Course Title: Compose musical pieces

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term2 2022

Course Code: PERF5108C

Course Title: Compose musical pieces

Important Information:

Please note that this course may have compulsory in-person attendance requirements for some teaching activities. 

To participate in any RMIT course in-person activities or assessment, you will need to comply with RMIT vaccination requirements which are applicable during the duration of the course. This RMIT requirement includes being vaccinated against COVID-19 or holding a valid medical exemption. 

Please read this RMIT Enrolment Procedure as it has important information regarding COVID vaccination and your study at RMIT: https://policies.rmit.edu.au/document/view.php?id=209

Please read the Student website for additional requirements of in-person attendance: https://www.rmit.edu.au/covid/coming-to-campus 

 

Please check your Canvas course shell closer to when the course starts to see if this course requires mandatory in-person attendance. The delivery method of the course might have to change quickly in response to changes in the local state/national directive regarding in-person course attendance. 

School: 515T Creative Industries

Campus: City Campus

Program: C5410 - Diploma of Music (Sound Production)

Course Contact: Rebekha Naim

Course Contact Phone: +61399254849

Course Contact Email: rebekha.naim@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Teacher: Tim Johnston

timothy.johnston@rmit.edu.au

 

Nominal Hours: 35

Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites

None

Course Description

In this course you will acquire the skills and knowledge required to apply imagination and perception skills to compose a range of musical pieces.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

CUAMCP412 Compose musical pieces

Element:

1. Prepare to compose musical pieces

Performance Criteria:

1.1 Consult personnel with required expertise and identify factors that may impact on approach to composition of music

1.2 Generate a range of musical ideas and starting points, and test options for realising them

1.3 Discuss and refine musical ideas with required personnel

1.4 Select basic structural elements for achieving desired effect of musical piece

Element:

2. Create musical pieces

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Organise musical elements into working versions of musical piece, applying a range of compositional techniques

2.2 Share work in progress with required personnel and seek feedback on creative and technical aspects of creation

2.3 Incorporate feedback and suggestions into composition according to composition requirements

2.4 Listen to rehearsal of composition and make required adjustments according to composition requirements

2.5 Apply copyright notice to composition according to requirements

Element:

3. Finalise and evaluate own musical compositions

Performance Criteria:

3.1 Present composition in required format and within required timeframe

3.2 Identify criteria to measure success of own composition

3.3 Evaluate own work and identify areas for future improvement

3.4 Discuss composition feedback with required personnel


Learning Outcomes


On successful completion of this course you will have developed and applied the skills and knowledge required to demonstrate competency in the above elements. 


Details of Learning Activities

In class activities will include a range of teacher directed group activities, projects, class exercises, review discussions/lectures and independent project based work.

Out-of-class activities include completion of individual design and pre-production work, preparation for class presentations and production work. Online research and occasional outside of class time group discussions will be required to maintain project work.


Teaching Schedule

WeekTopic / Learning activitiesAssessment 

Semester 2

Week 1

Intro to unit
Intro to DAW's; Digital Audio basics (covered in DAT)
Intro to Pro Tools
Edit & Mix pages, controls
Channels; inputs, outputs, solo, mute etc

 
Week 2

Introduction to ProTools part 2
Inserts, sends, busses, auxes, hardware
File management & file types
Recording
MM v MC inserts
EQ, Dynamic Controls, mod, rev, delay, filters etc.
Hardware connections, I/O & Aggregates
Bouncing
MIDI in Pro Tools (intro)

 

Li=ve recording mix
Import files & mix

 
Week 3

Pro Tools Revision

Edit & Mix pages, controls
Channels; inputs, outputs, solo, mute etc
Clipboard
Inserts, sends, busses, auxes
File management & file types
Playlists
Groups

MM v MC inserts
EQ, Dynamic Controls, mod, rev, delay, filters etc.
Hardware connections, I/O & Aggregates
Bouncing

 
Week 4

Introduction to Logic Pro
Edit & Mix pages, screens, controls
Channels; inputs, outputs, solo, mute etc
Midi v Audio

Completion of in class EOP prac assignment

In class EOP Assignment
Week 5

Introduction to Logic Pro part 2
Inserts, sends, busses, auxes, hardware
File management & file types
Recording
EQ, Dynamic Controls, mod, rev, delay, filters etc.
Hardware connections, I/O & Aggregates
Bouncing
MIDI & Software Instruments

 

PRAC 1
Auto Tempo

PRAC 2

Logic Pro prac

 
Week 6

Practical exercise Pro Tools

1) CONVERT GARAGE BAND SONG > LOGIC > PRO TOOLS

2) MIX HENRY HUGO SONG (Henry Street)

 
Week 7

1) REVIEW COMMERCIAL PRO TOOLS SESSION (New York / Eskimo Joe)

2) LOGIC PRO - PRACTICAL MIX / REMIX EXERCISE

 
Week 8

LOGIC PRO - PRACTICAL MIX / REMIX EXERCISE
Final bounce and presentation

 
Week 9

Introduction to MIDI & MIDI protocol.
Discussion of Student set-ups
Overview of virtual instruments – Logic, Pro Tools
Practical - Logic AT2

 
Week 10

Form/structure - arrangement;

