MOS1005 - Music and Production Styles 01 Sep 2023 - 31 Aug 2029 | Version 1

Associated Module Information

Module Code: MOS1005
Module Title: Music and Production Styles
Faculty: Faculty of Business and Creative Industries
Faculty Group: Music and Drama
Faculty Sub Group: Music
Module Leader: , Andrew Gwilliam
Module Team:
First Intended Intake: SEP 2023 Final Year of Intake:
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 20 Credit Level: 4
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100223 - music production
HECOS Code Weighting: 100

Document Version Information

Version 1
Valid From 01 Sep 2023
Valid To 31 Aug 2029

Module Aims

Develop music culture and production awareness and analysis of sound.

To introduce and develop research and technical skills with set limitations.

To explore the importance of relevant historical recording studios, musical movements and genres.

Content Summary

This module is developed to discuss, recognise, discuss and develop knowledge throughout the decades exploring and realising the processes, key artists and production techniques and equipment of that era.

Examples of Historical Studios

Motown Studios, Stax Records, Sun Studio, Muscle Shoals, RCA Studio B, Fame Studio, Sunset Sound, Air Studio,

Rockfield Studio, Abbey Road, Trident Studios

Examples of Musical Movements

Swing, Jazz, Blues, Tin PanAlley, Denmark Street, Rock n Roll, Country, HipHop, Dance, Reggae, Funk, Disco

Examples of Production Pioneers

Tom Dowd, Geoff Emerick, Joe Meek, Bill Putnum, Ethel Gabriel, Tom Scholz, George Massenberg, Rick Rubin, Sam Philips, Berry Gorde, Sylvia Massey, Sylvia Robinson

Develop Research Skills

Explore the importance of a history and how it is referenced in academic writing

Discuss ideas verbally in a collegiate atmosphere

This module is designed to enhance the learners historical and Production context to inform and present skills of the past that will impact research to all other modules on the course. Learners will discuss how particular genres and styles were influenced by cultural, social, religious and technological limitations, and put this research into a practical element.

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Lecture 12
Seminar 12
Practical classes and workshops 8
Supervised time in studio/workshop 16
Independent Study 76
Directed Study 76
Total Hours Selected 200

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Develop and gain knowledge of historical music styles and technologies.
LO2 Apply research and knowledge to emulate the style of production you wish to explore.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Synchronous Onsite Practical Assessment Production (Onsite) 1 You are required to produce a production style. Replicate a cover song of your choice in the recording studio from a specific era. 0 N/A 50 No 40
Asynchronous Assessment Essay 1 A research essay into one style / production style identifying key players, the scene, major players, recording and production equipment and limitations. 0 2000 50 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Production (Onsite) 1
Essay 1

Reading List

Payne, E. and Whittaker, L. (2006) Developing Essential Study Skills. New York: Harlow

Shuker, R. (2022) Popular music culture: The key concepts. Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge.

Wall, T. (2013) Studying popular music culture. London: SAGE

Cottrell, S. (2005) Critical Thinking Skills: Developing Effective Analysis and Argument. New York: Palgrave Macmillan

Betts, G. (2014) Motown Encyclopedia. AC Publishing.

Burgess, R.J. (2014) The history of music production. New York: Oxford University Press.

Shuker, R. (2016) Understanding popular music. London: Routledge.

Hepworth, D. (2022) Abbey Road: The inside story of the world's most famous music recording studio. London: Bantam.

Horn, T. (2022) Adventures in modern recording: From ABC to ZTT. London: Nine Eight Books

James, B.R.M. (1993) Stax records: A historical and musicological study. Ann Arbor, MI: UMI Dissertation Services.

Larkin, C. (2011) The encyclopaedia of popular music. London: Music Sales

Machin, D. (2010) Analysing popular music: Image, sound and text. Los Angeles: SAGE.

Massey, H. (2015) The Great British Recording Studios. Milwaukee, WI: Hal Leonard Books, an Imprint of Hal Leonard Corporation.

MASSY, S.Y.L.V.I.A. (2018) Recording unhinged. S.l.: HAL LEONARD BOOKS.

PUBLICATIONS, H.A.L.L.E.O.N.A.R.D. (2018) Art of recording a big band: Al Schmitt. S.l.: HAL LEONARD BOOKS.

Whitley, C.J. (2014) Muscle Shoals Sound Studios: How The Swampers changed American Music. Charleston, SC: The History Press.