Module overview
Aims and Objectives
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge and Understanding
Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
- a range of musical forms
- melodic designs and their implied harmonies
- modal composition and minimalist composition techniques
- melodic construction
- 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 Practical Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- compose with a range of scales and modes
- create chord sequences and control harmonic voicings
- compose pieces of music in small forms in a range of different compositional styles
- compose and harmonise a melody
- create a coherent score using notation software
Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- 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
- engage with a range of different ways of understanding harmony
Transferable and Generic Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- develop critical reflection skills
- respond to a clear brief
- work independently on a creative project
Syllabus
Learning and Teaching
Teaching and learning methods
Type | Hours |
---|---|
Lecture | 18 |
Completion of assessment task | 108 |
Follow-up work | 9 |
Practical classes and workshops | 4 |
Preparation for scheduled sessions | 9 |
Tutorial | 2 |
Total study time | 150 |
Resources & Reading list
General Resources
Olivier Messiaen: Quartet for the End of Time. Musical works
Joni Mitchell: Both Sides Now. Musical works
Steve Reich: Different Trains / Piano Phase / Vermont Counterpoint. Musical works
Sonny Rollins: Tenor Madness. Musical works
John Williams: Star Wars / Harry Potter. Musical works
Benjamin Britten: Sea Interludes. Musical works
Duke Ellington: Things Ain’t What They Used To Be / Night Train. Musical works
Debussy: Voiles. Musical works
Sting: Ten Summoner’s Tales. Musical works
Arvo Part: Tabula Rasa. Musical works
Textbooks
Stephen Citron. Songwriting: A Complete Guide to the Craft.
Walter Piston. Harmony.
Mark Levine (1995). The Jazz Theory Book. Sher Music.
The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians (for musical terminology).
Anna Butterworth. Harmony in Practice. Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music.
Olivier Messiaen (1956). The Technique of My Musical Language. A. Leduc.
Assessment
Summative
This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.
Method | Percentage contribution |
---|---|
Writing and harmonising a theme | 50% |
Free modal composition | 50% |
Referral
This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.
Method | Percentage contribution |
---|---|
Writing and harmonising a theme | 50% |
Free modal composition | 50% |
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.
Method | Percentage contribution |
---|---|
Writing and harmonising a theme | 50% |
Free modal composition | 50% |
Repeat Information
Repeat type: Internal & External