Online Undergraduate Degree Course

Songwriting and Producing Music Capstone

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Authored by Chrissy Tignor

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Course Code: OCWPR-495

Next semester
starts Sept 29

12 Weeks

Level 4 - Degree Only

Level 4

This is the final course in the Songwriting and Producing Music degree. You will utilize all of your cumulative knowledge from the program to create a portfolio of multiple small projects and one major capstone project.

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By the end of the course, you will be able to:

  • Demonstrate your skills within the field of writing and producing music via multiple small projects and one major capstone project 
  • Write for music libraries
  • Produce singer-songwriters
  • Write for animation
  • Create MIDI string mock-ups
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Overview Syllabus Requirements Instructors

Interested in this course?

This course can be taken as part of Bachelor of Arts in Songwriting and Producing Music Degree Program
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Syllabus

Lesson 1: Writing for Music Libraries: How to Set the Mood

  • Welcome to Your Industry: Introduction to the Course
  • How to Convey Mood without a Visual
  • Timing Is Everything
  • Creating Tension and Release
  • Assignment 1: Set the Mood!

Lesson 2: Producing Other Artists: Showcasing Your Signature Style While Reinforcing the Artist’s Sound

  • Contracted Collaborations and Developing a Collaboration Plan
  • DAW Plan of Action
  • Start Producing in the DAW
  • Assignment 2: Songwriter Production Demo: First Draft

Lesson 3: Finishing Touches: Making Your Production Complete from Top to Bottom

  • Who Can You Count On? Finding Dependable Musicians
  • Replacing MIDI with Live Players
  • Sweetening the Deal (MIDI and Audio Layering)
  • Lead Vocal Production
  • Assignment 3: Songwriter Production Demo: Final Draft

Lesson 4: Sound Design for Animation

  • Set the Pace: SMPTE
  • Foley: Making Sound Effects from Scratch
  • Ambience and Establishing Space
  • Keeping It Real
  • Assignment 4: Sound Design for Animation

Lesson 5: Music for Animation

  • Set the Pace: Tempo
  • Hit the Cues
  • Ambience and Establishing Space for Music
  • Music and FX: Finding the Right Balance
  • Assignment 5: Music for Animation

Lesson 6: Electronic Production and Songwriting 1

  • EDM Genre Exploration
  • EDM Synthesis and Patch Development
  • EDM Groove Development
  • EDM Arrangement
  • Assignment 6: Begin Your EDM Piece

Lesson 7: Electronic Production and Songwriting 2

  • Vocal Top-Lining
  • Synthesizer Macro Controls and Automation
  • Effects and Plug-In Automation
  • Assignment 7: Complete Your EDM Project

Lesson 8: Capstone Project: Developing Your Proposal and Deliverables

  • Take Inventory
  • “Jack of All Trades” or Specialize?
  • Developing Your Proposal
  • Assignment 8: Capstone Project Proposal

Lesson 9: Capstone Project: Creating an Online Presence and Highlighting Your Strengths

  • Website Focus
  • Social Media: What Works and What Doesn’t?
  • Networking and Finding Industry Colleagues
  • Assignment 9: Submit the First Capstone Deadline and List “Industry Feedback” Colleagues

Lesson 10: Capstone Project: Mix and Master

  • Mixing Approaches
  • Coaching Talent
  • Mastering
  • Assignment 10: Submit the Second Capstone Deadline

Lesson 11: Capstone Project: Submitting Your First Draft and Industry Feedback

  • Confidence: How to Navigate an Unpredictable Industry
  • The Business of Character
  • Knowing Your Worth: How to Be a Freelance Entrepreneur
  • Assignment 11: Submit First Draft for Colleagues and Industry Feedback Professionals

Lesson 12: Capstone Project: Presenting Your Final Capstone Project, Portfolio, and Website

  • Inspiration: Careers as a Producer/Writer
  • Inspiration: Careers Writing for Visual Media
  • Inspiration: Careers as an Orchestrator/Arranger
  • Assignment 12: Submit Capstone Project, Portfolio, and Website

Requirements

Prerequisites and Course-Specific Requirements 

Prerequisite Courses, Knowledge, and/or Skills

Software

  • Full-featured Digital Audio Workstation (DAW), such as Pro Tools (Studio or Ultimate), Logic Pro, Cubase Pro, Ableton Live (Suite or Standard), Reaper, Reason, or FL Studio (Producer or Signature). Note that GarageBand is not acceptable.
  • Finale (full version) or Sibelius (Artist or Ultimate)
  • Recommended: Native Instruments Komplete

Hardware

  • MIDI controller
  • Audio interface
  • XLR condenser microphone and cable
  • XLR dynamic microphone and cable
  • One of the following studio monitoring options (both recommended):
    • Studio monitors (pair), such as JBL 305Ps or better, as well as necessary cables
    • Over-ear studio headphones, such as Sennheiser HD 600, Sony MDR-7506, Philips SHP9500, Audio-Technica ATH-M50x, etc.

Student Deals
After enrolling, be sure to check out our Student Deals page for various offers on software, hardware, and more. Please contact support@online.berklee.edu with any questions.

General Course Requirements

Below are the minimum requirements to access the course environment and participate in Live Classes. Please make sure to also check the Prerequisites and Course-Specific Requirements section above, and ensure your computer meets or exceeds the minimum system requirements for all software needed for your course. 

Mac Users

PC Users

All Users

  • Latest version of Google Chrome
  • Zoom meeting software
  • Webcam
  • Speakers or headphones
  • External or internal microphone
  • Broadband Internet connection

Instructors

Chrissy Tignor
Chrissy Tignor

Author

Chrissy Tignor is a producer, songwriter, recording engineer and vocalist with a super-synthy pop style fused with EDM and hip-hop influences. She is a full-time faculty member in the Contemporary Writing and Production department at Berklee College of Music, and has worked with the likes of Alex Clare, Gary Go, Bastille, Lauren Hashian, and Notting Hill Music. Her music has been synced on Discovery Channel and TLC, and she currently produces, writes and remixes under the pseudonym Data Child.

Questions?

Contact our Academic Advisors by phone at 1-866-BERKLEE (U.S.), 1-617-747-2146 (INT'L), or by email at advisors@online.berklee.edu.

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Available to Bachelor of Arts in Songwriting and Producing Music Degree Majors Only