CUSMCP02A: Compose a simple song or tune

This unit covers the development of technical and expressive skills to foster innovative expression in song or tune writing. It also deals with setting down the song or tune to permit future performance.   Achievement of the knowledge and skills for this unit of competency would generally require undertaking tuition in music writing.

Determine the artistic purpose of the song/tune and use appropriate songwriting tools

• Identify the outcomes of the song/tune to reflect, where required, an understanding of:
  • audience and market requirements
  • commercial viability
• Research texts and other sources of lyrics or other musical elements as required to develop the song/tune
• Where writing own lyrics use resources as required to develop the lyrics

Select or write the lyrics for a song

• Ensure that content and scan of lyrics are appropriate to the musical context or style of the song
• Use lyrics that are appropriate to the title of the song
• Ensure that the structure of the lyrics is suited to the style and context of the song, its melody line and the accompaniment as required
• Match points of unity, or repetition, and points of contrast in the lyrics with the musical sections
• Define verse and chorus sections through the lyrics where appropriate
• Where writing own lyrics, use literary devices and word associations effectively to convey the meaning of the song
   

Compose a melody to express the lyrics of a song

• Use appropriate harmonic/chord or sequences in the melody to promote the meaning and style/mood of the lyrics
• Align starting points, climaxes and cadence points of the melody with the lyrics
• Make the melody rhythmically coherent
• Make rhythm patterns appropriate to the style/mood of the piece
• Use melodic techniques that enhance the expression of concepts in the lyrics
• Match the level of difficulty and register of the melody with available performers and characteristics of the genre/style as and where required
   

Set down the song

• Use notation and/or recorded means to set down the song so that it can be interpreted or rendered by performers
• Set down the song in a format that reflects performance practice and custom of the style
• Include all expression marks and instructions as required for performance