Contextual Studies 1

Subject MUSI10180 (2012)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2012.

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 1 (Undergraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2012:

Semester 1, Southbank - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period not applicable
Assessment Period End not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol not applicable
Census Date not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail not applicable


Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: 48hrs (24hrs LOM/18hrs Devices/6hrs Piano tute)
Total Time Commitment:

96 Hours

Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

Coordinator

Mr Alex Pertout

Contact

Faculty of the VCA and Music Student Centre
Ground Floor, Elisabeth Murdoch Building (Bldg 860)
Southbank Campus
234 St Kilda Road, Southbank, 3006

Enquiries
Phone: 13 MELB (13 6352)
Email: 13MELB@unimelb.edu.au

Subject Overview:

LANGUAGES OF MUSIC
Subject Outline
LANGUAGES OF MUSIC embraces a study of harmonic, melodic, rhythmic and formal structures that form the basis of the western musical canon. The material discussed will be taken from musical genres and styles directly relevant to current repertoire.
This subject includes an embedded program in academic literacy skills of analysis, discussion, essay writing, research and information retrieval.


HARMONIC & RHYTHMIC DEVICES
Subject Outline
HARMONIC AND RHYTHMIC DEVICES is a subject designed to meet the needs of the performing musician. Students will take part in two tutorials encompassing harmonic and rhythmic elements. This subject develops aural comprehension in rhythm, melody, harmony and form, approached through exercises in listening and performing appropriate repertoire and technical exercises. Areas covered include interval training, rhythm training, structural hearing, sight reading, basic transcription, syncopation, group subdivision, introduction to modes, polyrhythms and sight singing.


PIANO TUTORIAL
Subject Outline
The PIANO TUTORIAL is designed to assist the non-pianists with the development of fundamental piano technique encompassing the areas of piano voicings, voice leading, scales, modes and various comping techniques, both for solo playing, accompanying, as well as an essential component in the development of personal arrangements and composition. This class runs for 6 hours per semester fortnightly.

This subject includes an embedded program in academic literacy skills of analysis, discussion, essay writing, research and information retrieval.

Objectives:

LANGUAGES OF MUSIC
On completing this subject students will be able to:
• understand through examination of selected current repertoire how Western tonal music is constructed;
• apply their knowledge of the internal workings of selected, relevant repertoire to their performances;
• connect the understanding of the internal workings of music to the aural comprehension of it.


HARMONIC & RHYTHMIC DEVICES
On completing this subject students will be able to:
• transcribe, identify and perform selected melodies, rhythms and harmonic structures;
• identify intervals in atonal environments;
• sing atonal melodies;
• identify and perform selected rhythmic patterns;
• perform selected polyrhythms;
• reproduce selected material on the student’s instrument.


PIANO TUTORIAL
On completing this subject students will be able to:
• have an understanding of keyboard technique;
• play and develop pieces playing chords and melodic lines;
• play various chords, scales and selected pieces;
• accompany various standards;
• have developed an understanding of comping techniques and voice leading.

Assessment:

LANGUAGES OF MUSIC
CONTINUOUS: Preparation and commitment as demonstrated by performance tasks and/or a regularly updated journal of activities embracing all areas studied.
FORMAL: One written examination of two hours duration on subject material presented in lectures (50%).


HARMONIC & RHYTHMIC DEVICES
CONTINUOUS: Attendance, preparation and commitment as demonstrated by a regularly updated journal of activities embracing all areas studied.
FORMAL: Viva Voce exam of material studied during the semester. Harmonic Devices exam (20%), Rhythmic Devices exam (20%).

PIANO TUTORIAL
CONTINUOUS: Attendance, preparation and commitment as demonstrated by performance tasks and activities embracing all areas studied.
FORMAL: Exam consisting of a performance on piano of various assigned tasks developed during the semester (10%).

Late submission
* Unless an extension has been granted, for essays/assignments submitted after the due date, the mark a student is awarded for their work will be reduced by 10% for each day the work is late. Using electronic submission means work may be submitted on any day.
* Unless an extension has been granted, assignments submitted later than 5 working days (or 1 week if due on a weekend) after the due date will not be marked, and will receive no marks.

Hurdle requirements
Students must attend 80% of all scheduled classes and attempt all elements of assessment
to be eligible for a pass in this subject.

Prescribed Texts:

LANGUAGES OF MUSIC
Required Texts
The Jazz Piano Book by Mark Levine
The Jazz Theory Book by Mark Levine
How To Improvise by Hal Crook


HARMONIC & RHYTHMIC DEVICES
Required Texts
There may be required texts for this subject as assigned by the various tutors when necessary.


PIANO TUTORIAL
Required Texts
The Jazz Piano Book by Mark Levine

Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:

LANGUAGES OF MUSIC
On completing this subject students will:

• exhibit extensive theoretical and practical knowledge of their discipline including relevant professional knowledge, skills, discipline and ethics as they relate to the practising musician
• demonstrate an open and independent attitude towards contemporary cultural developments
• demonstrate a flexible and innovative approach to the challenges for the professional musician in the 21st century
• critically and creatively engage with topics of cultural significance across the broader community
• work at various levels, both individually and as a team member, in a wide variety of musical environments
• understand and appreciate how the arts connect with the broader society and culture.


HARMONIC & RHYTHMIC DEVICES
On completing this subject students will:

• exhibit extensive theoretical and practical knowledge of their discipline including relevant professional knowledge, skills, discipline and ethics as they relate to the practising musician
• demonstrate an open and independent attitude towards contemporary cultural developments
• demonstrate a flexible and innovative approach to the challenges for the professional musician in the 21st century
• critically and creatively engage with topics of cultural significance across the broader community
• work at various levels, both individually and as a team member, in a wide variety of musical environments
• understand and appreciate how the arts connect with the broader society and culture.


PIANO TUTORIAL
On completing this subject students will:

• exhibit extensive theoretical and practical knowledge of their discipline including relevant professional knowledge, skills, discipline and ethics as they relate to the practising musician
• demonstrate an open and independent attitude towards contemporary cultural developments
• demonstrate a flexible and innovative approach to the challenges for the professional musician in the 21st century
• critically and creatively engage with topics of cultural significance across the broader community
• work at various levels, both individually and as a team member, in a wide variety of musical environments
• understand and appreciate how the arts connect with the broader society and culture.


FOR ALL AREAS:
On completing this subject students will be able to:

• understand research practices as a result of preparing materials for online discussion and essays;

• present opinions and analysis in classroom discussion;

• argue clearly and logically as a result of the planning and writing of essays;

• utilise effective library research skills, including the development of search strategies to find information from a variety of quality information resources, including online databases, books, journals, internet, and a variety of multimedia-rich resources;

• demonstrate effective time-management skills.

Links to further information: http://www.vcam.unimelb.edu.au/
Related Course(s): Bachelor of Fine Arts (Contemporary Music)

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