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Unit of Study MUS71007 - Specialist Studies I (2017)

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Unit Snapshot

  • Enrolment information

    Audition Requirements A minimum 80% attendance record for all scheduled classes is normally required to qualify for a passing grade.

  • Enrolment restriction

    This unit is only available to students undertaking the Specialist Studies units. Enrolment in this unit requires Course Co-ordinator and Unit Assessor approval.

Unit description

Develops introductory technical and analytical skills in performance and/or songwriting through the critique of practice, melodic, harmonic and rhythmic elements, repertoire and the application of performance and stagecraft techniques. Students receive one-to-one tuition and participate in weekly group performance and production workshops.

Unit content

Topic 1: Studio specific technique overview including, instrumental role and function, WHS and and the importance of transcribing. Focus on establishing and documenting a practice routine and songwriting routine.

Topic 2: Studio specific technical exercises to establish practice routines accompanied by critical thinking and planning to identify weaknesses and strengths.

Topic 3: Studio specific application of technical exercises, nine week plan, approaches to chart reading, writing and transcribing and rehearsal strategies.

Topic 4: Introduction to repertoire (e.g. 12 bar blues, quick to the four, minor blues and blues turnarounds) Harmony – functions of the dominant 7th and 6/9 chords.

Topic 5: Scale syllabus (revision of harmonic minor, major and minor modes). Rhythm - 8th and 16th note syncopation.

Topic 6: Repertoire research, analysis and development – transposition, impact of rearranging and exam preparation.

Topic 7: Harmonic progressions and guide tones. Syncopated grooves and rhythmic elements for independence.

Topic 8: Scale syllabus (melodic minor and derivatives). Dynamics and rhythmic focus 8th and 16th note syncopation.

Topic 9: Approaches to introductory improvisation concepts (cyclic and harmonic progressions, scale and rhythmic applications)

Topic 10: Extension to scale syllabus (Lydian, Dorian, Mixolydian, Pentatonic and Blues scales - application to improvisation)

Topic 11: Continuation of approaches to improvisation (cyclic and harmonic progressions, creative scale application, rhythmic applications)

Topic 12: Studio specific roles and responsibilities in live performance or songwriter/arranger.

Topic 13: Exam preparation, introductory stagecraft, stageplan responsibilities and ensemble leadership skills.

Availabilities

Location Domestic International
Lismore Session 1 Session 1

Learning outcomes and graduate attributes

Unit Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a unit. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes. The unit learning outcomes and graduate attributes are also the basis of evaluating prior learning.

On completion of this unit, students should be able to:

GA1: Intellectual rigour, GA2: Creativity, GA3: Ethical practice, GA4: Knowledge of a discipline, GA5: Lifelong learning, GA6: Communication and social skills, GA7: Cultural competence
Learning outcome count Learning outcome description GA1 GA2 GA3 GA4 GA5 GA6 GA7
1 demonstrate introductory-level instrumental, songwriting or vocal techniques appropriate to selected genres
2 demonstrate the application of introductory-level instrumental. songwriting or vocal techniques to the performance of selected genre-based repertoire
3 demonstrate an understanding of introductory-level theory and charting writing
4 demonstrate the application of theory to performance, songwriting and studio practice with introductory-level musicianship skills
5 present work in the form of concerts, compositions, recordings or other approved media.

On completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. demonstrate introductory-level instrumental, songwriting or vocal techniques appropriate to selected genres
    • GA4:
    • GA6:
  2. demonstrate the application of introductory-level instrumental. songwriting or vocal techniques to the performance of selected genre-based repertoire
    • GA5:
  3. demonstrate an understanding of introductory-level theory and charting writing
    • GA5:
  4. demonstrate the application of theory to performance, songwriting and studio practice with introductory-level musicianship skills
    • GA4:
  5. present work in the form of concerts, compositions, recordings or other approved media.
    • GA4:
    • GA5:
    • GA6:

Teaching and assessment

Teaching method
Tutorial on-site 30mins/weekly
Workshop on-site 1 hour/weekly
Practical session 2 hours/weekly ((12 weeks))
Assessment
Performance and Production Workshop / attend and perform 20%
Progressive Assessment 30%
Transcription 20%
Performance 30%

Prescribed learning resources

Prescribed Texts
  • No prescribed texts.

Prescribed Learning Resources may change in future Teaching Periods.