This week we covered harmonic modulation in class7, and the various ways it can be achieved. I was particularly interested in common chord modulation, as I love how the pivot can sound and the surprise it gives to the listener. The lesson caused me to consider one of my own songs and how I achieved …
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Semester 2 Entry 4: Detail and Action
The focus for Robyn’s lecture6 this week was on detail and action in lyric writing. I feel that I had already gained somewhat of an understanding of the importance of detail in lyric writing, looking back at past songs that I have written. Here are some lyrics I’d written as an example: V: If he …
Semester 2 Entry 3: Motif Development
Robyn’s class this week4 was all about motif development, and the plethora of ways this can be achieved. To wrap my head around how motif development can function in pop songs, I looked at the motif development in Keep The Customer Satisfied by Simon and Garfunkel5, as an example of a hook with a strong …
Semester 2 Entry 2: Line Progressions, Pedals, and Ostinato
This week Robyn’s lecture2 had a focus on line progressions, which prompted me to consider songs that I liked which utilized them. As it happened, one of the first songs I had learnt to sing and play on piano contained a line progression – Step by Vampire Weekend3: The chord progression follows the descending line …
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Semester 2 Entry 1: Prosody, Metre and Lyric Modes
This week Robyn talked about techniques for lyric writing1 , such as analyzing metric feet. I was already conscious of metric feet due to study in high school, and had even already applied deliberate use of iambic pentameter as part of a stanza in reference to Shakespeare in one of my songs: So no I …
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Rehearsal Log
May 8 Rehearsal – 2pm to 4pm – Madley – Members Present: Amber, Chloe, Declan, Jachin It was good to start the scheduled rehearsals after meeting with most of the other band members in the holidays, and given we were only one person short we made a decent start on Chloe and Amber’s songs. While …
Entry 10 – Melody Part 2
This week’s lecture, Robyn focused on placement and balance of melodic structure, and in particular how variation of this is key to creating a vivid and engaging tune. Melodic phrase length especially is something I’d never particularly isolated as a technique to utilise, but Robyn’s use of I Want You Back by The Jackson 514 …
Entry 9 – Harmony Part 2
Secondary dominants. I had no idea how they functioned before this week, and was surprised to discover how widespread they are used in the music I listen to. After this class we had to find a song that featured the use of secondary dominants, and suddenly numerous chord changes in songs I’d been playing on …
Entry 8 – Lyrics (Imagery and Metaphor)
As I mentioned in the first entry on lyrics, I am a big fan of looking at the simile and metaphor potential in lyric writing, so this week was a great opportunity to develop those techniques. I particularly enjoyed the freedom provided by the exercise Robyn set for us involving creating metaphors from seemingly unrelated …
Entry 7 – Arranging
This week we looked at arrangement, and this was an area I already felt quite comfortable in. It was a good experience to contribute to the lecture by giving examples of the variety of feels and fills that the drums can contribute. It was also worthwhile that the lesson culminated in a full band jam, …
Jachin's Songwriting and Performance Journal 