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MUSIC TECHNOLOGY
from Sixth Form Booklet
Modern music is an art form that most pupils listen to in their spare time, from electronic dance music and DJing to Rock music and Hip Hop This course offers a chance for pupils to learn about the different styles of popular music and how they were recorded, composed and their historical context The course is designed to allow pupils to expand their knowledge of music production, composition, DJing skills or, for those new to Music Technology, an opportunity to learn about electronic and popular music
What is the course content?
The course is broken down into four different components, they are:
° Unit 1: Multi Track Recording - An opportunity to record a band or an ensemble and then mix it down and, using the best production techniques, produce a recording of the highest quality. All songs will be from the popular music context and not include any genres outside of pop, rock, EDM or electronic music Some of the songs recorded in previous years include those by The White Stripes, Adele, Coldplay, The Stokes and Led Zeppelin
° Unit 2: Composition - An opportunity to arrange a piece of music or a song for different instruments and voices, using the facilities within the music studio and/or the classroom suites Pupils will create an original composition, totaling no more than three minutes Pupils will develop the skills to create and manipulate sounds in imaginative and creative ways, learning how to create music in Ableton Live
° Unit 3: History of Recorded Music - Alongside the practical coursework, pupils will develop their knowledge and understanding of recording and production techniques of popular genres (rock, pop, dance and electronic music)
° Unit 4: Producing Music - The creation of a recorded piece of music based on editing, mixing and production techniques This will develop an understanding of sound and audio technology and expand upon recording and production techniques This part of the course will focus on the practical ways music is produced where pupils will have hands-on experience with mixing and mastering music
How is the course assessed?
Edexcel Exam Board Specification
Two components, recording and composition, are practical coursework worth 40% of the overall mark where pupils will use computers and hardware (microphones, mixers, controller devices) to complete their coursework
There are two tests, the history component (25%) is a written test based on how popular music was recorded and what equipment was used in a specific song; the other is production (35%) where pupils will have a combination of written questions and practical production questions where they will produce a popular song in timed conditions
What else should I consider?
Pupils are not expected to have any background in performing music, however, knowledge of a popular modern instrument (electric guitar, keyboards, drums or electronic music) will no doubt have an advantage
Pre-course material
Sound on Sound Magazine/Website
(https://www soundonsound com/) Ableton Software (https://www ableton com/) Big Studio Secrets for Home Recording and Production (Joe Dochterman; ISBN 9781435455054) Perfecting Sound Forever (Greg Milner; ISBN 9781847081407) The History of Music
Production (Richard James Burgess; ISBN 9780199357178)
