MO2D09 - The Creative Musician 01 Sep 2022 - 31 Aug 2028 | Version 1

Associated Module Information

Module Code: MO2D09
Module Title: The Creative Musician
Faculty: Faculty of Business and Creative Industries
Faculty Group: Music and Drama
Faculty Sub Group: Music
Module Leader: Andy Cooper
Module Team: David Coker, Alun Tomos
First Intended Intake: SEP 2022 Final Year of Intake: 2027
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 40 Credit Level: 5
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 101450 - applied music and musicianship
HECOS Code Weighting: 100

Document Version Information

Version 1
Valid From 01 Sep 2022
Valid To 31 Aug 2028

Module Aims

Develop an understanding of music software applications as they apply to songwriting, composing, arranging and production.

Develop further the ability to use music technologies to organise musical ideas.

Analyse arranging styles and techniques from the Popular Music canon, with a view to incorporating theories and stylistic traits into their own work.

Investigate techniques in the creation of original songs and compositions.

Create practicable musical arrangements applying the technology, theory and aural skills as appropriate.

Content Summary

The module deals with two key aspects of music creation. Firstly, dealing with the creation of musical ideas, songs and compositions and secondly with the realisation of said ideas through the use of music technologies.

Students will Investigate key concepts in songwriting such as formal, harmonic, rhythmic and lyrical aspects.

Students will explore the practice and theory of key concepts in desktop music production, such as music sequencing software, principally introducing aspects of midi, including arranging, editing, notating, controllers, and mixing. This will be followed by more advanced editing techniques such as computer-based audio recording and editing, creative use of ‘loops’, computer based EQ, insert effects, mixing, ‘plug in’ effects, routing, and mastering.

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Lecture 36
Practical classes and workshops 36
Independent Study 164
Directed Study 164
Total Hours Selected 400

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Compare and contrast a range of problems associated with the development of artistic ideas and appraise problem-solving concepts through a process of critical review and exploration of key ideas used in music creation and/or songwriting.
LO2 Produce appropriate material in a suitable format and apply apposite technologies in desktop music production which incorporate arranging and editing skills.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Asynchronous Assessment Project Output 2 Submission of two produced, mixed and mastered arrangements of original music. 15 N/A 70 No 40
Asynchronous Assessment Project Output 1 Submission of two demos of original music. 15 N/A 30 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Project Output 2
Project Output 1

Reading List

1. Fries, B. and Fries, M. Digital Audio Essentials, O’Reilly, 2005.

2. Moylan, W. The Art of Recording, 2002

3. Zollo, P. Songwriters on Songwriting, Da Capo, 2003