BA(Hons) Creative Music Performance JTC GUITAR

IMPROVISATION 1

IMPROVISATION 1

Recommended Standard Entry Requires: Equivalent to Grade 7 playing ability & Grade 5 music theory knowledge

You now have the opportunity to experience some of the core material featured in our BA(Hons) degree courses. This will give you the chance to experience what it’s like to study online through our virtual learning environment, Canvas.

Standalone Modules are exactly the same content as our BA(Hons) degree courses and are each worth 20 credits. If you wish to progress onto the full degree programme then these credits can transfer.

You will be able to experience studying with DIME ONLINE in cost effective bite-size chunks, with expert instruction focusing on specialist areas.

The Standalone Module offer includes:• Each module worth 20 Credits at Level 4

• Credits that are transferable onto the full BA(Hons) degree programme

• Being part of DIME ONLINE’s learning community through Canvas, our Virtual Learning Environment

• Identical content to the BA(Hons) degree

• Detailed material for professional development

• Expert one-to-one instructor feedback

The aim of this module is to enable you to: • Develop core improvisational skills on your instrument

• Understand core melodic, harmonic and rhythmic vocabulary and related improvisation conventions that inform individual decision-making during improvisation performance contexts

• Apply improvisation conventions and vocabulary creatively in the context of genre-specific repertoire

20 CREDITS

Duration: 15 weeks Cost: £700

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Module Description

The Improvisation Concepts module aims to introduce you to the fundamental concepts of harmonic, melodic and rhythmic vocabulary for the purpose of engaging in instrumental improvisation. You will be introduced to concepts, ideas and conventional devices designed to provide you with a solid foundation for further study in the discipline.

The skills and vocabulary learned in this module will be applied within other performance-related contexts throughout the course. Much of the content that you will study is also designed to complement your technical development studies on your principal study instrument, however it should be noted that the concepts at the heart of Improvisation also apply to a far broader range of performance and composition contexts as they are, in most instances, non-instrument-specific (composition, arranging, production).

Throughout the module, you will be expected to initiate and maintain a self-directed and strategic approach to your studies. Specifically, you will be required to develop a balanced and holistic appreciation for both your practical and theoretical development as a musician.

You will be responsible for motivating yourself to research and develop subject matter beyond the lessons in a pursuit to acquire depth of understanding within the subject area. In doing so, you will enhance your ability to view topics in a critical manner, to identify conceptual threads and to seek out commonalities across

Skills Development

Knowledge and Understanding • You will gain an understanding of the vocabulary and conventions used in improvisation through the module content.

• You will explore foundational core concepts that are critical to the study of improvisation.

Intellectual Skills • You will have an opportunity to develop and apply relevant cognitive and analytical skills when engaging with the theory and philosophy of improvisation.

On completion of this Module you should be able to:

Assessment Criteria. To achieve the learning outcome you must demonstrate the ability to:

Demonstrate an understanding of core improvisation skills and devices specific to the discipline in the context of performance. (Creative Music Performance 1)

Present and perform a range of specialised isolated improvisation exercises.

Display elements of creativity and expression during improvisation. (Creative Music Performance 3)

Combine melodic, harmonic and rhythmically appropriate language during genre-specific improvisation.

Demonstrate an awareness of the broader musical context in which improvisation concepts may be applied. (Creative Music Performance 4)

Demonstrate the ability to select or omit appropriate improvisational devices in the context of genre-specific improvisation-based performance.

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Practical Skills • You will develop the ability to apply foundational improvisation concepts and theory to your instrument.

• You will develop your skills with regards to identifying and applying improvisation language and theory in context, through engagement with lead sheets, transcriptions, scores and recordings.

Transferable Skills • You will have the opportunity to develop a creative and integrative approach to study, in which intellectual study and practical application are weighted equally.

Assessment Strategy

Summative assessment (Submission of filmed performance) You will be asked to submit an 8-10 minute filmed performance demonstrating:

• A range of isolated improvisation exercises that highlight the core concepts underpinning the module.

• Application of improvisational concepts in the context of a pre-agreed genre-specific performance.

The ‘pre-agreed’ performance will allow students to integrate improvisation vocabulary in a contextually-relevant manner. The repertoire will be agreed with your tutor during the trimester.

Summative assessment will occur at the end of Trimester 1, with formative assessment taking place at the mid-way point of the module (week 8). Feedback from weekly improvisation tasks will enable you to adjust and improve aspects of your playing on a frequent and regular basis.

The following aspects of performance will be taken into consideration: • Timing

• Tuning

• Accuracy of execution

• Sound and tonal production

• Fluency of phrasing

• Consistency of delivery

• Appropriateness of decision-making in the context of performance

• Creative intention and use of concepts and vocabulary

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Scheme of Work

Improvisation 1

Week Description

1 • To review the major scale using the EDCAG system• To learn major scale sequences which target chord tones • To create phrases from these scale sequences• To learn the major scale with the 4th degree omitted• To build major scale vocabulary with five licks

2 • To review the natural minor scale• To learn natural minor scale sequences that target chord tones • To create phrases from these scale sequences• To learn the natural minor scale with the b6th degree omitted• To build natural minor scale vocabulary with five licks

3 • To review parallel major and minor chord tones• To target these chord tones using eighth and sixteenth-note lead-ins• To review major and natural minor scales with the ‘avoid’ notes omitted• To review parallel major and minor common tones

4 • To review the chord tones from major and relative natural minor scales• To target major and relative minor chord tones, using sixteenth note lead-ins• To target chord tones on beats 1 and 3, using eighth and sixteenth note lead-ins

5 • To study the major scale through a cycle of key changes• To target the chord tones as they move through the changes• To learn sequences and melodies that can be transposed through the changes

6 • To study the natural minor scale through the cycle of fourths• To target the chord tones as they move through the changes• To learn sequences and melodies that can be transposed through the changes

7 • To review G major and minor triads• To study ‘enclosure’ with major and minor chord tones preceded by upper and lower neighbour tones

8 • Formative Assessment

9 • To review the G major and relative E minor pentatonic scales• To build phrases that target chord tones using major and minor triads

10 • To review the A minor blues scale• To understand the intervallic changes to this scale as it moves through a I IV V progression • To build phrases that target the root movement of the I IV V while staying within the A minor blues scale

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Terms & Conditions applyIf you wish to apply for the full degree course and use your credits after completing any of the individual modules, then you will still need to meet the full application criteria. Further details here www.dime-online.org/do-i-qualify

11 • To identify the 3rds and b7ths in a I IV V progression• To use these guide-tone intervals for smooth voice leading• To look at a solo study in A which uses guidetones

12 • Revision Week

13 • Summative Assessment

14 • Masterclass, Group Tutorials, Recap Week

15 • Masterclass, Group Tutorials, Recap Week

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