Matt, I noticed, straight away, that the songwriting course does not require a knowledge of music theory nor the ability to play an instrument. It merely builds upon whatever knowledge or understanding we each may have. I don't look upon it as a "credential" by any stretch. Being cyber elbow to elbow with young musical talent can't hurt. In intellectual circles its called "networking".

Addendum: I've been following the BS/M students on YT. Some awesome talent and some obviously not-so-talented but witnessing the evolution of music is extremely enlightening to this tired ole Irishman.

Here is their acknowledgement letter that you should receive after signing up. It promises nothing which is exactly what the cost of admission is. You must often make your own opportunities.

Quote:

Dear Don Gaynor,

Thank you for signing up for Songwriting. I’m really excited that you have decided to take the first step toward learning the craft of songwriting!

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. You’ll learn to use your tools to enhance your message—to work compositionally at the same time you’re developing your ideas.

You’ll be working both lyrically and musically, though musically it’s not necessary that you either read music or play an instrument. If you play, great, and you’ll be encouraged to play and record your musical responses to the assignments. If you don’t play, the course offers you a number of musical loops to work with. All you’ll have to do is sing your melodies over the loops.

Most days you’ll post something for peer review in response to the assignments. Sometimes lyric lines or sections, sometimes melodies, sometimes both. None of it has to be polished. The course is about writing, not performing.

Most important, you’ll have a lot of fun.

I'll write again when the course begins.

Best regards,
Pat Pattison
Coursera and Berkleemusic.com instructor




If it was an unknown school or source, I would be extremely suspicious.

Last edited by Don Gaynor; 12/08/12 12:31 PM.