Songwriting for Rock, Indie, and Alternative Styles
This course explores and develops the songwriter’s artistic voice through the lens of rock, indie, and alternative styles. Utilizing a project-based format, students will work to hone their skills through examining and deconstructing writing, arranging, and production techniques in rock, indie, and alternative music spanning from artists in the 1960s to the current day. Examples will range from Jimi Hendrix, Nirvana, and Alanis Morrissette to Paramore, Olivia Rodrigo, Carly Cosgrove, and Remi Wolf. This class will also examine the historical and cultural context in which these genres were created and developed over time.
Students will learn techniques for generating ideas and developing, revising, analyzing, and structuring their songs to best serve their artistic voices and visions within the scope of these genres. The course will also feature visiting artists and input from industry professionals from the current generation of rock/alternative music creators who are innovating in these styles today.