COURSE SUMMARY

The Diploma (Bass) in Contemporary Music is a funded course for students aged 16 - 18 years old who aspire to a career within the music industry. This fcourse provides the opportunity to gain a nationally recognized, vocationally specific qualification, whilst developing the major key skills and knowledge necessary to effectively meet the challenges of the modern music industry.  

This will typically prepare learners to enter employment in a number of related areas including live and studio performance, music education, music business, or alternatively and depending upon their results, to progress into higher educational vocational qualifications such as the Institute's degree in Popular Music Performance.

The focus of this programme is very much on live performance within the band environment. Learners will spend time forming bands, selecting repertoire and organizing gigs, in the process developing the skills necessary to develop sustainable careers in the music industry.

You will be involved in a variety of activities ranging from traditional instrument-specific, classroom based lessons to performance based workshops. These are taught and supervised by a faculty who are all current, active professionals which, in a constantly moving industry helps to ensure that course content is always highly relevant to the specific needs of learners. Additionally, group sizes are always consistent with the most effective delivery of each particular unit, ensuring each learner receives the optimum level of individual attention without sacrificing the benefits derived from group learning.

As well as focusing on instrumental skills, throughout the programme students will address the broader aspects of personal development and training such as moral, ethical, social and cultural issues in order to understand how the power of music can be used as a catalyst for both personal improvement, and social and cultural enrichment.

GENERAL COURSE INFORMATION

* Tuition fees fully funded for students aged 16-18 years. Students will however be required to pay an additional charge to cover specialist materials and support activities. Levels of funding may vary according to changes in government policy.

COURSE OUTLINES:

Click here to download the 2008 Prospectus with the Diploma Course Outline.

These activities are supported by a range of classes focusing on six main areas:

1. Core Skills

These classes will develop the fundamental skills that learners will require to progress on their instrument:

• Instrumental Techniques

This unit is designed to remove the technical barriers which restrict self expression on the instrument and ultimately empower students to deliver professional performances in a variety of situations. It focuses on two main areas: physically being able play or sing with the fluidity, dexterity and authority of a seasoned performer, and arriving at that point through logical, structured practice.

• Reading Skills

Musical notation is one of the most effective ways of communicating musical information and for aspiring professionals the ability to read and interpret different forms of musical notation is indispensable. This unit will help learners develop the skills necessary to deal with the challenges of reading and notating music in a variety of situations from the classroom to the recording session.

• Harmony & Theory

An understanding of the fundamental principles of music is essential for all musicians and this class will equip learners with all of the knowledge that they need to effectively develop their creative and technical skills on their instruments and communicate their musical ideas to other musicians.

• Aural & Transcribing

The process of making music is concerned with the organization of sound and the ability to identify these sounds and the ways in which they are organized is a critical skill for all aspiring musicians. This unit will help learners develop the skills to recognize and discuss chord structures, rhythmic structures and harmonies.

2. Humanities

These units focus on many of the historical, social, philosophical and cultural issues relating to the study of music and help develop analytical and critical skills which are highly transferable to different roles within the music industry:

• History of Popular Music - Closely linked to Music & Society this unit helps learners develop an understanding of popular music in its historical context. In practical terms, it informs much of what is covered in the Styles units, providing the broader understanding required for convincing, authentic stylistic performance.
• Music & Society - Music like all art forms is inextricably connected to the society in which it is created and this unit explores this relationship. Understanding how various social, political and cultural factors have influenced the evolution of Western popular music, as well as the way in which music in turn has exerted an influence over society, is essential component of any serious music education.
• Music Business - The music industry encompasses a wide range of occupations from artists, producers and sound engineers to publishers, managers and lawyers, all of whom have specialist knowledge of their individual roles within the industry. This unit will equip learners with an understanding of their role within the industry and how it interacts with that of others.

In addition, it will make them aware of pertinent issues such as royalties, copyright, contracts, marketing, etc.

3. Stylistic Studies

These units are designed to equip learners with an in-depth understanding of the issues associated with authentic performance of a variety of key styles:

• Styles - Professional musicians study a wide range of musical styles for a number of reasons: to be able to replicate different styles with authenticity and authority when required, therefore extending their employment opportunities; and to inform the development of their own unique style or 'voice', a characteristic possessed by all great musicians.

This unit will give learners an overview of a broad range of styles that they are likely to encounter in a professional context. These include blues, country, rock, soul, dance, R'n'B, rap, funk, urban and new wave styles of music.

4. Live Performance

These units provide students with the opportunity to develop the skills necessary to authoritatively perform in front of an audience, at the same time consolidating much of what is learned in other classes:

• Live Performance Classes - Most musicians spend the majority of their musical careers performing with other musicians. To help develop the skills necessary for this, these practical units explore the nature of group performance by allowing learners to become part of a musical ensemble and focus on the technical and creative skills required to deliver high quality live performances in a range of styles.
• Pop Music Project - Synthesizing many of the ideas developed in previous units, this class explores the numerous issues relating to the planning and execution of a live music event. Learners will develop an understanding of the organizational process, as well as their personal role within in it. Additionally, learners will understand the importance of issues such as health and safety, financial planning, working to deadlines, resource management and leadership.

5. Composition

These units help learners acquire the fundamental compositional skills, encouraging them to explore their own creative capabilities through the art of songwriting:

• Songwriting - There are ever increasing avenues of opportunity available to those musicians with the skills to compose music. The record industry needs songs; TV and radio stations need jingles, theme tunes and incidental music; and even computer games need music. This unit explores a range of techniques at each stage of the compositional process which will be of value to all aspiring composers regardless of stylistic interests.

6. Extra Curricula Activities

At The Institute we share your passion for music and by choosing to continue your music education with us you will become a valued member of a musical community. Consequently, in addition to time tabled studies, learners are encouraged to participate in a range of extra-curricula activities designed to enhance and reinforce the learning experience. These include masterclasses, clinics, recitals, and participation in jam nights, open days, faculty led ensembles and many external musical events.

Please contact us for more information regarding this course.