Improvisation Techniques

Subject MUSI30078 (2015)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2015.

Credit Points: 6.25
Level: 3 (Undergraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject is not offered in 2015.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: 12 hours per semester
Total Time Commitment: 12 hours contact & 12 hours study per semester
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 Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry.
The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Contact

Faculty of the VCA and Music Student Centre
Email: vcam-info@unimelb.edu.au
Tel: +61 3 9685 9419
Fax: +61 3 9685 9358
Web: www.vcam.unimelb.edu.au
Subject Overview:

This subject introduces the notion of spontaneous improvisation specifically designed for those musicians who have had little or no experience in the art of spontaneity as it relates to musical performance. It deals firstly with the breaking down of (perceived) inhibitions in the act of music making for those who have spent most of their music making governed by traditional notions of reading and learning music from the page.
Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this subject students should have acquired

  • the capacity to spontaneously improvise music without inhibitions formed from previous musical training;
  • the art of creating spontaneously short musical works which have recognisable and acceptable formal structures and melodic, harmonic and rhythmic components which demonstrate a knowledge of common (artistic) musical lanaguages.
Assessment:

Continuous: Preparation and commitment as demonstrated by performance tasks and/or a regularly updated journal of activities embracing all areas studied (50%) - Hurdle requirement 80% attendance.

Formal: One solo performance of approximately 5-7 minutes duration (50%).
Prescribed Texts: None
Recommended Texts: None
Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.
Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:

Upon completion of this subject students should be able to:

• 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
• Be prepared to undertake postgraduate study.
Related Course(s): Bachelor of Music Performance (Improvisation) (VCA)

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