Level: 1 and 2
Unit type: Optional Specialist
Guided learning hours: 30
Assessment type: Internal
Have you ever wondered who writes the music that surrounds us? Music is everywhere, written every day to be used in TV, film and advertising, as well as for pleasure and for profit. Being a composer in the 21st century is about being able to respond quickly and appropriately to briefs and in a market place of intense competition, coming up with an appropriate composition on a short timescale is vital.
This unit will require you to develop a portfolio of ideas, some of which will be developed, and one of which will be completed. You will discover a range of compositional techniques and produce contrasting musical ideas to develop your compositional expertise.
An idea might take the form of a short melodic motif, a chord progression or a rhythmic idea. Ideas can be short or long you will consider the different ways in which these ideas could form the basis for a complete piece of music.
You will be introduced to ways to extend, develop and shape music that suits different situations. Briefs will be used to present you with real-life compositional challenges that may require the composition of a very short piece, e.g. for a 20 second TV advert, or a more extended composition, e.g. for a film scene.
Above all, this unit is about the creation of music in the here and now. You will be encouraged to find your own creative routes through the compositional process and ultimately begin to develop your own creative voice.
In this unit you will:
Click here for the official assignment brief.
Click here for the full success criteria.
Click here to see what evidence you will need to have in your portfolio.