AS/A2 Music Technology

AS/A2 Music Technology

Why study Music Technology?
The AS and A2 Music Technology courses aim to develop knowledge and skills required for the production of music (mainly focused on Popular and Jazz genres) using MIDI Sequencing and Studio Recording techniques. You may have had the opportunity to produce music as a part of your GCSE course or you may simply have a genuine, keen interest in music as a performer. Whatever your background, if you are keen to develop your musical/technical skills to learn about arranging, composing, recording and producing music, Music Technology could be the ideal course for you.

What will I study and how will it be assessed?
The complete A Level course consists of four units that provide a thorough grounding in MIDI Sequencing and Audio Recording techniques as music production tools. The underlying principles of music technology and the development of musical knowledge (including aural/analytical skills) will be taught within an essentially practical course. Performance isnt assessed as a part of this course, but is made use of when recording in the studios. The course has three prescribed Areas of Study that can be thought of as independent aspects, but also as threads that permeate the four units:

AOS1: The Principles and Practice of Music Technology. This involves a study of the essential techniques needed for MIDI Sequencing, Audio Sequencing and Studio Recording. The practical activities demand skilful use of equipment and software along with an understanding of the technical processes required to capture sounds and manipulate them to produce musical end products.

AOS2: Popular Music Styles since 1910. Popular Music is taken to mean jazz as well as pop and rock based styles for this area of study. Through a study of the key features (musical and cultural) that define the wide range of popular musical styles since 1910, students will gain an appreciation of how and why musical styles have evolved. To be able to fully understand the musical aspects, students will study various musical notations including traditional staff, guitar TAB and drum notation, keys and chords, common musical structures, and instrumental performance techniques.

AOS3: The Development of Technology-based Music. This area of study focuses on the technology that has been used in production processes since 1910 and is designed to complement the musical studies outlined above. It will cover the full range of techniques that have been used to produce music since the earliest recordings of Thomas Edison, the impact of significant moments including the invention of the microphone, the development of electric amplification, the electric guitar and synthesizers, and some key albums that have been produced since the introduction of techniques such as multi-tracking, dub reggae and remixing.

Theoretical concepts are taught as a whole class and are followed up by individual learning and assessment tasks. Practical work is either individual or in small groups. Individual and small group tutoring also takes place to cater for specific individual needs, for example to reinforce or develop theoretical understanding and basic level keyboard skills.

Final assessment in both years is by submission of an externally marked Coursework portfolio (70% for AS and 60% for A2) and end of year Listening and Analysis exams (30% for AS and 40% A2).

Unit 1 Music Technology Portfolio 1
(AS year) 70% of total AS marks. After a taught course in musical arranging with the use of MIDI Sequencing and Audio Recording software (and associated studio equipment), students will produce a portfolio of coursework comprising the following three tasks:

Task 1A: Sequenced Realised Performance.

Task 1B: Multi-track Recording.

Task 1C: Creative Sequenced Arrangement.

These will be submitted for external assessment as a fully mastered CD along with a logbook detailing equipment used and with answers to assessed questions relating to the creative sequenced arrangement.

Unit 2: Listening and Analysing
(AS year) 30% of total AS marks. This unit provides 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 are required to study the development of popular music styles from 1910 through to the present day. This is not intended to be a comprehensive and in-depth study of every popular, jazz or rock music style, but an overview of the main styles and trends during the development of popular music. Two special focus styles will be selected each year for more in depth study. For the special focus styles, in addition to the main fingerprints of the style, students will be expected to have an extended knowledge and understanding of context. Assessment is by a 1 hour 45 minute listening examination, externally assessed, in the summer of the year of entry.

Unit 3: Music Technology Portfolio 2
(A2 year) 60% of total A2 marks. This unit builds on skills acquired in Unit 1, and extends these to include original composition. It involves detailed study of Area of Study 3: The Development of Technology based Music and students must again complete three tasks:

Task 3A: Sequenced Integrated Performance.

Task 3B: Multi-track Recording.

Task 3C: Composing using Music Technology. These will be submitted for external assessment as a fully mastered CD along with a logbook detailing equipment used.

Unit 4: Analysing and Producing
(A2 year) 40% of total A2 marks. Students will be expected to demonstrate their knowledge of music and the principles of music technology through a series of written commentaries, manipulations and production tasks using material provided on an examination paper and recorded on an audio CD. The examination will test students musical understanding, their ability to manipulate and correct recorded music and their ability to write commentaries on technological processes. They will also be tested on their ability to produce a balanced stereo mix.

Assessment will take the form of a 2-hour examination. Each student will have an audio CD, containing a series of music files to be imported into music production software. Each student will also have an examination paper in which some or all of the CD tracks will be notated as conventional staff notation, editing grids or numerical data.

Does Music Technology link particularly well with other subjects?
Students who take Music Technology can study a wide range of other subjects as well. Common options include Music, Performing Arts, Theatre Studies and Media/Film Studies as closely linked subjects, but equally many also study Sciences, Electronics, Computing and Business Studies, for example, perhaps with a view to a future career in industries that develop music software and equipment, or with English, Art, Textiles, Psychology and Languages with a view to a journalistic or arts administration career.

Where might it lead me?
The skills developed during this course can find use in a wide range of careers that may include self employment: Sound recording, media music production, composition, radio, television and the film industry, commercial advertising, musical instrument retail, software design, teaching and journalism. There is an ever increasing number of degree courses at universities and music colleges specialising in music technology that can lead directly to the career options mentioned above, and some where music technology can be combined with many other subjects.

Entry Requirement
Whilst a good GCSE grade in Music is desirable, this course is also open to students who may have developed their understanding of music through their performance interests, but havent taken GCSE Music. Some understanding of traditional musical notation is required for the course, as is a basic knowledge of a piano keyboard, to be able to fulfil the demands of sequencing and arranging coursework. Support lessons will be given to cover essential music theory for all students, but please call to talk to us if you are unsure about your suitability for the course.