Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2013-2014 (archived)
Module MUSI3681: Live Electronic Music
Department: Music
MUSI3681: Live Electronic Music
| Type | Open | Level | 3 | Credits | 20 | Availability | Available in 2013/14 | Module Cap | Location | Durham |
|---|
Prerequisites
- MUSI2641 Creative Music Technologies
Corequisites
- None
Excluded Combination of Modules
- None
Aims
- To prepare students for live electronics work within contemporary musical practice To encourage creativity and critical independence as a performer. To enhance the ability of students to reflect conceptually on musical material, forms, and performances. To develop understanding of the relationship of music and technology with respect to the developing research frontier in electronic music.
Content
- This module explores the varied world of live electronic music, with an especial focus on recent developments in laptop and mobile music performance. As well as critical discussion of electronic music performance practices, students will take part in their own electronic music activities, in group and solo performance. Topics will include live computer music, new musical controllers, the combination of acoustic instruments with electronics, and live musical signal processing. Assessment will involve critical practice in the preparation of a new work of live electronic music, and its contextualisation with respect to historical and contemporary models.
Learning Outcomes
Subject-specific Knowledge:
- Students will become familiar with historical and theoretical perspectives on live electronic music, as well as the range of practical approaches to its creation. They will understand factors impacting on live electronic music performance such as technology, performance planning and presentation.
Subject-specific Skills:
- After taking the module, students will be able to demonstrate critical evaluation of their own and others’ live electronic music. They will gain practical performance skills in computer music in particular, through exposure and training within software such as Max/MSP and SuperCollider.
Key Skills:
- The module will establish theoretical understanding of live electronics for music, while developing practical skills in the creation of the same. The module will reinforce flexible and creative IT skills and critical self-awareness.
Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module
- Core theoretical teaching will be delivered in weekly lecture/seminars. Weekly workshops will concentrate on the development of hands-on experience with computer music software for live performance and other practical techniques, as well as opportunities for critical reflection. Students will be offered two paired tutorials as the term progresses.
Teaching Methods and Learning Hours
| Activity | Number | Frequency | Duration | Total/Hours | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lecture/Seminar | 10 | Weekly in the Michaelmas Term | 1 hr | 10 | |
| Workshops | 10 | Weekly in the Michaelmas Term | 2 hrs | 20 | |
| Tutorials | 2 | Two in the Michaelmas Term term (in pairs) | 0.5 hr | 1 | |
| Preparation and Reading | 169 | ||||
| TOTAL | 200 |
Summative Assessment
| Component: Critical commentary | Component Weighting: 30% | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Element | Length / duration | Element Weighting | Resit Opportunity |
| Critical commentary (2000 words) on the historical, technological and aesthetic context to the performance offered for the module. | 2,000 words | 100% | No |
| Component: Documented Performance | Component Weighting: 70% | ||
| Element | Length / duration | Element Weighting | Resit Opportunity |
| Audio/video recorded performance in solo or small ensemble with technical specification, submitted via computer media (data CD, USB stick). The performance should have a duration of 10 minutes, and incorporate electronic music techniques from live software or hardware as introduced in the module. Documentation of the technological mechanism of performance will be provided by students to assist assessment; namely all software patches and code, and/or hardware diagrams, with up to 500 words of explanation (if a student uses equipment unavailable in the department, appropriate screenshots/images will be included to make certain the technical set-up is evident, and the use of their own equipment must be cleared with the module leader well in advance of submission). In a group performance, all performers can use the critical commentary to make clear the nature of their own contribution, as well as the technical data to demonstrate the parts of the performance technology prepared by an individual. Performances will be marked with respect to criteria of effective musical conception, and live electronic music technique. Students will be responsible for preparing their own submission videos/recordings and any documentation for the portfolio. | 10 minute performance + 500 words technical specification and accompanying evidence | 100% | No |
Formative Assessment:
In the first half of term, students will work in groups to present formative performance exercises to the class, for critical discussion. There will also be seminar discussion throughout term of historical electronic music performances to provide examples of contextualizing work. By week 7 of term, students will present their plan for their portfolio performance for early feedback and discussion in class.
■ 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