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Learning Outcomes

TopThis module explores common textures found in music, such as monophony, homophony, polyphony and heterophony, and examines the influence of textural and timbral elements on a work’s overall shape and character. The module also includes an introduction to basic orchestration techniques. Students will examine different combination of instruments in various textural settings, write for combinations of instruments with attention to timbre, range, performance techniques and instrumental idioms. There will be exercises comprising formal analysis of musical works -- the aim of which is to show how composers shape melody, harmony and timbre to create large-scale musical structures.

Prerequisites

TopMUT1101 Musical Concepts and Materials

Schedule

TopWeeks 1-3:                  STRINGS
Weeks 4-5:                  WOODWIND
Weeks 6-7:                  BRASS
Week 8                          HARP
Week 9                          PERCUSSION
Week 10                        PIANO
Week 11                        VOICE
Week 12                        ORCHESTRA (Chamber orchestra)
Week 13:                       Contemporary setting with Electronics
                                      Review

Syllabus

TopWeek 1-3:                  STRINGS
Bowing
Individual String Instruments (Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass)
Harmonics
Different textures in string writing - largely focusing on string quartet

Weeks 4-5:                  WOODWIND
Individual Woodwind instruments
Transposing instruments
Different textures in woodwind writing
Woodwind and strings combination

Weeks 6-7:                  BRASS
Individual brass instruments
Transposing instruments
Mutes
Different textures in brass writing

Week 8                        HARP
Range, tuning, pedals, special effects
Idiomatic writing for harp

Week 9                        PERCUSSION
Different categories of percussion
Different use of percussion in chamber and orchestral works
Pairing of percussion instruments with strings, woodwind brass, harp, piano

Week 10                      PIANO
Idiomatic writing for piano
Different textures for piano writing
Reducing from chamber music to piano score


Week 11                      Continuation of PERCUSSION and PIANO

Week 12                      VOICE and chamber ensemble
Writing for voice
Contemporary use of voice
Different textures found in voice and ensemble

Week 13:                     Chamber Ensemble/Orchestra

Score layout
Different textures found in orchestral works
Solo instrument with orchestra (as accompanist)

Assessment

Top

Mid semester project                                   25%
Final project                                                 35%
CA (assignments/quiz)                                20%
Group activities                                            20%

Workload

Top1-2-2-3-2

Workload Components : A-B-C-D-E
A: no. of lecture hours per week
B: no. of tutorial hours per week
C: no. of lab hours per week
D: no. of hours for projects, assignments, fieldwork etc per week
E: no. of hours for preparatory work by a student per week