Students will study a variety of different theoretical areas within the music and sound fields.
Music Theory – students will be introduced to basic music theory. Initially from a western art music perspective, but also examining a broader variety of musics and their underlying theoretical ideas around tone, rhythm and expression of texture.
Sound Design Theory – the way in which sound in non-musical context is discussed, described and structured has its own set of technical language, concepts and approaches. Students will be introduced to these in order to ensure their ability to converse with film practitioners and develop their skills in this direction should they so wish.
Music and Sound in Context – students will be introduced to the underpinning theories which place art objects in a social and historic context. The influence of society on music and of music on society will be examined and students will explore their own chosen music or sound artifact and it’s place in the wider context.

1. Music Theory Class Test. Students will undertake a class test which includes a variety of different practical and theoretical questions relating to the use of Western Art Music focussed theory. (LO1)

2. Students will write and analysis of a provided sound design focussed artifact, they will describe, using technical language, theory and concepts, the way in which the sound design has been put together within the artifact. (LO2)

3. Context presentation – students will research and analyse a music and sound artifact of their choice and present an evidenced understanding of the wider context in which it existed, and how that influenced its creation, and the influence which it had on wider society. (LO3)

Students will learn through a variety of practical exercises, discussions, lectures and guided research activities taking up 3 hours of lecture time in a week split over 2 or 3 different sessions.

1. Understand and explain the basic elements of a piece of music using Western music theory, appropriate language and interpreting notation.

Knowledge and Understanding, Communication.

2. Research Music and Sound creatives and their outputs and understand where their creative practice fits in the wider societal context, and the way in which it has been influence by, and gone on to influence society as a whole.

Enquiry

3. Understand and explain the basic elements of a piece of sound design for film or other time-based media using appropriate language and interpreting standard documentation.

Knowledge and Understanding, Communication.

Music notation software and computers, library and technical resources.

Murray, Leo. (2019). Sound Design Theory and Practice: Working with Sound. Routledge.

Do you want to understand how to talk about, structure and explain music and sound better? This module will give you the language and analytical strategies to better understand music and sound and be more confident talking about it.