https://www.coursera.org/course/songwriting
Last month I participated in an online course at Coursera.org, and really enjoyed it. The courses are free. You don't get college credit for them, but there is a record of your participation. Each week there is a series of bite-sized lessons (videos about 15 to 20 min long) and "homework" assignments. Throughout the course there are quizzes and exams (which you take online). There is the option to submit your work for peer discussion and to participate in discussion forums. But, if all you want to do is watch the videos, that's fine too!If you haven’t written any or many songs, this course will show you an efficient, effective process for tailoring songs to express your ideas and emotions. If you have, you’ll look at your process differently, taking control of aspects of the process you may have not noticed. The course will start by examining the tools available to you, all revolving around the essential concept of prosody. You’ll learn to use your tools to enhance your message—to work compositionally at the same time you’re developing your ideas.
This month I signed up for "Introduction to Music Production" (which some of us will probably be discussing downstairs in Trad Tech) and "Song writing". Not sure what to expect, but sounds interesting. Here is a list of songs that will be discussed
"Still Crazy After All These Years" (Paul Simon) performed by Paul Simon
"50 Ways to Leave Your Lover" (Paul Simon) performed by Paul Simon
"Can’t Be Really Gone" (Gary Burr) performed by Tim McGraw
"Eleanor Rigby" (John Lennon/Paul McCartney) performed by The Beatles
"The End of the Innocence" (Don Henley) performed by Don Henley
"For No One" (John Lennon/Paul McCartney) performed by The Beatles
"The Great Pretender" (Buck Ram) performed by The Platters
"Hasten Down the Wind" (Warren Zevon) performed by Warren Zevon
"Heartbeat City" (Ric Ocasek) performed by The Cars
"How Can We Hang On to a Dream" (Tim Hardin) performed by Tim Hardin
"I Can’t Make You Love Me" (Mike Reid/Allen Shamblin) performed by Bonnie Raitt
"In Front of the Alamo" (Gary Burr) performed by Hal Ketchum
"It Was a Very Good Year" (Ervin Drake) performed by Frank Sinatra
"Judgement of the Moon and Stars (Ludwig's Tune)" (Joni Mitchell) performed by Joni Mitchell
"One More Dollar" (Gillian Welch) performed by Gillian Welch
"Some People’s Lives" (Janis Ian/Kye Fleming) performed by Janis Ian
"Strawberry Wine" (Matraca Berg/Gary Harrison) performed by Deana Carter
"Sweet Baby James" (James Taylor) performed by James Taylor
"Train in the Distance" (Paul Simon) performed by Paul Simon
"What’ll I do?" (Irving Berlin) performed by Linda Ronstadt
"Why Can't I Have You?" (Ric Ocasek) performed by The Cars
