PROGRAMME AND MODULES BA (Hons) Creative Music Performance Pursuing Excellence in Guitar TRIMESTER 1 & 2 Technical Development (30 credits) Rhythm Studies (20 credits) Improvisation (30 credits) Practice Planning (10 credits) Artist Studies (30 credits) TRIMESTER 3 & 4 Advanced Techniques (30 credits) Artist Analysis (30 credits) Advanced Improvisation (30 credits) Composition and Arrangement (30 credits) TRIMESTER 5 TRIMESTER 6 Developing Your Own Style (30 credits) Solo Performance (40 credits) Applied Techniques (30 credits) Professional Practice Portfolio (20 credits) BA (Hons) Creative Music Performance Pursuing Excellence in Guitar 1. Technical Development (Trimester 1 & 2) This module is about understanding the guitar neck inside and out, and realising your technical and creative potential. Throughout the course you will study technical exercises, scales, CAGED chord system concepts, rhythm guitar sequences, modal harmony, alternative tunings and much more. This vocabulary will be the material you need to fuel your creative expression on the instrument. Additionally, you will examine the fundamentals of acquiring a professional sound and feel in a range of styles including blues, rock, country, funk, soul and jazz. The emphasis is on a musical application of elements studied that will allow your playing to reach the highest standards and enable you to be a working professional. 2. Improvisation (Trimester 1 & 2) The material you learn in Technical Development will be applied immediately into Improvisation. In this module we will be concentrating on converting information and techniques into music. Lessons will be breaking down harmony, scales and techniques, and concentrating on practical ways to incorporate them into your own playing. Through analysing the work of great players and gaining insight into what they do, we will begin to develop a repertoire of ideas that can then be used as a basis for developing your individual style. The focus will be on developing your ear, and through a series of weekly tasks challenging you to create your own parts, hook lines and improvised solos with solid timing and great phrasing. 3. Artist Studies (Trimester 1 & 2) In this module, you set the direction of your studies by choosing important guitar players to study in detail as negotiated with your tutor. The choice is yours, but you will be expected to nail several tunes by your chosen artists to the highest standards. This will include generating an authentic tone, fully committing to the performance with accurate execution and showing solid timing and groove. In addition to learning a representative portion of their repertoire, you will be asked to provide a critical analysis of your chosen artists that demonstrates a contextual understanding of the historical, social and cultural factors that shaped their unique sound and style. 4. Rhythm Studies (Trimesters 1 & 2) Developing consistency and control of timing is the single most important aspect of your playing if you want to be a truly excellent musician. In this module you will work with full chords and partial chords to firm up your riffs, tighten up your band sound and make your leads more exciting and dynamic. A wide variety of genres will be covered to inspire you and make you a more versatile musician. e s mm ule gra od Pro nd M a E S R R U O I O F C IN AT N M O 5. Practice Planning (Trimesters 1 & 2) In this module you will use time management, goal-setting and reflective thinking to form clear and effective practice methodologies in the development of your area of specialism. In addition to the construction of a coherent practice strategy, you will be asked to provide critical analysis of your own abilities as compared to industry professionals and how the concepts you have studied will be applied in the wider musical context of your performances and other musical endeavours. 6. Advanced Techniques (Trimesters 3 & 4) The Advanced Techniques module builds on your study of the specialist skills covered in the Technical Development module in Trimesters 1 and 2. The techniques learned in these lectures are an extension of those previously studied and are designed to consolidate and expand your existing vocabulary on the instrument. There will be a greater emphasis on how to apply the skills learned in a broader musical context in preparation for the next level of study. 7. Advanced Improvisation (Trimesters 3 & 4) The Advanced Improvisation module builds on your work in Trimesters 1 & 2 and continues with the study of improvisational skills and methodologies that are ultimately designed to enable creative musical expression in your specialist area. The skills and vocabulary learned in these lectures will be applied and contextualised within performance scenarios at the next level of study. You will be encouraged to develop your own learning methodologies to enhance your technical abilities, and to apply these skills to a broader musical context and develop an individual approach to your area of specialism. 8. Artist Analysis (Trimesters 3 & 4) The Artist Analysis module builds on your work in Artist Studies in Trimesters 1 & 2 and continues to examine the techniques, methodologies and repertoire of iconic artists. The concepts examined in this module are intended to support you in the development of your own individual approach and should ideally be applied to a broader musical context. In addition to learning a representative portion of their repertoire, you will be asked to provide critical analysis of your chosen artists that demonstrates a contextual understanding of the historical, social and cultural factors that shaped their unique sound and style. You will extend your critical analysis through the inclusion of musical notation, commenting on how the unique voice of the artist is evident within the transcription. 9. Composition and Arrangement (Trimester 3 & 4) The Composition and Arrangement module provides you with the opportunity to study and apply methodologies for composing and arranging original music. The outcomes of the module will see you producing original compositions to a specified brief. The concepts examined will provide an integrated understanding of the broader musical context and will support the development of your work throughout the course. 10. Developing Your Own Style (Trimester 5) Developing Your Own Style asks students to amalgamate and apply concepts studied throughout the programme in the development of their own unique sound and style. Additionally, you will apply a critical approach to the developmental process and explain and demonstrate your individual approach to the instrument. 11. Applied Techniques (Trimester 5) The Applied Techniques module builds on the material covered in the Technical Development and Improvisation modules and continues with the intensive study of specialist skills, techniques and methodologies. The content of the module will play a key role in the continued development of your artistic voice and in providing creative direction for the Solo Performance in Trimester 6. 12. Solo Performance (Trimester 6) The Solo Performance module is the culmination of your time spent on the programme developing technical and musical skills. Through self-directed study predominantly (supported by tutorial and group sessions), you will be guided through the process of staging a solo performance that demonstrates the totality of your musical skills and expresses your own unique voice as an artist. 13. Professional Practice Portfolio (Trimester 6) The Professional Practice Portfolio module requires you to research and report on the career opportunities available within your specialist area. You should also comment on how your craft can be contextualised in professional opportunities that will monetise your skills and inspire entrepreneurial practice and artistic excellence. Your Portfolio will also include a personal website and various forms of social media to support your professional work. Course Fees 2 YEAR 4 YEAR £4,500 per year £3,500 per year (Full Time) BA (Hons) Creative Music Performance Pursuing Excellence in Guitar (Part Time)