Sound Recording

Sound Recording Level: 1 Credit Value: 20 ACADEMIC CONTENT AND DELIVERY

Module Code: ACE1866

This is a practical introduction to the techniques of sound recording. Knowledge of the techniques of sound recording is becoming increasingly valuable to musicians wishing to represent their work in a variety of settings, including live, studio and web-based presentations. This module will promote an understanding and appreciation of the principles, facilities and practices of recording multi-source live sound and translating it into a recorded stereo image. Students will be given the opportunity to apply their own ideas to the recording process and will be taught techniques and practices require by the modern audio industry.

Aims: This module aims to • Introduce students to the basic principles of recording multi-source live sound. • Equip students with knowledge and understanding of the techniques necessary to translate recorded sound into a recorded stereo image. • Introduce students to the process by which they may apply their own ideas to the recording process. • Introduce students to current practices within the audio industry.

Learning Outcomes: By the end of the module, a candidate will be able to demonstrate the ability to: • Use basic sound equipment in order to record live source material. • Use appropriate software to produce an edited recording. • Produce a fully edited recording onto compact disc. • Describe a range of recording processes and techniques currently used within a professional recording environment.

Assessment: 25% Coursework 75% Project

Key Reading:

Students who are already registered with TILL and who have a valid UCard can access full reading lists for modules before they begin. They do so either via MUSE, under the "Library" tab, and "View Library resource lists"; or via the "How can I find my reading lists?" link on http://www.shef.ac.uk/library/services/taught.html

Music in Theory and Practice Level: 1

Credit Value: 20


Advisable skills: Grade 5 music theory. This module aims to provide foundation skills in musicianship (including rhythm training, improvisation, performance and aural discrimination), as well as providing an introduction to musical and stylistic analysis. Students will experience both workshop style tuition in skills such as improvisation and seminar sessions in examining music in close detail. As such the course is designed to permit students the opportunity to develop both practical skills and academic skills common to the study of music at degree level.

Aims: This module aims to • Provide musicianship training in the areas of rhythm, improvisation, performance and aural discrimination. • Introduce students to the techniques of musical analysis associated with both classical and popular music. • Encourage students to develop critical responses to music.

Learning Outcomes: By the end of the module, a candidate will be able to demonstrate • An ability to recognise rhythmic, melodic and harmonic patterns by ear • An ability to perform a short improvised solo. • A knowledge of the techniques of musical analysis. • An ability to identify a range of technical and stylistic features of a given piece of music.

Assessment: Formal Exam (weighted 60%) Two written analyses (weighted 20% each).

Key Reading: Author Cook, N

Date 1998

Publisher OUP

Place Oxford

Poultney, D Lynn, T

Title A short Introduction to music Studying Music History Introductory Musicianship

1995 2002

New jersey New York

Harrison, M Benward, B

Contemporary ear-training Music in theory and practice

2002 1997

Prentice Hall Thomson Learning Omnibus press McGraw Hill

London New York


Short Film Production Level: 1

Credit Value: 20


ACADEMIC CONTENT AND DELIVERY Due to advances in digital video and editing technology, the opportunities and potential for film production is becoming increasingly more accessible. This module is designed to reflect this enhanced accessibility, enabling students to explore and utilise a variety of video and film production methods. The emphasis of this module is to explore conventional/classical production methods and principles which will provide a fundamental technical and creative platform for students wanting to explore the idiom of the short film.

Aims: This module aims to  Generate knowledge and understanding of the ways in which digital video, film and television performance is constructed.  Enable students to explore, evaluate and utilise the techniques and principles of film production.  Introduce students to the techniques of screenwriting.  Equip students with the necessary skills and technical knowledge to produce a short film.

Learning Outcomes: By the end of the module, a candidate will be able to demonstrate the ability to  Describe the techniques of performance as applied to a range of contemporary visual media.  Produce a short film, including an ability to plan, manage and complete the project within a specific time-frame, coordinating both the technical and performance aspects required by the nature of the film.  Produce a short screenplay suitable for production as a short film.

Assessment: 25% Coursework 75% Project

Key Reading:


Musical Composition Level: 1

Credit Value: 20


This module is a comprehensive introduction to the creative and musical techniques involved in song writing. The aim of the course is to stimulate and encourage students to work towards finding their own individual style in all aspects of song writing and to explore the dynamics of the creative process. Students will be required to examine critically a wide range of song writing styles including contemporary popular song, folk music, art song and songs from the great American songbook. We will examine the techniques of melody writing, harmony, arrangement, accompaniment and form and give all students the opportunity of recording their songs to CD.

Aims:    

Introduce students to the musical techniques employed in a variety of genres of song-writing. Investigate existing models of song-writing to be used as exemplar material for discussion and analysis. Encourage students to be creative and experimental in relation to exploring new ideas and techniques. Introduce students to both scholarly and practical source material on the creative process.

Learning Outcomes:    

An understanding, practical and conceptual, of melodic styles, song structures, and accompaniment styles in a variety of musical genres. An understanding of the relationship between words and music. An ability to compose music and words and to set a given text to music. An understanding of the creative process and of its relevance to individual patterns of work and behaviour.

Assessment: Students will submit the following:

 a recording of an original song (30%)  a written commentary (25%)

 a setting of given words (25%)  a piece of written analysis (20%)

Key Reading: Author Keene, J Liggett, M Davis, S Pattison, P

Date 2001 1993 1995 1992

Publisher Skyward Pub.co. Blume/Penguin FW publications Hal Leonard

Davis, S Perricone, Jack

Title Songwriting: from ideas to royalties The complete handbook of songwriting The craft of lyric writing The essential guide to lyric form and structure The Songwriters idea book Melody in songwriting

1993 2000

Scott, Richard J

Chord Progressions for songwriters

2003

Sloboda, JA

The Musical Mind: the cognitive psychology 1985 of music Free Play: Improvisation on Life and Art 1993

Omnibus press International music publications Writers club press Oxford University press Penguin

Nachmanovitch, S
