Syllabus

Course Number: UHON 395H (MUSC) – Credit Hours: 3 – in person

Instructor: Dr. Brian Moore 358 WMB – brian.moore@unl.edu

Title: Creative Thinking in Music via Digital Audio Workstations (DAW): Music as art & science

Catalog Description: Music creation in the 21st century has been transformed by the integration of digital audio, MIDI, 2D & 3D media and Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) software, along with multiple distribution channels like live shows, on-demand streaming, and digital mediums. Despite these technological and scientific advancements, the essence of music as an art form remains rooted in fundamental elements. This seminar will explore the art and science in music through hands-on music creation and production.

Prerequisites: none

Text and References: Available via Canvas

ACE Learning Outcome: ACE 7: Use knowledge, theories, or methods appropriate to the arts to understand their context and significance.

Course Objectives: With a focus on imposing music via Digital Audio Workshop software, course objectives center on music as art and music as science.

1. Theories of how we perceive and appreciate music (aesthetics, acoustics and perception)
2. The elements of music as an art form that is temporal, especially rhythm, harmony, melody, and form.
3. Provide basic knowledge and skills in the use of DAW technology for music processing (Including Improvisation & composition).
4. Engage creative thinking in music via composing original songs and pieces. Engage in critical thinking in refining and reworking musical ideas as well as reflecting on the composing process.
5. Understand the legal and ethical issues regarding original music in the digital age.

Instructional Activities: See Schedule

Field/Clinical Experiences: None

Grade Rules: Please note that in order for this course to count as Honors credit, you must earn a B- or better.

University Policies: http://go.unl.edu/coursepolicies

Instructional Continuity: If in person classes are canceled, you will be notified of the instructional continuity plan for this class via an Announcement in Canvas. This announcement will detail all necessary information and due dates (if appropriate).

ACE Information: ACE (General Education) Program Requirements:

By passing this course, you will fulfill ACE Learning Outcome 7: Use knowledge, theories, or methods appropriate to the arts to understand their context and significance. Through this course, you will have the opportunity to practice this outcome through several assignments that also includes a Signature Assignment. You will have opportunity to demonstrate mastery of the ACE 7 outcome through this assignment (see next section).

Assignments

Project #1: Music Profile Survey [5%] – Canvas survey (completed in class) that talks about yourself and your musical interests and past experiences.

Project #2A, 2B, 2C: loop creation [15% total] – A: beat, B: progression, C: bass riff

Project #3: Collaborative Concept EP Project [20%] (groups of 4 – A B C D – everyone creates a track at different phases (1-beat, 2-progression, 3-bass riff, 4-melody)

Project #4: Original Song & Artwork [20%] – also an ACE 7 Signature Assignment

NOTE: You will submit TWO files

(1) your production file (Logic Pro document) WITH a journal of your work that begins with your process based on the “Curricular Map” from the last page of the textbook – Add this via the NotePad feature of the software, and

(2) a single audio file ‘published’ via Music.app (RVB 213) that includes (A) album art work, (B) complete song info [title, composer, artist, album title, genre], and (C) program notes via the lyrics feature of Music.app. NOTE: your program notes are NOT the same as your process journal!

Your piece should involve the following components/features/tracks:

• Use of “rhythm” (i.e. Smart Drums, Drummer, and/or your own ‘kit’)
• Use of “texture” via loops and/or the sampler instrument to provide background – also consider your choice of instruments and even stacked/double instruments
• Use of “harmony” (i.e. Smart Guitar or Smart Keyboard or arpeggiator) that uses a series (progression) of different chords
• Consider use of “melody” that uses notes from your chords from your harmony progression.
• Form: Consider at least three sections (which can be copies!) – use sections or Arrangement track

OPTION: you may check out a MIDI keyboard/adapter for use during the project OR make use of RVB 213 for that purpose

Final Project [25%]

As long as this includes original music, create what you’d like!!

