Assessment Criteria – Popular Songwriting Debut Level

DISTINCTION

MERIT

PASS

BELOW PASS

Use of contrasting styles, keys and tempo

  • Proficient, skilful and appropriate use of contrasting styles, keys and tempo
  • Masterly application and selection of style, key and tempo
Use of contrasting styles, keys and tempo

  • Mostly proficient use of contrasting styles, key selection and tempo
  • Mostly an effective application and selection of style, key and tempo

 

Use of contrasting styles, keys and tempo

  • Use of contrasting styles, keys and tempo
  • Mostly proficient use of contrasting styles, key selection and tempo
  • Mostly an effective application and selection of style, key and tempo
Use of contrasting styles, keys and tempo

  • Lack of contrasts between styles
  • Poor key selection
  • Inappropriate for performing vocalists range
  • Very little evidence of effective use of styles, key and tempo varieties

Hook

  • Highly engaging effective use of both musical and lyrical hooks
  • Memorable, attention gripping hooks
  • Natural, seamless and integral hooks
  • High level of originality and creativity
Hook

  • Mostly engaging effective use of musical and lyrical hooks
  • Some attention to memorable gripping hooks
  • Good level of originality and creativity
Hook

  • Little evidence of effective musical and lyrical hooks
  • Limited attention to memorable gripping hooks
  • Some originality and creativity shown

Hook

  • Very little or no evidence of musical or lyrical hooks
  • Only one type of hook used
  • No attention to gripping memorable hooks
  • No originality or creativity shown
Effective lyrics

  • High level of originality
  • High level of creativity
  • Lyrics complement and promote instrumental flow
  • Lyrics and musical totally complementary

Effective lyrics

  • Originality and creativity
  • Lyrics complement instrumental flow
  • Lyrics and music complementary

Effective lyrics

  • Sense of originality
  • Reasonable attempt at being creative
  • Lyrics complement instrumental flow
Effective lyrics

  • Very little or no originality
  • Little evidence of creativity
  • Lyrics hinder and detract from instrumental flow

 

Form

  • Song composed with high levels of attention to form and structure
  • Evidence of form giving a sense of familiarity
  • Use of a strong structural format
Form 

  • Use of effective structural form with modulation
  • Proficient use of musical form
  • Moderately creative use of form and modulation
  • Good structural form
Form 

  • Acceptable use of structural format
  • Some evidence of form
  • Evidence of structural format
Form 

  • Lack of form
  • No evidence of form
  • Use of a single structure

Discussion of composition

  • Able to discuss in depth
  • Correct use of technical terms
  • A thorough demonstration of the principles of Popular Songwriting
Discussion of composition

  • Moderate depth of knowledge
  • Some use of technical terms
  • Good demonstration of the principles of popular Songwriting
Discussion of composition

  • Basic knowledge of Popular Songwriting techniques
  • Limited use of technical terms
  • Superficial depth of discussion
Discussion of composition

  • Unable to discuss any aspects of Popular Songwriting techniques
  • No discussion
  • Incorrect knowledge and terminology