Chord Progressions - sequences, motifs/melodic lines/themes, repetition looping, 

variation on themes – counterpoint

Instrumentation – layered, sparse; genre/style, dynamics, timbre

Practical - Logic AT2

Assessment Task 1 - Knowledge Questions DUE
Week 11

Quantisation/Transposition/Looping
Practical - Logic AT2

 
Week 12

Practical - Logic AT2

Assessment Task 2 - Structural Elements DUE
Week 13

MIDI controllers & triggering devices
Practical -Logic AT3

 
Week 14

Automation
Practical - Logic AT3

 
Week 15

Practical - Logic AT3

 
Week 16

Practical - Logic AT3

Assessment Task 3  - Logic Composition DUE

Semester 1

Week 1

Virtual instruments/MIDI – Pro Tools

Practical - ProTools AT4

 
Week 2

Quantisation/Transposition/Looping

Practical - ProTools AT4

 
Week 3 Practical - ProTools AT4  
Week 4 Practical - ProTools AT4 Assessment Task  4 - ProTools Composition - DRAFT
Week 5

Review and finalise

Practical - ProTools AT4

 
Week 6 Practical - ProTools AT4 Assessment Task  4 - ProTools Composition - DUE


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References


Other Resources

You are advised to look at myRMIT for ongoing updated information.

It is recommended that you bring materials to classes to make notes, for example;

a pen and notepaper or a laptop computer. You will need to have either a USB thumb drive or a USB/Thunderbolt Harddrive (or both) to store and manage your media. Your teacher will advise you what to get when classes commence.

The University Library has extensive resources. The Library has produced a number of subject guides that includes quality online and print resources for your studies. Lynda.com is available via your Library login.

The Library provides guides and subject specialist help via your Liaison Librarians.


Overview of Assessment

Assessment for this course is ongoing throughout the semester. Your knowledge and understanding of course content is assessed through participation in class exercises, oral/written presentations and through the application of learned skills and insights. Full assessment briefs will be provided and can be found on CANVAS.


Assessment Tasks

To demonstrate competency in this course you will need to complete the following assessment tasks to a satisfactory standard. You will receive feedback on all assessments and once you have demonstrated competency you will also receive a result after your final assessment task.

 

Assessment Tasks

Semester 2

Assessment Task 1: Knowledge questions, Due by Week 10, Semester 2.

Assessment Task 2: Structural elements. Due by Week 12, Semester 2.

Assessment Task 3: Logic composition. Due by Week 12, Semester 2.

 

Semester 1

Assessment Task 4: Pro Tools Composition. Due by Week 6, Semester 1.

 

You should refer to the assessment brief which is available on myRMIT for full assessment criteria.

 

Results that apply to Ungraded courses that are delivered and assessed in accordance with competency-based assessment are:

CA      Competency Achieved

NYC   Not Yet Competent

DNS   Did Not Submit for Assessment


Assessment Matrix

The assessment matrix demonstrates alignment of assessment tasks with the relevant unit of competency. These matrices are available through Program Administration.

Other Information

Please refer to the RMIT student page for extensive information about study support, assessment, extensions, appeals and a range of other matters: http://www1.rmit.edu.au/students

Cover Sheet for Submissions:

You must complete and sign a submission cover sheet for every piece of submitted work, including online submissions.

http://mams.rmit.edu.au/s1llva641yxuz.pdf

Attendance:

Your learning experience will involve class-based teaching, discussion, demonstration and practical exercises

It is strongly advised that you attend all timetabled sessions. This will allow you to engage in the required learning activities, ensuring you the maximum opportunity to complete this course successfully.

Assessment Feedback:

You will receive spoken and written feedback on all your work.  Where relevant, this feedback will also include suggestions on how you can proceed to the next stage of developing your projects.

http://www1.rmit.edu.au/policies/assessment-policy

Student Progress:

Monitoring academic progress is an important enabling and proactive strategy designed to assist you in achieving your learning potential.

http://www1.rmit.edu.au/students/acadprogress

Adjustments to Assessment (eg. applying for an extension of time):

If you are unable to complete any piece of assessment satisfactorily by the due date, you can choose to apply for an adjustment to your assessment. RMIT University offers a range of adjustments designed to support you in your studies, including an extension of time to complete the assessment.

http://www1.rmit.edu.au/students/assessment/adjustment

Academic Integrity and Plagiarism:

RMIT University has a strict policy on plagiarism and academic integrity. Please refer to the website for more information on this policy.

http://www1.rmit.edu.au/students/academic-integrity

Credit Transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning:

Credit transfer is the recognition of previously completed formal learning (an officially accredited qualification).

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is an assessment process that allows you to demonstrate competence using the skills you have gained through experience in the workplace, voluntary work, informal or formal training or other life experiences.

Recognition of Current Competency (RCC) RCC applies only if you have previously successfully demonstrated competence in a unit of competency, and now require to be reassessed to ensure that the competence is being maintained.

Please speak to your teacher if you wish to discuss applying for Credit Transfer, RPL, or RCC for the unit(s) of competency addressed in this course.

http://www1.rmit.edu.au/students/enrolment/credit

Course Overview: Access Course Overview