Composition Fundamentals

Learning Outcomes

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
• create a coherent score using notation software
• compose with a range of scales and modes
• compose and harmonise a melody
• create chord sequences and control harmonic voicings

Knowledge and Understanding

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

• melodic designs and their implied harmonies
• a range of musical forms
• melodic construction
• modal composition and minimalist composition techniques
• 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

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

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

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

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.