FMP Rationale

Over the two year course I have learnt and gained the following skills and abilities during each module of the course which have influenced my decisions from having gained new skills and knowledge and having identified my strengths and weaknesses, and this helped to form an idea of what project would be best for the final major project and what skills I have learnt to back it up and anything that I may need to learn to do to get the best possible outcome from the project.

Unit 1 - Principles of music performance and production

- how to use a basic industry standard studio including rigging and basic recording skills

- performing on stage to an audience

- rehearsals as a band within a time frame

- how to work with new people in a creative and technical manner

- the basic layout of a stage and the different areas of the stage (back line, stage right/centre/left, front of house, audience)

- uses of lighting in a live performance

- an understanding of using a mixing desk for a live performance

- the different types of microphone, how they work, and what they are used for

- different microphone positioning techniques for guitar/bass cabs and drum kits

- the connectivity within a studio and the links between each piece of equipment

Unit 2 - Critical listening and music composition

- how to analyse key components of a song

- understand the key terms and definitions of musical composition elements

- how to constructively and critically commentate on a piece of music

- understand the composition of a song and influence our own songwriting and musical understanding

Unit 3 - Music industry and professional practice

- job roles within the music industry

- technical and legal implications and regulations in the music industry

- how to research information and write a summary of articles and documentaries

- how money is earned in the music industry

- the hierarchy of a record label

- understanding the context of famous historical court cases between artists and record labels

Unit 4 - Critical and contextual awareness for music performance and production

- how to critically review and receive feedback from a live music performance

- improvement techniques and how to use them to improve our performances or songwriting

- compare influential artists and their music

- looking at how artists have influenced each other over time and create and develop new and existing music genres

- analyzing the effect music has on society and social and political issues of different time periods

Unit 5 - Music production in context

- how to sequence a short piece of music to a video clip or short film within a specific specification similar to an actual job specification a composer would receive

- use of imported samples in a track

Unit 6 - Music performance in context

- understanding, analyzing and using different stage presence techniques and the effect this has on different audiences

- looking at controversial and innovative artists from different historical times and how their stage performances have influenced modern music

Unit 7 - Preparation for specialist study in music performance and production

- research into universities and the variety of courses

- research into careers in the music industry

- comparing university to full time music industry employment and knowing the advantages and disadvantages of each and how they compare with each other

Unit 8 - Collaborative music performance project

- writing original music as a group

- adapting different styles of songs to your band's style and genre

- recording an album of songs written as a band

Unit 9 - Developing music performance and production skills

- vocal warm-ups and exercises stopping any strain on vocal chords and pitch exercises help to tune a voice to specific notes and hold them when needed without breaking out of tune

- guitar scales and dexterity exercises which makes playing safer, comfortable, and more accurate

- bass harmonics and slides and the subtle effects they can have when placed in the baseline of a song

- stage presence and finding three or more entirely different positions and attitude around the stage and timing this with important aspects of the track such as a lead guitar solo or the opening or ending of a song

Unit 10 - Exploration of specialist study in music performance and production

- a day visit to SAE Oxford university

- booking, organizing and performing at external gigs and local events

Unit 11 - Preparing for progression in music performance and/or production

- listening to professional members of the music industry explain their job roles and how they got to where they are