core curriculum handout detail
SYLLABUS – LYRIC LAB HAND-OUT
TO ACCOMPANY THE: THE CRAFT LABS ASSIGNMENT
Lyric Lab Syllabus
The Lyric Lab is made up of seven units. Please follow the order of the units as listed on this syllabus as many of the topics build upon previous material. Most units have a video, a handout, a test, and an assignment. Some units have multiples of some of these, and some units have optional exercises.
Unit #0: Overview
Unit #1: Progressions
Unit #2: Prosody & Scansion
Unit #3: Scansion Subtleties
Unit #4: Rhyme
Unit #5: Formatting
Unit #6: Song Spotting
November 1 deadline: OVERVIEW & PROGRESSIONS
In the Overview Unit, you will be introduced to some of the goals of the Lyric Lab. There is also a short video about writing in a structure, and an introduction to the AABA song structure.
Handouts: Syllabus, Song Structure I, Song Structure 2 - Which Structure to Choose?, AABA Structure
Videos: Overview, Song Structure in Musical Theatre, AABA Structure
Tests: Overview of Structure Test, AABA Structure Test
Assignments: Overview Assignment, Song Structure Assignment
The Progressions Unit introduces the concept of progression in refrains. Specific progressions discussed are:
Problem/Solution
Viewpoint
Time Progression - Past/Present/Future
Time Progression - The Calendar or the Clock
Pronoun Progression
Geography Progression
Included is an extended session of optional examples, comparing structures in classic musicals to contemporary musicals.
Handouts: Progression, Progression Examples
Videos: Progressions, Progression Examples
Exercises: Progression Exercises
Tests: Progression Test
Assignment: Progression Assignment
December 1 deadline: PROSODY & SCANSION
This unit introduces you to the study of prosody, and the fundamentals of poetic scansion. Topics in this unit include:
Bad Prosody
Poetic Meter (v. Spoken Meter and Musical Meter)
Repairing Prosody
Vocabulary of Scansion
The Reason for Scansion
Scansion Techniques
Handouts: Prosody, Scansion
Videos: Prosody, Scansion, Terms You’ll Never Need to Know, Scansion Exercises
Exercises: Scansion Exercises
Tests: Prosody Test, Scansion Test
Assignments: Prosody Assignments 1, 2, and 3 (Prosody Assignment #4 is Optional); Scansion Assignment
January 1 deadline: SCANSION SUBTLETIES & RHYME
The Scansion Subtleties Unit covers some finer points of Scansion, including some problematic situations, with a look ahead at substitution and irregular meter. The video demonstrates scansion of some of the verses you will be scanning, and an explanation of some anomalies and how you might think about them.
Handouts: Scansion Subtleties
Videos: Scansion Subtleties
Tests: Scansion Subtleties Test
Assignment: Scansion Subtleties Assignment
The Rhyme Unit covers rhyme in musical theatre. Topics included in this unit include:
Single Rhyme
Double Rhyme
Triple Rhyme
Near Rhymes
Rhyme in Pop songs v. Musical Theatre songs
The Importance of Rhyme in Musical Theatre
Handouts: Rhyme, Marking Rhyme Schemes
Videos: Rhyme, Marking Rhyme Schemes, The Importance of Rhyme; Rhyme Exercises
Exercises: Rhyme Exercises
Tests: Rhyme Test 1, Rhyme Test 2
Assignments: Rhyme Assignment, Refrain Structure Review Assignment
February 1 deadline: FORMATTING
Preparing a manuscript for rehearsal/workshop, and the differences in the manuscripts sent to producers and theatres.
Formatting script and score for producers
The integrated script and score for rehearsals
Mechanics of preparing an integrated script and score
Handouts: Format Guidelines
Videos: Formatting Script and Score, Formatting Guidelines Annotations
Exercises: Formatting Exercises
Assignment: Formatting Assignment
March 1 deadline: SONG SPOTTING
This unit discusses the purpose of songs in musical theatre:
Exposition
Conflict
Action
Character Changes
One of the videos in this unit is dedicated solely to a discussion about songs whose purpose is some aspect of character:
Self-discovery
Decision-making
Resolve Conflict
Enflame Conflict
The unit includes with a brief discussion about songs which are not driven by story, and concludes with a wild song-spotting session with Scott.
Handouts: Song Spotting, Character Change, Spotting Checklist, Spotting Session
Videos: Song Spotting, Character Change, Songs Not Driven by Story, Spotting Checklist, A Spotting Session with Scott
Exercises: Spotting Exercises
Assignment” Spotting Assignment: In the final assignment, you are asked to spot songs possibilities for a play which doesn’t yet have songs.
NOTE: March 15th is the absolute last date you can turn in assignments; the Lyric Lab must be completed no later than March 15th in order for you to be considered as a lyricist for the 15 Minute Musicals.