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Practical & Technical Development I - MUS00111C

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  • Department: Music
  • Module co-ordinator: Dr. Jack McNeill
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: C
  • Academic year of delivery: 2021-22

Module summary

This module consists of practical and technical skills tuition, in addition to exploration of key musical works in a weekly lecture series.

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Autumn Term 2021-22 to Spring Term 2021-22

Module aims

This module develops practical and technical skills, knowledge of repertoire and critical listening abilities through workshops, lectures and guided listening sessions. Over the year, students will work on technical proficiencies both to reinforce and extend the wide range needed across this stage of their programme and to develop those broader skillsets necessary for a sound recordist’s professional development. Students will start to develop their own individual interests and specialisations by setting their own developmental goals with a view to expanding their portfolio of recorded work. They will also be exposed to a wide variety of music, across musical genres and from different historical periods, through the weekly ‘Music in context’ lectures given by a wide range of academic staff.

Module learning outcomes

Skills Development:

  • a broader knowledge of relevant techniques, skills, concepts, and proficiencies.
  • an increased awareness of performance and technical practice.
  • punctuality, preparation, focus and attention.
  • an understanding of rehearsal or session organisation.
  • technical solutions for recording challenges.
  • an awareness of balance, processing, and production through attentive listening.
  • define and attain identified professional development goals.
  • expand individual portfolio materials.

Critical Listening:

By the end of the module students will have:

  • widened their knowledge of recorded music through history.
  • become familiar with both standard classics and rarer items, from across the whole gamut of available musics.
  • engaged critically with processes of musical perception.
  • gained insight into a number of key works.
  • become aware of the many different ways in which music can be studied.
  • developed their written responses to a variety of musical experience.

Assessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Music in Context Essay		 N/A 50
Essay/coursework
Portfolio Material		 N/A 50

Special assessment rules

Pass/fail

Additional assessment information

There will be a formative assessment each term based upon 13 key proficiencies (tracking, editing, mixing, mastering, DAW operation, studio operation, MIDI, music theory, listening skills, automation and control, processing, routing, and microphone technique) allowing students to track their own progression and identify areas for future improvement. Students will self-assess their progression using the module proficiency indicators. The summative assessment will consist of a folio submission which will include at least two pieces of work. These pieces must be novel i.e. not used for previous submissions or for previous projects. As a part of the folio, students will engage with a self-reflective document which maps their progress onto the module proficiency indicators, allowing them to understand their development through the module and across their degree programme; they will also write a 1500w critical reflection on their response to music with the 'Music in Context' series.

Reassessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Music in Context Essay		 N/A 50
Essay/coursework
Portfolio Material		 N/A 50

Module feedback

Confirmation of Pass / Fail within University designated time frames

Indicative reading

Everest, F. Alton. 2007. Critical Listening Skills for Audio Professionals. Boston, MA: Course Technology/ Cengage Learning.

Herbert, Trevor. 2001. Music in Words: A Guide to Researching and Writing about Music ; Oxford: OUP.

Rumsey, Francis, and McCormick, Tim. 2009. Sound and Recording. 6th ed. Amsterdam ; London: Elsevier/Focal.

Truss, Lynne. 2003. Eats, Shoots & Leaves ; London: Profile Books.

Further readings will be suggested by individual staff members in the Music in Context lectures.


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University is constantly exploring ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary by the University. Where appropriate, the University will notify and consult with affected students in advance about any changes that are required in line with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.