Composition Fundamentals

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge and Understanding

Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

• melodic designs and their implied harmonies
• compositional and analytical approaches in a range of musical idioms including but not limited to jazz and blues, common practice tonal procedures (including music for screen) and modal contemporary composition
• melodic construction
• a range of musical forms
• modal composition and minimalist composition techniques

Subject Specific Practical Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• compose pieces of music in small forms in a range of different compositional styles
• compose and harmonise a melody
• create chord sequences and control harmonic voicings
• compose with a range of scales and modes
• create a coherent score using notation software

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• respond to a clear brief
• develop critical reflection skills
• work independently on a creative project

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• engage with a range of different ways of understanding harmony
• analyse a range of compositional works and recognise a variety of music forms
• analyse harmonic progressions using a variety of different notation methods including Roman numeral notations and jazz/pop chord symbols

The following topics will be covered (indicative list):

• Melodic construction
• Major and minor modes
• Common Practice Harmonic techniques
• Basic and more complex formal designs
• Jazz/Pop Chord Terminology and Voicings
• Minimalist composition techniques
• Contemporary modal approaches to composition
• A variety of rhythmic techniques and approaches to musical texture that relate to the breadth of compositional practices explored
• Notation skills

Teaching and learning methods

Average of two hours teaching time each week through a combination of lectures, workshops and group tutorials. General pattern of one lecture each week but the teaching method changes according to the topic being covered and the stage in the module. Lectures introduce topics, practical classes consider topics further and group tutorials support the development of assignments.

Resources & Reading list

General Resources

John Williams: Star Wars / Harry Potter. Musical works

Sonny Rollins: Tenor Madness. Musical works

Joni Mitchell: Both Sides Now. Musical works

Arvo Part: Tabula Rasa. Musical works

Olivier Messiaen: Quartet for the End of Time. Musical works

Duke Ellington: Things Ain’t What They Used To Be / Night Train. Musical works

Benjamin Britten: Sea Interludes. Musical works

Debussy: Voiles. Musical works

Sting: Ten Summoner’s Tales. Musical works

Steve Reich: Different Trains / Piano Phase / Vermont Counterpoint. Musical works

Textbooks

Mark Levine (1995). The Jazz Theory Book. Sher Music.

The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians (for musical terminology).

Olivier Messiaen (1956). The Technique of My Musical Language. A. Leduc.

Walter Piston. Harmony.

Stephen Citron. Songwriting: A Complete Guide to the Craft.

Anna Butterworth. Harmony in Practice. Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music.

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.

Repeat

An internal repeat is where you take all of your modules again, including any you passed. An external repeat is where you only re-take the modules you failed.

Repeat Information

Repeat type: Internal & External