MUS 280: Creative Technique 1

ANCESTRAL STORY SONG

MUS 280: Creative Practice in Popular Music 3
See CANVAS MUS 280 for all assignment due dates

OVERVIEW & PURPOSE

To assist you to compose a song for Module 1, this CT is designed to assist you to, (i)
research and choose a significant family story, and (ii), reflect on how to best to portray
your story in a song.

CHOOSING A FAMILY STORY

Research your family origins. Talk to your parents, uncles and aunties. Look at old family
photographs. Ring up and talk to your relatives. Investigate family stories of your
grandparent’s experiences, their brothers or sisters or their parents or even further back
in time - the experiences of distant ancestors. Consider writing some of your lyrics in the
language of your forebears. Consider conjuring up images that depict the physical
features of the land or sea that relate to your forebears.

ASSIGNMENT—WHAT TO HAND IN

At the top of a word document, write the nameof the assignment and your name. Then
under the following headings, for example, PART 1: A Names, write your responses and
descriptions.

PART 1: THE FAMILY STORY

A: Names

List the names of the characters/ancestors in the story and describe your relationship to
them, for example, grandmother, great uncle.

B: When

The year that the events of the story took place. Make an approximate guess if you are

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not sure of the year/time.

C: Description of the place(s)

Describe (i) the place that the story took place in—the country and area/city, (ii) the
distinguishing features of this place, and (iii) the dramatic setting of the story, for
example, the social and/or cultural setting.

D: Tell the story Tell the story in your own words — write at least 100 words.

E: Why did you choose this story

Reflect and describe why you choose this family story—why you personally relate to this
story or why you identify with it in some way — write at least 100 words.

F: Family pictures of people and /or places.

Include pictures or photographs of your family or the place where the story takes place
etc to help us understand and relate to your family story.

PART 2: WHAT STYLE OF SONG ARE YOU IMAGINING

Next, consider and decide what sort of song you think will best suit your story. For
example, what would be best musical style, arrangement, tempo, type of vocal delivery,
instrumentation etc, and ask yourself questions such as would a slow reflective song or a
confronting dramatic song best suit the story?

A: What style of song are you imagining?

Describe in detail what sort of song you are thinking of writing to tell your story.
Describe at least 100 words.

B: Identify a song that exemplifies the style of song you are imagining

Choose a song written by the another songwriter that would best suit the family story
you have chosen, think things like, the musical style, the style of lyrics, the arrangement,
the vocal delivery, the instrumentation etc.

Name the song and include an online link to a recording or music video of this song.

Note: You can change the above plan—the Draft, Demo or Final can be different from the
exemplar.

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ASSIGNMENT SUBMISSION

1. Submit a single PDF.

2. Include your answers to Part 1 and Part 2. Use the headings!
3. Include pictures or photographs of your family or the place where the story takes
place etc to help us understand and relate to your family story.

UPLOADING THIS ASSIGNMENT TO THE SONG MAP

Upload an active link (or screenshot) of your written CT Assignment Sheet to the Module
1 SONG MAP.

LATE SUBMISSION
If the Creative Technique is submitted late, 20% will automatically be deducted from the
Module assignment’s final assignment grade.

EXTENSIONS
Students must apply for an extension BEFORE the due date and time of either the Draft
Song or the Final Song. Late applications for an extension will not be granted. Students
may be asked to provide a Medical Certificate confirming they have been unwell and
unable to work on the assignment.