Module Catalogue 2024/25

Pre Requisite Comment

Students wishing to take the module must write a short justification for why they wish to take the module based on their current and previous musical practice and listening, alongside their broader studies.

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

To successfully deliver several ‘live recording‘ DJ mixes with various equipment and varying criteria.
To successfully compose for turntables, as a soloist and in a small group.

Outline Of Syllabus

A split of lectures and practical workshops focusing on the history of DJ Mixing with progression in to Turntablism.
The lectures will include group analysis, music theory and compositional experiments. Practical workshops will include working solo and as groups. Tasks set clearly each week with dedicated studio and time needed for each student to fulfil work aims for the following week.
The course will provide a theoretically correct and up to date learning of DJing in a professional context, where students will make several mixes with practical applications and learn to perform and compose experimental turntablist works.

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

- Intricate understanding of the history of DJing and style of mixing through different genres/decades, technology, performances, repertoire and literature.
- Demonstrative knowledge of applied Djing mixing techniques, through Vinyl and Digital Djing, advancing listening and compositional skills through analysis, practice and reflective and reflexive composition.
- Historical knowledge of Djing techniques, further developed through applied frameworks of processes in improvisation and composition to further experimentation for individuals to develop unique musical identities and characters.
- An in-depth knowledge of the history of Turntablism (both hip hop and experimental/punk histories) in view of cultural, musical, technical and studio based practices.
- Applied knowledge of compositional techniques and forms in Turntablism through solo and group discussions, research and practical demonstrations.

Intended Skill Outcomes

Mixing
-       To make a vinyl only mix (20 mins)
-       To make a Digital Vinyl / CDJ / Digital ‘quick mix’ (10 mins)
-       To make a longer beat-matched mix (30 mins)
-       To make an experimental mix (30 mins)

Turntablism
To compose and perform
-       1 x 60 second instrumental skratch routine
-       2 x 60 second solo scratch routines
-       2 x 60 second battle routines in a battle/competition scenario
-       2 x 60 second beat juggle routines
-       1 x collaborative team routine 3 minutes.


2 x Reflective logs (1000 words) referencing and reflecting on compositional processes.

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

The teaching methods reflect the fact that DJing is a practical skill that requires hands-on tuition. Teaching is a combination of small groups and one to one tutoring. Students are expected to undertake short weekly practice sessions, which they will be able to do in the dedicated DJ Studio space.
Lectures provide essential historical, social, technological and professional context to the practical sessions.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The reflective logs tests students' awareness of their developing skills and enables them to place their practice in a professional context. The music submissions test the practical skills developed during the module in a manner comparable to recitals on other performance modules.
The creative project gives participants the opportunity to demonstrate their understanding whilst applying creativity through practical means.

General Notes

Technician support is needed prior to semester 1, with the set up of a dedicated DJ space for this module (as per 2019-2020). This has been agreed in principle with the Music Technicians.
The module can only run when the music technicians are present in the music studios for technical support, so the sessions must be timetabled for after 10am (when the music technicians begin work) for this reason.
The evaluation of the turntablism elements - the practical/lab report (15 mins) needs to be a recorded (audio) performance, that will have a supporting 1000 word reflective log.

Resit requirements can be recorded performances of the students performing in the university music department.