This is a course for advanced songwriter/composers, music makers who are ready to create bands, albums, shows, that transcend the single song into a larger listening experience. Knowing which songs/compositions represent your “voice” with resonance predictive of what you will write in the future, but combine, with integrity, strong material you’ve already written—is difficult to do on your own.
Artistic self-knowledge in music requires dialogue with outside listeners. The class will function as your “producer,” helping you to find and draw upon your strengths. We will also construct a music theory “toolbox” to help you learn to understand and troubleshoot what you do, when parts of the whole aren’t working. How do you approach harmony, melody, rhythm, timbre, text and texture? How should you approach them? What is your personal style? Who are you…after all? Students should have a private and quiet setting where they are able to play and sing out loud, for the entire duration of class time.
All classes will be taught remote except for two separate weeks at the middle and end of term when the instructor will come to campus to offer in-person coaching. However, permanently remote students will be included in those in-person classes. Showing work at weekly Music Workshop can be in-person or remote. Likewise concerts of class-related music may be in-person or remote. Remote students may trust their inclusion in all class events.
Learning Outcomes:
musical self-knowledge
audience engagement
improving communication of art and its personal message
Delivery Method: Remotely accessible
Prerequisites: Participants must have working knowledge of recording, performance and music theory, as well as some exposure to music history/ethnomusicology and notation. Please submit via email to kbrazelton@bennington.edu by November 12: recordings of your work and a statement about prior music learning and performance/recording experience.
Corequisites: Must be willing to show work-in-progress at Music Workshop, Tuesday evenings.
Course Level: 4000-level
Credits: 4
M/Th 1:40PM - 3:30PM (Full-term)
Maximum Enrollment: 12
Course Frequency: One time only
Categories: All courses , Composition , Remotely Accessible
Tags: Music Composition , music performance , music theory , performance , recording , Songwriting