AS/A Level Music Technology

AS/A LEVEL MUSIC TECHNOLOGY

WHAT IS MUSIC TECHNOLOGY?
A practical course offering a wide range of recording, sequencing and live music making.

USEFUL SKILLS & INTERESTS

• You should love music
• Have an interest in performing and composing
• A good musical ear
• Have an interest in recording and sequencing

COURSE STRUCTURE & CONTENT

Part A: Practical Work

Sequenced Realised Performance
You will produce a sequenced performance using Cubase software of a piece of recorded music specified by the exam board.

Multi-Track Recording
You will record a piece of popular music of your own choice. It will last between two and four minutes and have at least eight live tracks.

Creative Sequenced Arrangement
You will create your own arrangement of a piece of music from a choice of two set by the exam board. You will use Cubase software for this task.

Part B: Written Work

Listening and Analysing
In this part of the AS, you will be listening to unfamiliar music and analyse musical, technical and stylistic features. You will sit a one and a half hour paper in which you will answer questions on the development of Music Technology, Popular Music and Jazz. You will be given some essay type questions and be asked to put the music in a broader cultural and social context.

COURSE COMMITMENT
If you study Music Technology we expect you to support all musical activities so that you benefit from your studies to the fullest extent. Of course you are welcome to join the music enrichment programme whatever your musical interests.

PROGRESSION ROUTES
There are now many degree courses where a music technology qualification would be an advantage. The industry is expanding rapidly in areas such as commercial, popular and jazz music. Other key areas include recording studio work, teaching, publishing and working with computers.