CMUS 1104 JAZZ AND POP SONGWRITING (3 credit)

Prof. Peter Fraize Email: pfraize@gwu.edu

Office: 202-994-9046 Music Office: 202-994-6245
Fall 2023 M/W 4:45-6 p.m. Room: B-120

Course Description

CMUS 1104 will explore the connections between Blues, Jazz, and American popular song forms from the early
20th century to today. Students will learn about the harmonic functions, melodic devices, and compositional
structures and techniques common to early New Orleans jazz, Tin Pan Alley/Great American Songbook, Bebop,
Rock, Pop and Hip Hop through a series of guided composition assignments utilizing the harmonic, melodic and
compositional concepts as they are introduced. At the completion of the course, students will have produced a
“book” of up to nine original tunes in a format ready to be performed by others. Basic keyboard and traditional
music notation skills are recommended but not required. Compositions can be created on the student’s primary
instrument and notated by hand or with music notation software (Finale, Sibelius, MuseScore), or created using
SoundTrap, Garage Band or other Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) software.

Texts and materials

All course texts will be provided by the instructor in the form of electronic “handouts” and worksheets pertaining
to the various topics as they are introduced.

Students will provide their own manuscript paper, notation software and/or DAW software.

Expected Learning Outcomes

On completing this course students will understand and be able to incorporate the following concepts into their
songwriting:
• Diatonic harmony and basic functions/cadences in major and minor keys, pentatonic melodies.
• The Blues- song structure, melodic language and "riffs", its foundational role in all of American popular music.
• Song forms- Tin Pan Alley and Great American Songbook tunes and their typical forms: AABA, ABAC, etc.,
contemporary pop song structures.
• Secondary Dominant chords- establishing temporary key centers within songs, adding more chromaticism and
"color".
• Substitute chords- more use of chromaticism and a richer tonal palette.
• Modal Interchange- use of parallel major and minor keys in the same song.
• Modal composition- use of specific chord/scale sounds in composition without cadences.
• Four Chord Loops- and other contemporary pop songwriting techniques.
• Non-functional Harmony- Abandonment of typical "in-key" harmonic functions in favor of more chromatic or
"colorbased" writing.

Grading and assignments

There will be a total of nine individual composition assignments, one for each major topic covered. There
will be two quizzes and a final compilation project consisting of finalized versions of 3 tunes selected
from the composition assignments. Final grades will be determined by the following percentages:

• Composition assignments: 45%

• Quizzes (2): 20%
• Compilation: 30%
• Participation: 5% (completion of composition assignments on time)

CMUS 1104 Jazz and Pop Songwriting p. 2

Music Resources

• For questions about departmental requirements, majoring or minoring in Music, credit and curriculum issues,
schedule an appointment with a full-time Music faculty member, details on hours are on the bulletin board outside
theOffice, Phillips B-144. The earlier you seek guidance on a possible major or minor, the more likely the
requirements can be integrated with your other studies.
• General assistance: Music Program office staff can help with anything.
• Gelman Library has a small but high-quality collection of recordings on CD and DVD, as well as a representative
collection of scores – browse the stacks under the M call number. The Library also subscribes to a number of
streaming databases that include a wide range of genres and recordings: some of these aren’t even on Spotify!
Listening is a wonderful way to improve your aural skills.
• You are in the middle of a very artistic city. The department office sends emails with performance
announcements to the student listserv; student discounts are frequently available. Check the bulletin boards and
office doors throughout the department for concert announcements. Most Smithsonian museums offer concert
series, as does the Library of Congress.
• All communication from your performance instructor and the music department is through your GW email
account. Please plan on checking this account regularly and responding promptly.

University Policies

Use of Electronic Course Materials and Class Recordings Students are encouraged to use electronic course
materials, including recorded class sessions, for private personal use in connection with their academic program of
study. Electronic course materials and recorded class sessions should not be shared or used for non-course related
purposes unless express permission has been granted by the instructor. Students who impermissibly share any
electronic course materials are subject to discipline under the Student Code of Conduct. Please contact the
instructor if you have questions regarding what constitutes permissible or impermissible use of electronic course
materials and/or recorded class sessions. Please contact Disability Support Services at disabilitysupport.gwu.edu if
you have questions or need assistance in accessing electronic course materials.

University policy on observance of religious holidays Students must notify faculty during the first week of the
semester in which they are enrolled in the course, or as early as possible, but no later than three weeks prior to
the absence, of their intention to be absent from class on their day(s) of religious observance. If the holiday falls
within the first three weeks of class, the student must inform faculty in the first week of the semester. For details
and policy, see “Religious Holidays” at provost.gwu.edu/policies-procedures-and-guidelines.

Academic Integrity Code Academic Integrity is an integral part of the educational process, and GW takes these
matters very seriously. Violations of academic integrity occur when students fail to cite research sources properly,
engage in unauthorized collaboration, falsify data, and in other ways outlined in the Code of Academic Integrity.
Students accused of academic integrity violations should contact the Office of Academic Integrity to learn more
about their rights and options in the process. Outcomes can range from failure of assignment to expulsion from the
University, including a transcript notation. The Office of Academic Integrity maintains a permanent record of the
violation. More information is available from the Office of Academic Integrity at
studentconduct.gwu.edu/academic-integrity. The University’s “Guide of Academic Integrity in Online Learning
Environments” is available at studentconduct.gwu.edu/guide-academic-integrity-online-learning-environments.
Contact information: rights@gwu.edu or 202-994-6757.

ACADEMIC SUPPORT
Writing Center GW’s Writing Center cultivates confident writers in the University community by facilitating
collaborative, critical, and inclusive conversations at all stages of the writing process. Working alongside peer
mentors, writers develop strategies to write independently in academic and public settings. Appointments can be
booked online at gwu.mywconline.

CMUS 1104 Jazz and Pop Songwriting p. 3

Academic Commons Academic Commons provides tutoring and other academic support resources to students in
many courses. Students can schedule virtual one-on-one appointments or attend virtual drop-in sessions. Students
may schedule an appointment, review the tutoring schedule, access other academic support resources, or obtain
assistance at academiccommons.gwu.edu.

SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM

Disability Support Services (DSS) 202-994-8250 Any student who may need an accommodation based on the
potential impact of a disability should contact Disability Support Services at disabilitysupport.gwu.edu to establish
eligibility and to coordinate reasonable accommodations.

Counseling and Psychological Services 202-994-5300 GW’s Colonial Health Center offers counseling and
psychological services, supporting mental health and personal development by collaborating directly with students
to overcome challenges and difficulties that may interfere with academic, emotional, and personal success.
healthcenter.gwu.edu/counseling-andpsychological-services.

Safety and Security

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• Stay informed: safety.gwu.edu/stay-informed