Percussion: Techniques, notation, improvisation
| Title | Κρουστά Όργανα: Τεχνικές, σημειογραφία, αυτοσχεδιασμός / Percussion: Techniques, notation, improvisation |
| Code | ΜΠ2008 |
| Faculty | Fine Arts |
| School | Music Studies |
| Cycle / Level | 1st / Undergraduate |
| Teaching Period | Spring |
| Coordinator | Vladimiros Symeonidis |
| Common | No |
| Status | Active |
| Course ID | 600018810 |
Programme of Study: PPS Tmīmatos Mousikṓn Spoudṓn (2017-sīmera)
Registered students: 18
| Orientation | Attendance Type | Semester | Year | ECTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Musicology / Music Education | Elective Courses | 6 | 3 | 4 |
| Music Composition | Elective Courses | 6 | 3 | 4 |
| Academic Year | 2019 – 2020 |
| Class Period | Spring |
| Instructors from Other Categories |
|
| Weekly Hours | 3 |
| Total Hours | 39 |
| Class ID | 600158062
|
Class Schedule
| Building | Τμήμα Μουσικών Σπουδών (Θέρμη) |
| Floor | Ισόγειο |
| Hall | Γραφείο καθηγητή (425) |
| Calendar | Πέμπτη 15:00 έως 19:00 |
Course Type 2021
Skills Development
Course Type 2011-2015
Specific Foundation / Core
Digital Course Content
- e-Study Guide https://qa.auth.gr/en/class/1/600158062
Learning Outcomes
1.the students will acquire the basic knowledge around the ordinary techniques of performance on percussion instruments, both of the classical orchestra and of other idioms (drums, log drum, riqq, …), as well as extended techniques which are utilized in more modern repertoire and/or by improvisers.
2.For the aforementioned techniques there will be mapping on notation examples, where this is possible and
the discourse on the increasingly demand of new and enriched notation which can illustrate the dexterity of today’s musicians will be encouraged.
3.They will practice on the available instruments of the department as: performers (playing existing compositions or new, personal ones) and improvisers (interpreting graphic scores, modal improvisation and/or free). The traditional jazz approach is also encouraged, where applicable.
4.They will have discussed on several theories regarding improvisation and, finally
5.they will acquire a small but substantial experience as improvisers since they will perform in each lesson. Electronic equipment will also be used (hardware, software) expanding, thus, even more their timbral palette.
General Competences
- Apply knowledge in practice
- Work autonomously
- Work in teams
- Work in an interdisciplinary team
- Advance free, creative and causative thinking
Course Content (Syllabus)
The lesson is divided in three axes (techniques, notation, improvisation) but in every lesson there will be cross-reference in all three subjects with the students’ practice on the available instruments of the department. Ordinary and extended performance techniques are being understood through audio and video excerpts and the students’ experimentation on the actual instruments. The evolving notation is approached via the study of the standard repertoire of classical percussion. Both the performance techniques and the (need for) notation are reached with the help of organized and/or free impro. The latter will be the outcome, in each lesson, of the discourse on articles and recordings of improvisations, compositions encompassing improvisation or compositions that sound as improvisations (as Brian Ferneyhough’s Bone Alphabet). Technology, both software (Soundtoys) and hardware (EHX Memory Man with Hazarai) which permutate the instruments’ sound, and field recorders will help even more the lesson’s progress.
Keywords
Percussion, notation, improvisation
Educational Material Types
- Notes
- Slide presentations
- Video lectures
- Audio
- Multimedia
- Interactive excersises
Use of Information and Communication Technologies
Use of ICT
- Use of ICT in Course Teaching
- Use of ICT in Laboratory Teaching
- Use of ICT in Communication with Students
Course Organization
| Activities | Workload | ECTS | Individual | Teamwork | Erasmus |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lectures | 26 | 0.9 | |||
| Laboratory Work | 13 | 0.4 | |||
| Reading Assigment | 13 | 0.4 | |||
| Internship | 4 | 0.1 | |||
| Artistic Workshop | 13 | 0.4 | |||
| Field trips and participation in conferences / seminars / activities | 6 | 0.2 | |||
| Project | 3 | 0.1 | |||
| Artistic creation | 13 | 0.4 | |||
| Exams | 3 | 0.1 | |||
| Practice | 26 | 0.9 | |||
| Total | 120 | 4 |
Student Assessment
Description
The students are called to: i. write a test on issues that have been discussed during the lessons such as techniques (e.g. dead stroke, scraping, plucking, production of harmonics), notation (of standard compositions for percussion), names of exceptional musicians (e.e. Casey Cangelosi, Gary Burton, Richard Spaven) and theories on improvisation.
ii. perform a short improvisation which they will comment on later on. Both their impro and their comments will be recorded and the sum of the recordings will be archived in the department and it will be sent to them.
Student Assessment methods
- Written Exam with Multiple Choice Questions (Formative)
- Written Exam with Short Answer Questions (Formative)
- Performance / Staging (Formative)
- Artistic Performance (Formative)
- Recording
Bibliography
Additional bibliography for study
Adler, S., Hesteraan, P. (2002). The study of orchestration. New York : W.W. Norton, 2002
Bailey, D. (1980). Improvisation : its nature and practice in music, New York : Da Capo Press, 1993. ©1992.
Solomon, S. Z (2016). How to write for percussion : a comprehensive guide to percussion composition. New York : Oxford University Press, 2016, [2019].
Διαδικτυακές πηγές (ενδεικτικά, ημερομηνία ανάσυρσης, 12/1/2020):
ARGO
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48F4a5qEDC0
Casey Cangelosi
https://www.caseycangelosi.com/
Meinl Cymbals - Gerwin Eisenhauer “Marla’s Mind“
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WftaKFRGKPA
Panayiotis Kokoras / Paranormal for 3 Snare Drums
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zN3NTaB7AFw
The Percussion Family
https://www.orsymphony.org/learning-community/instruments/percussion/
Last Update
05-04-2022
