Module MUSI1191: MUSICAL TECHNIQUES, AURAL SKILLS AND PERFORMANCE

Department: MUSIC

MUSI1191: MUSICAL TECHNIQUES, AURAL SKILLS AND PERFORMANCE

Prerequisites

• A-Level Music

Corequisites

• None

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None

Aims

• To provide an introduction to the core disciplines of musical technique and aural and practical skills to demonstrate this understanding in listening and performing.

Content

• A 'hands-on' study of a range of genres from the sixteenth to the twentieth centuries. Stylistic studies will be selected from the following list: Sixteenth-century counterpoint in two or three parts (Palestrina); Trio sonatas (Corelli); Bach chorales and Baroque suites; accompaniment to a song (from the classical and early romantic eras); string quartet (Haydn and Mozart). These studies will be followed by aural training to reinforce the understanding of musical techniques. Throughout the course students take individual instrumental/vocal lessons with a teacher from the Department's list of approval teachers.

Learning Outcomes

• Students will acquire a fundamental knowledge of musical techniques and their appropriate use with in the analysis and practical synthesis of music.
• Students will gain an understanding of basic musical style and syntax.

• Students will gain practical skills in the manipulation of notated materials, aural analysis, and performance.

• Students will develop their ability to recognise, analyse and resynthesise musical materials, both written and performed.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• Teaching will be by weekly lectures and three tutorials. Students will be asked to do weekly or fortnightly exercises to develop their technique. The modules is also supported by instrumental and vocal tuition. The module will be assessed by a two-hour written paper (techniques), a one-hour aural examination and a practical performance exam. The written exam is in two parts: the first part (2 hours) is designed to develop the student's 'inner ear', i.e. the ability to be able to conceptualise the sounds and textures of what they write in terms of notation and instrumentation (without the recourse to a piano). The second part is a listening exam to develop critical listening skills.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

Weekly (or sometimes fortnightly) exercises.

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University