Become A Songwriter!

Introduction

Have you ever thought about what goes on behind your favorite song? The artist who sings that song may not be the same person who wrote the lyrics, melody, or even the theme! In fact, most songs have several people writing and performing them.

I absolutely love music and spend a lot of my free time writing song lyrics. It is almost exactly like writing a poem, but it has a beat to it. Today, I will place you in groups and you are going to use WebQuest in order to learn how to write a song.

Then, when you are done writing your own song, you are going to perform it for the whole class! You are going to use your English grammar and writing skills in order to write this song, and then you will use your Music harmony and rhythm skills in order to sing it! I will walk you through how to use the WebQuest and if you guys are lucky and we have enough time, I will even perform I song that I wrote!

Task

You will learn how to write and perform a song!

In groups of 5 or 6, you will choose a genre and write lyrics for a song based on that genre. You should use some form of English language writing skills (ie: rhyming, syntax, etc) to write the song. You will use music videos and a tutorial in order to learn how to write your song. After you are done writing the song, you will perform it for the class!

Process

1. GET SOME INSPIRATION!

Listen to these videos for songs in different genres. I have a large selection and variety of videos so that you can see that sometimes artists and songs that sound nothing alike can be placed in the same music genre (like Michael Jackson and Rihanna!). Do not watch every single video, it would take far too long. However, please watch at least four videos, all from a different genre. You may watch more videos if you are very interested in each genre, but do not spend more than 40 minutes watching these videos.

Keep an open mind!! Just because you do not like a song in a genre, does not mean you cannot write a great song from that genre. Also, just because you do not like a genre or artist, does not mean you can automatically cross it off the list. Who knows, maybe you’ll enjoy a genre, song, or artist that you never expected!!

Acoustic/Country:

R&B/Soul:

Hip Hop/Rap:

Rock (Punk, Classic, Light):

Pop:

Techno/Dubstep/Reggae:

Note: During the videos, pay attention to lyricism, rhymes, alliteration, or anything else you think pertains to the song you might want to write. Search the lyrics of the songs if needed. Please note that the videos of live performances may have different lyrics than the original songs.

Absolutely no derogatory words or profanities may be used. If a song had profanities, I chose the clean version only. Do NOT use curse words or put people down in your lyrics.

2. CHOOSE A GENRE!

Look at these tips on how to write a song:
http://www.wikihow.com/Write-a-Song

3. WRITE THE LYRICS!

Write the lyrics to your song using what you learned from the music videos and tutorial.

Once again, absolutely no derogatory words or profanities may be used. If a song had profanities, I chose the clean version only. Do NOT use curse words or put people down in your lyrics.

Give the song a melody/beat/rhythm. This usually happens while writing the lyrics and since you will be singing this A Capella, without music in the background, it is acceptable to have someone in the group create a melody or beat during the performance.

Make sure your song has at least the following elements:
Intro, Verse 1, Chorus, Verse 2, Bridge or Extro

5. PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT!

Practice singing the song- each person in the group should sing at least one part. If you have too many people in your group, you must find a way to involve them in the presentation! (This is where you can get creative! Have someone in the group act out the lyrics as the song is being sung or have some beat box in the background!)

We will spend about 3-4 weeks on this project and then when you are done, you will perform it for the class.

I may or may not video tape you for fun!
(Don't worry, it will only be viewed by our class.)

Evaluation

Your work will be evaluated on both a group and individual level. Most of the criteria will be evaluated at the group level; however, I will evaluate each individual student using this rubric.

	Beginning 1	Developing 2	Qualified 3	Exemplary 4
Writing Skills	Little to no writing skills/ writing style used or writing skills are used incorrectly	Moderate to low usage of writing skills/ writing style	Usage of writing skills/ writing style within the lyrics, but skills are not mastered	Clear and mastered usage of writing skills and/or a writing style within the lyrics (ie: rhyming, syntax, alliteration, etc)
Musical Skills	No clear sign of any musical skills used or skills are used incorrectly	Moderate to low usage of musical skills	Usage of musical skills within the song, but skills are not mastered	Clear and mastered sign of musical skills used in the song (ie: harmony, rhythm, etc)
Performance/ Presentation	No sign of preparation for presentation; Lacking effort; Not enjoyable performance	Moderate to low sign of preparation and/or effort for the presentation; Slightly enjoyable performance	Clear sign of preparation and/or effort for the presentation; Enjoyable performance	Clear and mastered sign of preparation and/or effort for the presentation; Very enjoyable performance
Group Participation	Little to no effort and participation from every member; Group did not work together well; Tasks were not divided equally	Some group effort and participation; Group may have worked together well but it is unclear; Tasks seem to be divided equally	Group effort is clearly shown; Group gets along and works together well; tasks were divided equally	Group effort is clear and mastered; Group definitely gets along and works together very well; Tasks were divided equally
Song	Does not use new knowledge to write the song; Song does not meet formatting guidelines; Many spelling and grammar errors	Uses some new knowledge to write the song; Song meets some formatting guidelines; Some spelling and grammar errors	Uses new knowledge to write the song; Song meets all formatting guidelines; Hardly any spelling and grammar errors	Clearly uses new knowledge to write the song; Song meets all formatting guidelines correctly; Little to no spelling and grammar errors
Individual Work	Did not perform individual tasks; Did not contribute to the group's success	Performed most of the individual tasks; Played a small role in the success of the group	Performed all of the individual tasks; Played a big role in the success of the group as a whole	Performed all of the individual tasks; Greatly contributed to the success of the group as a whole
Overall	Does not include any of the required research in project; Lacks clarity and creativity; Shows no effort from the group	Includes some of the required research in project; Has some clarity and creativity Shows effort from some of the group	Includes most of the required research within the project; Has clarity and creativity; Shows effort from a majority of the group	Includes all of the required research within the project; Has much clarity and creativity; Shows effort from every member in the group

Conclusion

You are all done!! You are now ready to become amazing songwriters who are going to take over the music industry!

All kidding aside, you have completed this WebQuest and can hopefully take the information you have learned and use it in your lives. Writing a poem or a song is a great way to express yourself in a different and fun way.

And who knows…maybe one of you really will become music artists someday!