You will need to submit…

1. the project (in a ‘published’ form) – this will probably be an .m4a or .m4v (audio or video) file
2. short description of the project (either as text entry or an attached document)
3. include credits for any content that isn’t original to you…
4. original document used to create your project (for example, .logicx)

NOTE: if you are using Logic Pro, you may include items 2 and 3 in the NotePad… For any other DAW please attach a separate document…

You may use any DAW you’d like AND you may include audio or video as part of this project (recording yourself singing or playing an instrument for example)

Some Ideas if you choose some kind of Multimedia Project – Create a multi-media piece that includes a new original piece of music composed by you with some kind of visual presentation. Consider a project that targets mobile devices, especially phones or tablets or web pages.

Approaches:

• “Music Video” Approach – you compose your music first and then add visual content (i.e. photos, video, animations) to create a music video. The music becomes the inspiration for the visual(s)…
• “Film Score” Approach – you create your video first and then compose your music to ‘fit’ with the video – in short, you are scoring a film. Your visuals become the inspiration for your music…
• Multi-Media Approach – you create your visuals and music in parallel. The primary elements of your work (visuals and music) inspire and interact with each other.

Ideas:

• animation – use drawing or animation techniques where there are ‘keyframes’ set against your music. You can often use software to ‘fill in the gaps’ – Keynote makes this possible. You may also use video footage conceived of in segments set against these key frames. Fits the”Music Video Approach” [also see stop motion below…]
• movie – use a video camera (or smart phone, tablet, checkout a camera from RVB 213) to shoot and edit digital video (aka ‘movie’). You then use ‘music scoring software/techniques (such as the Movie Track in Logic Pro) to create the music against the video. Fits the”Film Score Approach”
• slideshow – use photos with transitions and effects (similar to a Keynote presentation) to create the video track. In this scenario, your music creates a mood or texture where exact timing of images is usually not critical. This approach can often be realized through your laptop’s ‘photo app’. Fits the Multi-Media Approach.
• stop-motion – create a ‘stop action’ type of video. Similar to the slideshow approach except the pictures are a set of sequence shots… Suggest you use iPad or smart phone with ‘stop motion’ software.
• hybrid – any combination of the above ideas…

SUBMISSION: (1) a video file (.m4v best) NOTE: be sure to include an opening title (with your name!) and closing credits, especially if you use visuals from non-original sources and (2) BRIEF description of the project (can be text entry or pdf) and (3) the DAW document used for the music (probably Logic)

Music Note (no pun intended!) – your music should be created predominantly via MIDI techniques however you may use ANY style, timbres, approaches you desire. The use of audio should be reserved for recording yourself or others performing music you’ve composed for this project

Final Survey [5%]

You will be asked to reflect on projects that were the most and least challenging for you as well as the following essay question “ACE 7 Question: What do you understand is the context and significance of the arts (specifically music) in relation to you as a person from a personal and professional perspective? – In short, share your personal and/or profession reflection(s) regarding music’s context and significance.”

Quizzes on Readings [10%]

Throughout the course, you will be asked to read various articles and narratives and complete quizzes (via Canvas) as assigned.

Projects & Assignments:

Readings:

1. Bennett, Stan (1976) “The Process of Musical Creation: Interviews with Eight Composers” Journal of Research in Music Education, Vol. 24, No. 1 (Spring, 1976), pp. 3-13 Published by: Sage Publications, Inc. on behalf of MENC: The National Association for Music Education.
2. Bruno, Carmen (2022) Creativity in the Design Process, “Chapter 3: Digital Creativity Dimension: A New Domain for Creativity” Springer Series in Design and Innovation 18, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-87258-8_3
3. Creativity. (2017, December 8). New World Encyclopedia. Retrieved 19:52, May 28, 2023 from http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/p/index.php?title=Creativity&oldid=1008182
4. Gardner, Howard (2013), “Multiple Intelligences in a Nutshell” – http://multipleintelligencesoasis.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/in-a-nutshell-minh.pdf
5. Hickey, Maud and Peter Webster (2001) “Creative Thinking in Music” Music Educators Journal; Jul 2001, Vol. 88 Issue 1.
6. Moore, Brian (2024) “Music, Aesthetics, and Elements” (unpublished)
7. Woody, Robert H. (2022) “The Two Sides of Musical Creativity” (Jan 2022) Blog for Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/live-in-concert/202201/the-two-sides-musical-creativity?eml

Other: Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Education (April 2018) “Creativity in Education”