the website, consult your tutor, or contact the Music department for further advice.</p>MusicMusic theory & musicianshipconfigurable
13591351Music theory & musicianshiphttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/performing-arts/music/music-theory-and-musicianship1/2/285/1314/1351/13591/Courses/Performing arts/Music/Music theory & musicianship
