Contemporary Musicianship (10317.2)

Music performance and composition rely on a critical understanding of music genres and a practical understanding of their musical elements. In the first of four progressive musicianship units, Musicianship: Contextualising the contemporary, introduces the student to contemporary music: its historical context; conventions of contemporary theory; aural discrimination; and notation. It promotes an impartial approach to music, focusing on basic musical elements that integrate to form the countless musical styles of Contemporary Music. It promotes a comparative approach across genres to further instil an egalitarian approach to music style and theory that will be invaluable throughout the students learning. Like Performance: Commercial music and Composition: Songwriting and historical perspectives, the unit promotes a holistic approach to music theory, which is intrinsically linked to its historical, cultural and technological contexts. This introductory unit complements Performance: Commercial music and Composition: Songwriting and historical perspectives, focusing on the analytical study and practical implementation of contemporary music genres from a theoretical perspective.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
1. Identify and implement contemporary notation techniques;
2. Recognise contemporary music elements and stylistic techniques by ear;
3. Identify and solve common theoretical problems relating to contemporary music; and
4. Compare contemporary styles and innovations with significant events and key figures in the history of music.

Graduate attributes

1. UC graduates are professional - communicate effectively
1. UC graduates are professional - display initiative and drive, and use their organisation skills to plan and manage their workload
1. UC graduates are professional - employ up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills
1. UC graduates are professional - take pride in their professional and personal integrity
1. UC graduates are professional - use creativity, critical thinking, analysis and research skills to solve theoretical and real-world problems
2. UC graduates are global citizens - understand issues in their profession from the perspective of other cultures
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - reflect on their own practice, updating and adapting their knowledge and skills for continual professional and academic development

Prerequisites

None

Corequisites

None.

Incompatible units

None

Equivalent units

9739 Musicianship: Contextualising the Contemporary

Assumed knowledge

None.