University of California, Santa Cruz

Songwriting Craft and Practice: Voice, Text & Performance

University of California, Santa Cruz

Songwriting Craft and Practice: Voice, Text & Performance

This course is part of Songwriting Craft and Practice Specialization

Alexander Wand

Instructor: Alexander Wand

Included with Coursera PlusLearn more

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
Beginner level

Recommended experience

1 week to complete
at 10 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace
Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
Beginner level

Recommended experience

1 week to complete
at 10 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace

What you'll learn

  • Arrange multi-part vocal harmonies using lead, background, parallel, and contrary motion techniques.

  • Integrate text-setting methods, such as word painting and vocal inflection, to heighten emotional meaning.

  • Analyze professional song craft critically and perform a fully realized original song for a final showcase.

Details to know

Shareable certificate

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Recently updated!

October 2026

Taught in English

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Build your subject-matter expertise

This course is part of the Songwriting Craft and Practice Specialization
When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.
  • Learn new concepts from industry experts
  • Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
  • Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
  • Earn a shareable career certificate

There are 2 modules in this course

Your voice, and voices plural. We'll arrange vocals: stacking harmonies, parallel and contrary motion, deciding what background vocal parts are for and how much room they leave the lead. Then setting text, using vocal inflection, spoken word, and word painting to bring out what a lyric is doing. By the end, you'll be able to arrange multi-part vocals and set text so that the music says something about the words it carries.

What's included

2 videos7 readings2 peer reviews2 discussion prompts10 plugins

In this final module, you'll pull together everything from the course. For your song analysis project, you'll choose one song by a songwriter you love and break down what makes it compelling to you. Then comes the Final Concert. You'll make a video (live performance or music video) of an original song written during the course. It's a chance to celebrate your songwriting, share your music with peers, and cap off the course with a finished work you're excited about.

What's included

2 peer reviews3 plugins

Earn a career certificate

Add this credential to your LinkedIn profile, resume, or CV. Share it on social media and in your performance review.

Instructor

Alexander Wand
University of California, Santa Cruz
1 Course2 learners

Offered by

University of California, Santa Cruz

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