Undergraduate Course: Musical Instruments (MUSI10077)
Course Outline
| School | Edinburgh College of Art |
College | College of Humanities and Social Science |
| Course type | Standard |
Availability | Available to all students |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 10 (Year 3 Undergraduate) |
Credits | 20 |
| Home subject area | Music |
Other subject area | None |
| Course website |
None |
Taught in Gaelic? | No |
| Course description | The class will meet in eleven weekly sessions, alternating between two-hour classroom sessions and visits to instrument-making workshops. In sessions 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9 the basic acoustics and operating principles of one type of instrument will be presented in a lecture; sessions 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 will consist of a visit to an instrument maker's workshop in which the maker will discuss and (if appropriate) demonstrate techniques. In sessions 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11 there will be student presentations on topics related to previous lectures and visits. The types of instrument to be discussed will be (typically) string, wind (woodwind, brasswind and the organ), percussion and electronic instruments. |
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
| Additional Costs | No |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | None |
| Displayed in Visiting Students Prospectus? | No |
Course Delivery Information
| Not being delivered |
Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes
1. Explain basic operating principles of:
a) stringed instruments; review theories of bow-string interaction, explain significance of vibration modes of body;
b) brass instruments; review theories of lip reed, explain influence of bore profile on the modes of vibration;
c) woodwind instruments; describe sound generating mechanisms of flute, clarinet, oboe; explain frequency-dependent behaviour of open side holes;
d) percussion instruments, give qualitative descriptions of vibration of an air-loaded drumskin, tubular bell, cymbal; discuss perception of pitch;
e) keyboard instruments.
2. Review literature in a prescribed topic in musical instrument acoustics; present seminar paper and write essay.
3. Describe evolution of principal techniques of manufacture of woodwind and brass instruments; discuss influence of materials of construction on performance.
4. Describe principal techniques used in making bowed and plucked stringed instruments; explain how constructional features of violin, viol, lute & guitar determine acoustical behaviour.
5. Describe the principles of operation of clavichord, harpsichord, piano; explain how constructional features affect the loudness & timbre of stringed keyboard instruments.
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Assessment Information
Write-ups of five workshop visits (15%)
Presentations (15%) to be scheduled by the Course Organiser.
One 3,000 word essay (30%) to be submitted by 16.00 on Wednesday of week 1 of semester 2.
One 2-hour degree examination (40%) in the May examination diet.
Visiting Student Assessment:
Write-ups of five workshop visits (25%)
Presentations (25%) to be scheduled by the Course Organiser.
One 3,000 word essay (50%) to be submitted by 16.00 on Wednesday of week 1 of semester 2.
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Special Arrangements
| None |
Additional Information
| Academic description |
Not entered |
| Syllabus |
Not entered |
| Transferable skills |
Not entered |
| Reading list |
D. Murray Campbell and Clive Greated, The Musician's Guide to Acoustics. London: Dent, 1987.
D. Murray Campbell, Clive Greated and Arnold Myers, Musical Instruments: History, Technology and Performance of Instruments of Western Music. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2004.
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| Study Abroad |
Not entered |
| Study Pattern |
Not entered |
| Keywords | Music, Musical Instruments, Instruments, String, Wind, Percussion, Electronic, Organ |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Arnold Myers
Tel: (0131 6)50 4367
Email: |
Course secretary | Mr Brad Herbert
Tel: (0131 6)50 2422
Email: |
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