Pop Songwriting: From Contemporary to Commercial

Week 1-3: “My Songs Were Written With Me in Mind” – Bob Dylan

In weeks 1-3 we will study songwriting techniques and analyse case studies on contemporary artists to gain a full understanding of different contemporary songwriting styles: from narrative, to conversational, personal and poetic. Each week you will be given a writing brief to respond to, with time at the end of each class to present work and gain feedback. During weeks 1-3 we will be joined by a guest contemporary songwriter to share their experiences and offer feedback.

Week 4-6: Is the Audience Always Right?

In weeks 4-6 we will study commercial songwriting and writing for sync/publishing. We will analyse case studies on commercial writers to gain a full understanding of commercial writing styles, and seek to understand the relationship between commercial music and audiences. During weeks 4-6 we will be joined by a guest songwriter/producer to share their experiences and offer feedback.

Week 7: The final class will be a reflective class based on participants experiences. By week 5 the content of this class will have been decided by class participants (such as focusing on a particular area of interest/genre/style etc). There will be opportunities throughout the programme to discuss and debate the content of week 7 allowing participants to expand on their existing knowledge and skills developed throughout the course.

This course is open for applications from anyone aged 16+ with an interest in writing for the following genres: pop, singer-songwriter, alt/indie, rock.

You will need access to a device such as a desktop computer, laptop or tablet which allows you to access the internet with a screen large enough to see the group members during online sessions.

You will need internet connection which is fast enough to take part in live teaching sessions.

You may also want to consider whether you have a space you can use where you can work without interruption. Please keep in mind that the other students taking part in the course will be able to see what is behind you when you are online.

If you have any questions in advance of booking, please contact us at shortcourses@rcs.ac.uk

Jo Sillars

I am a well-known industry member in the Scottish music scene: currently on Young Women’s Movement’s 30 Under 30 (2024), presented a key-note for the Scottish Music Industry Association summit (2024) and I am an activist with the group Popgirlz Scotland. As a pop artist I have been a BBC Introducing Track of the Week Artist and have been supported by BBC Radio Scotland, BBC Radio 1 and more. I have performed nationally and internationally, and worked as a writer at camps for commercial songwriting. I am also a session player working with Declan Welsh and the Decedent West, The Girobabies and Rubber Rose.

For this course I will invite two guests: Declan Welsh (for contemporary songwriting) and Georgia Meek (producer/songwriter for commercial writing).

This class takes place on online on Monday evenings from 6pm – 8pm, 14 April to 26 May 2025.

The course fee is £170 and can be paid in full or in instalments before the course end date.