AS Music Technology

Music Technology
Level: AS

Awarding Body: Edexcel

Course Content:
As the name suggests, this course allows you to explore a combination of technology and musicianship effectively and creatively to make music - whether it is using MIDI, a sampler or audio, or through recording and production techniques. You will need skills in both areas to obtain a good grade. If you are more skilled in one area - for example, you are a whiz with computers and have a home studio but have little formal musical education, then it is possible to fill in the gaps as you learn on the course.

The course has three areas of study:

- The principles and practice of music technology
- Popular music styles since 1910
- The development of technology-based music

The course consists of coursework and a written exam.

There are two units to complete in the AS:

Unit 1 (code 6MT01): Music Technology Portfolio 1 (70% of AS)

In this unit there are three tasks to complete;

- A sequenced realised performance
- A multi-track recording
- A creative sequenced arrangement- with a supporting logbook

Each track is submitted with the portfolio as an audio CD. Therefore the whole of this unit is essentially coursework. The coursework is externally assessed and must be completed under coursework conditions.

Unit 2 (6MTO2): Listening and Analysing (30% of AS)

This unit requires students with an opportunity to study the styles most common in popular music. Students will have the opportunity to demonstrate this knowledge using aural discrimination skills.

Students study the development on popular music styles form 1910 till the present. This is an overview of the main styles and trends within jazz and popular music,

The exam explores two specific styles which Edexcel specify at the start of the academic year (for example, rock 'n' roll and hip hop). The exam board choose two different styles each year and it is these two genres which are explored in detail for the exam.

Assessment:
There is a one hour forty-five minute listening examination, externally assessed, at the summer sitting. The exam combines multiple choice questions with prose style written responses.

Skills & Commitment:
Success in this course means putting in extra time as well as the six hours of lessons a week. Students need to attend the music technology enrichment every Wednesday afternoon.

Cost:
Each student must pay £30 on enrolment as there will be there will be an opportunity for students to go to concerts/gigs (the ticket costs for these extra-curricular trips are subsidised by the College). This £30 also covers a £10 book deposit for the essential textbook 'A Student's Guide to Music Technology'. The £10 deposit is returned at the end of the course provided the book is returned to the department.

Progression:
It is important to realise that this is, at the moment, only a subject for AS level. This may change at some point in the near future.

However, regardless of this, the skills covered will apply to anyone wanting to work in the music industry in any capacity, whether it is as a sound engineer, technician, performer or even a music journalist. The software platforms you use on the course (Logic and Pro-tools) are industry standard. The music business likes practical and dynamic people. There are now a huge range of degree level courses that specialise in the commercial aspects of the music industry , the recoding aspects and many other aspects.