Contemporary Writing & Production Courses

In this practical course students work on the musical concepts of melody, rhythm, harmony and form as applied to the principles and techniques of writing and arranging for the rhythm section (drums, bass, guitar, keyboards, basic percussion) and a lead-line in a solo instrument, two horns (trumpet, alto or tenor sax) or voice. Students learn the conceptualization process of combining individual components to create a musically satisfying arrangement. Study of various contemporary musical styles and musical concepts that comprise them, including writing from the "bottom up" (groove-driven) and "top down" (working with a melody in a lead instrument or voice). Writing assignments will incorporate combinations of acoustic, electronic and/or MIDI instruments. The course includes a fast-pace overview of the fundamental concepts of music notation such as imaginary bar line, transposition, and rhythmic notation.

In this practical course students work on the musical concepts of melody, rhythm, harmony and form as applied to the principles and techniques of writing and arranging for the rhythm section (drums, bass, guitar, keyboards, basic percussion) and a lead-line in a solo instrument, two horns (trumpet, alto or tenor sax) or voice. After a review of the fundamental concepts of music calligraphy, music notation, imaginary bar line, transposition, and rhythmic notation students learn the conceptualization process of combining individual components to create a musically satisfying arrangement. Study of various contemporary musical styles and musical concepts that comprise them, including writing from the "bottom up" (groove-driven) and "top down" (working with a melody in a lead instrument or voice). Writing assignments will incorporate combinations of acoustic, electronic and/or MIDI instruments. 

After a full review of writing for the rhythm section, students learn the properties of trumpet, alto sax, tenor sax, trombone, and baritone sax, and the writing/arranging processes of standard and spread voicings, approach techniques, melodic embellishment, and guide tone backgrounds. Focus is on applying the writing processes to soli and background writing for two-, three-, four-, and five-part combinations of these instruments. 

An introduction to writing and production techniques in hip-hop styles. Topics include the social and cultural aspects of hip-hop music as it pertains to the music's origins and early pioneers, the analysis of stylistic and musical characteristics, and instruction in the use of sequencing software in hip-hop production.

Expanding on the material introduced in Arranging 1, this course focuses on a more in-depth study of stylistic approaches of creating and writing grooves for the rhythm section (drums, bass, guitar, keyboards, and percussion) and how different styles work together and influence each other. Original techniques and practical approaches to creating grooves will be presented through listening analysis, original writing techniques, as well as methods used to create hybrid grooves. Styles to be covered include: funk, rock, soul, Afro-Cuban, hip-hop, electronic, and Brazilian, which includes some selected Caribbean styles. Some production analysis will be included to identify soundscapes and instrumentation as they relate to style. 

The course covers the necessary tools, techniques, and applications of MIDI sequencing and digital audio for writing and production. Main topics include the MIDI standard and its applications, setup and use of digital audio workstations (DAWs), integration of MIDI and audio tracks/sources, use of software synthesizers, basic mixing techniques, audio theory, equipment, and techniques. Through practical examples, activities, and projects, the student will learn how to effectively use a DAW to write and produce music. Emphasis is placed on the technological needs of the contemporary writer. In addition to having access to the Technology Labs to complete coursework, contemporary writing and production students are expected to have Logic Pro and the CWP Major Bundle when taking this course.

Instruction in advanced small group writing concepts that encompasses sophisticated rhythm section scoring and groove writing, including writing for auxiliary percussion; an introduction to writing for voices and strings; background writing for horns, strings, and voices; manipulation of elements of large-scale form and structure; creation of complex, layered textures; and hybrid writing techniques involving sequencing and live players. In addition, the course will focus heavily on score and part preparation.

Conceptualizing, writing, and producing vocals; contemporary writing and production techniques for vocal groups of different sizes; working with vocals in live situations versus the recording studio environment; writing background vocals above a band versus a cappella vocal writing. Creating vocal band effects will also be explored. Range considerations, timbre, vocal production, and notation for various size vocal groups; writing and production techniques and considerations for recording studio situations.

Composition of music for radio and television commercials. Emphasis on means of creating suitable product image. Working with, and alteration of, given lyrics. Some lyric writing. Determining proper instrumentations. Timing considerations.

A study of rhythmic styles of contemporary salsa music, including characteristics of instrumentation and the unique clave rhythmic pattern. Specific rhythmic styles analyzed will include mambo, son montuno, guajiro, bomba, merengue, and songo, among others. Musical scores of Eddie Palmieri, Juan Luis Guerra, Oscar D'León, Arturo Sandoval, Paquito D'Rivera, and many others will be analyzed. Students will create melodies as well as piano, guitar, bass, and percussion rhythmic patterns; they will write brass instrumental sections using the clave rhythmic pattern.