CE5159: Exploring the Blues

School Continuing and Professional Education
Department Code LEARN
Module Code CE5159
External Subject Code 100637
Number of Credits 10
Level L4
Language of Delivery English
Module Leader Dr Michelle Deininger
Semester Autumn Semester
Academic Year 2018/9

Outline Description of Module

This course is for musicians who have little or no experience of improvising and wish to give it a go. It looks at a number of different approaches to playing the blues, as well as a number of variations on the blues form, from the '3 chord trick' to more sophisticated structures. Participants will be encouraged to express themselves using a range of well-established strategies in a supportive group environment. Students will be introduced to the repertoire and performing styles of a variety of blues music and will be given ample opportunities to ‘jam’. All instruments and levels are welcome, but a basic level of competency is expected.

On completion of the module a student should be able to

Knowledge and Understanding:

By the end of the period of learning, the typical student will be able to:

 

  • Have the ability to discuss meaningfully the main stylistic features of improvised blues music.
  • Demonstrate a theoretical knowledge of some of the scales that are employed in such music, and show an ability to use these in practice.
  • Show, through performance, an awareness of the particular styles of improvised blues music.

 

 

Intellectual Skills:

By the end of the period of learning, the typical student will be able to:

  • Integrate information derived from classes, discussion and private study.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the broad contextual knowledge relevant to the topic.
  • Articulate a developing personal and critical stance in relation to relevant academic arguments.
  • Show ability to exercise judgement and make informed choices.

 

 

 

Discipline Specific (including practical) Skills:

By the end of the period of learning, the typical student will be able to:

  • Pursue independent academic enquiry.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the performance style of improvised modal music and, through performance on their own instrument, a basic competence of replicating a variety of styles authentically.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the interrelationship of analytical and contextual aspects of historical and practical study in music.

 

How the module will be delivered

This course is taught in 10, two-hour sessions, delivered on a weekly basis.

 

Teaching and learning are undertaken by means of small group teaching, in which fundamental information about the module topic – including contextual matters – is presented. Methods include aural analysis (recorded musical examples), presentation of material on video and/or DVD, and the practical study and demonstration of the styles and genres under discussion. One of the principal aims of this method is to stimulate students into discussion and debate, and further exploration.

 

Students are also expected to spend additional time in private reading, listening and practising

Skills that will be practised and developed

 

Skills that will be practised and developed

 

Academic Skills:

By the end of the period of learning, the typical student will have:

  • found relevant resources in the library and online;
  • assessed the reliability of different sources of information;
  • demonstrated a critical approach to academic source material.

 

Transferable/employability Skills:

By the end of the period of learning, the typical student will have shown that he/she can:

  • Work effectively as part of a group;
  • Present views and arguments clearly;
  • Communicate ideas and arguments effectively in oral and written form;
  • Assemble information and draw appropriate conclusions from it;
  • Make effective use of libraries and, when appropriate, the internet.

 

 

How the module will be assessed

Type of assessment           %          Contribution Title  Duration (if applicable)                                                                                                                Approx. date of Assessment

Written class test                 50          Class test based on scales and other stylistic elements.                                                                                                      Weeks 7-9

Solo or group performance 50           Performance can be in any blues style covered on the course, and appropriate to the student’s instrument.                      Weeks 7-9

 

Assessment Breakdown

Type % Title Duration(hrs)
Written Assessment 100 Exploring The Blues N/A

Syllabus content

The syllabus content will include:

 

  • The musical roots of the blues.
  • Theory: scales and other stylistic elements of the genre.
  • Practical study and demonstration of the blues style.
  • Solo or group performance of one or a collection of compositions in appropriate style.
  • Social and historical context in which improvised music and its main exponents can be situated and better understood.

 

 

Essential Reading and Resource List

Essential texts

 

Davis, Francis, The History of the Blues: The Roots, the Music, the People, 2nd edn (Da Capo Press, 2003)

 

Russell, Tony and Chris Smith, The Penguin Guide to Blues Recordings (Penguin, 2006)

 

The tutor will recommend specific audio and/or DVD recordings and documentaries.


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