IVC
Fall Semester-2002 Dr. Van A.
Decker
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Syllabus -
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A. Course Content: A study of computer hardware, sequencing software, and peripheral devices as they relate to composing music. Topics include: fundamentals of computers, synthesizers operations, MIDI sequencing, music notation, and Internet resources for musicians. Elementary piano skills and basic theory will also be taught so that each student can employ the elements of musical composition in a hands on, interactive way.
B. Required Materials:
1. How MIDI Works, 6th edition; Alexander, Peter Lawrence
2. Headphones (mini or 1/4 in plug type)
3. A Floppy Disk for backing up MIDI assignments
4. Notebook and Manuscript paper, a pencil and an eraser.
C. Attendance Policy: Regular class attendance is expected and recorded. Poor attendance will lower student’s grade. No other class sessions are required other than the two weekly meetings.
D. Computer Assignments: In the MIDI/Keyboard Lab, computer assignments using SONAR will be assigned weekly.
E. "In class" Presentations: During the semester each student will be asked to give several in class demonstrations of an aspect(s) of MIDI or SONAR software (TBA).
F. Grading
Computer Assignments 40%
Class Presentations 20%
Final Project/Concert 30%
Class Participation 10% (attendance)
G. Office Hrs: WALK-IN Hours: MTWThF - 11 to 12
BY APPOINTMENT Hours: MWF: 8 to 9, 3 to 4;
F: 1 to 2; T&Th: 12 to12:30,
3:30 to 4:30
Dr.
Van’s Office Phone: 352-6205 Email: vdecker@imperial.cc.ca.us
Accommodations: Any student with a documented disability (i.e., learning,
physical, psychological, vision, hearing, etc) who needs to arrange reasonable
accommodations must contact the instructor and Disable Student Programs and
Services at the beginning of the semester.
MIDI Composition –Course
Content
1. Notes, Rests: their construction and values
2. Beats: grouping of beats, bar lines, measures
3. Meter: simple and compound time signatures
4. Rhythmic notation
1. Musical alphabet; the Grand staff; Ledger lines
2. The Keyboard: the octave, whole and half steps,
accidentals,
enharmonic spellings
3. Major scale: its construction; scale degree names
4. Minor scale (natural, harmonic and melodic forms)
1. The triad: inversions, positions, doubling
2. Types of scales & triads: major minor, augmented,
diminished
3. Quality of triads AND scales in major and minor keys
4. How chords and scales fit together to create a musical
composition.
A. Leaning the
Roland“QS-8 & QS-7" Synthesizer (Homework & Tutorials)
1. Selecting Tones
2. Playing and Changing Drum Sets
3. The Keyboard Modes
4. Turning a chord into and Arpeggio
5. Adding effects: Chorus, Reverb, Vibrato
6. Portamento Effects
7. Using the Transposition and Key Shift buttons
B. Learning the “SONAR” MIDI sequencing program (Homework & Tutorials)
1. Memory Buttons
2.
The Counter & Time Formats
3.
Playback
4.
Patch Thru
5.
Recording
6.
Setting up “Step-Recording”
7.
Performing Step Entry
8.
The Track Window
9.
Looping
10
.The Chunks Window
11.
The Song Window
12.
Click/Flash & Memory
13.
The Markers Window
14.
The Events List
15.
Graphic Editing Window
16.
The Notation Editing Window
C. Methods of Composition
1. The significance of a Formal Structure
2. Application of Rhythmic Concepts
3. Scales and Harmonic compatibility
4. The importance of having a compositional intention
D. The Final Project
1. The Project Proposal (complete description of project)
2. One other media type must be employed: video, film,
dance, live performance, lighting effects, etc.
3. The MIDI Concert (TBA) - Attendance mandatory
4. The Cassette Tape and the Program Note
5. Accompanying documentation: Brief
Summary, Program Notes, Manuscript