Principal Study Traditional Music 2

The principal areas within Stage 1 on which you focused depending on your goals and discipline – solo performance, collaborative performance or a mixture of the two – continue in Stage 2, with the addition of the requirement to undertake a substantial, self-defined specialist area of practice-based research in the form of an Independent Project. This project culminates in live performance supported by written critical commentary, demonstrating clear synthesis of different kinds of knowledge in-and-through practice.

In Stage 2 you will decide in negotiation with your Principal Study tutor and the Head of Traditional Music the theme of your Independent Project and will receive supervision as it progresses. You will retain the freedom to choose to develop your knowledge and skills through live performance, studio recorded performance and the composition and/or arrangement of new traditional-idiom works.

Module aims

This module is designed to:

• Foster advanced technical and expressive mastery in the specialist area within Scottish (or related) traditional music
• Develop a mature and individual musical personality and provide opportunities for its projection in-and-through practice
• Expand a knowledge base that supports understanding and facilitates the solving of complex musical problems in Scottish traditional music
• Consolidate the skills to sustain fulfilling, lifelong interpretation of Scottish (or related) traditional music, leading to informed performance at a professional level and potentially leading to further higher degrees and research

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this module you will be able to:

• LO1 Show advanced technical and expressive mastery in your principal study
• LO2 Project a mature and individual musical personality in-and-through your principal study
• LO3 Employ critical thinking in-and-through the process of making music

Assessment

Assessment 1: Performance B (30%)

Assessed LOs: 1, 2, 3.

Assessment 2: Performance A (70%)

Assessed LOs: 1, 2, 3.

Further information on assessment choices may be found in the Assessment Specifications](/assessments/#assessment-specifications-by-department).

Assessment criteria

Assessors will look for:

LO1 – Demonstrate advanced technical and expressive mastery in your principal study

• musicality in relation to technique (technical freedom and mastery to realise musical intent)
• expressive qualities vis-à-vis style and repertoire
• agility and rhythmic fluency
• range and quality of production / projection of sound / tone / timbre
• exploitation of the capabilities of the instrument
• melodic shaping, line and texture
• dynamic range and shaping
• accuracy (technical and textual)
• pronunciation/scansion/diction/breathing (Gaelic or Scots Song)

LO2 – Project a mature and individual musical personality in-and-through your principal study

• projection and clarity of a unique idiomatic voice
• committed, communicative and engaging response to the music
• performances which can challenge both the artist and audience
• creativity in performance
• ability to communicate maturely and fluently in live contexts
• give and take in ensemble partnerships
• in the creation of new work:
  • work rooted in engagement with and awareness of trad/folk forms and structures
  • clear understanding of style, idiom, colour and balance
  • effective and imaginative use of materials
  • willingness to experiment

LO3 – Employ critical and contextual thinking in synthesis with performance to demonstrate the deepening of your practice

• quality and projection of artistic vision
• depth of research, reflection and scholarship
• ability to evaluate current ideas and issues within your area of specialism
• understanding of genre, style and idiom
• informed programme choices
• knowledge of the repertoire
• contribution to audience experience

In relation to Studio Recording Projects:

• an informed and considered choice of recorded sound quality appropriate to the repertoire
• an informed and considered choice of editing points appropriate to the recording
• ownership of and engagement in all aspects of process
• rationale for repertoire and interpretation, sound quality and edit points
• an understanding of context with reference to other recordings

Feedback

You will receive immediate verbal feedback in the course of your one-to-one lessons. In the final lesson of Terms 1 and 2, you will undergo a Recital Audition assessment as outlined in the Traditional Music Departmental Handbook. This will be followed in each case by formal written feedback by your tutor, which will be recorded as part of your Supporting Studies profile.

You will receive a written feedback report on each A and B assessment.

Resources

Essential

Key resources will be recommended by principal study tutors.

Summary details

Module title	Principal Study Traditional Music 2
SCQF level	11
Credit rating	90 SCQF (45 ECTS)
Total notional student effort hours	900
Status	Core
Module coordinator	Head of Department
Pre-requisites	Principal Study Traditional Music 1
Co-requisites	Supporting Studies 2
Anti-requisites	None
Learning modes	Indicative hours
Scheduled study	30 (minimum)
Independent study	870 (maximum)
Total notional student effort	900