Computing for Musicians

This subject is not offered in 2013.

60 hours

None

N/A

N/A

N/A

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 will impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and the Disability Liaison Unit.

Students will acquire basic skills in the use of computers for music notation, composition and music education, and learn the fundamentals of MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface).

On completion of this subject, students should be able to:

• use notation software to enter, layout and edit music in a variety of formats, including music scored for multiple instruments, keyboard instruments, vocal parts
• produce scores and players’ parts that are accurate and legible
• export graphics from notation software and incorporate them into other types of document, such as a word-processing file, presentation or web page
• produce audio and MIDI versions of their score
• understand the nature of difficulties encountered when transcribing real-time performances into usable notation, and of the issues involved in using combined sequencing/notation environments
• demonstrate practical skills in using MIDI and sequencing software.

In particular, students should be able to:

• set up a simple MIDI system for classroom or performance use
• understand the purpose of the commonly-used MIDI message types
• use sequencing software to produce an arrangement with musical control of structure, dynamics, phrasing, and instrumentation.

Two notation exercises due as assigned during the semester (10% each); a 10-minute class presentation and 500 word written summary (25%); an ensemble scoring project of approximately 30 bars, minimum 4 staves (30%); a MIDI sequencing project of 1 minute duration, 4-track minimum, due at the end of semester (25%).

None

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

On completion of this subject students should be able to:

• self-direct their learning of complex software packages through the use of computer-based and online resources
• negotiate around the common design constraints of music software, in order to advance the musical aims of the project at hand
• approach the learning of new technologies with a positive, explorative attitude.