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Introduction to Electronic Music (G6057)

Contact information: Nick Collins
Email: N.Collins[somehow]sussex.ac.uk
Where: Arundel 221 (Music Informatics Lab)

Teaching method: Tues 12-13 lecture, Fri 9-11 seminar
Assessment modes: essay, presentation, unseen examination

Course Outline

This course focuses on the history of electronic music, as broadly conceived to take in such topics as recordings, electronic instruments, musique concrete, elektronische Musik, electroacoustic music, analogue and digital synthesis, computer composition, audiovisuals, electronic dance music and electronica. Representations and technology for electronic music will be treated alongside historical material, though without assuming prior mathematical or Western score reading knowledge. Analytic approaches will also be investigated with further consideration of psychological factors important to the perception and cognition of such music.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, a successful student should be able to

1 Describe the main currents in electronic music;
2 Synthesise arguments concerning the possibilities and challenges of electronic music;
3 Analyse electronic music compositions with respect to historical trends, technological and perceptual characteristics, structural design and compositional aesthetics.

Course Overview by Weeks

WEEK LECTURE SEMINAR 1 SEMINAR 2
one Introduction to the Course Audio editing 1 Essay writing skills
two History of Recording Audio editing 2 Essay writing discussion
three Electronic Musical Instruments Interfaces, microphones First listening session
four 1950s Electronic Music Additive synthesis and mixing Analysis of Stockhausen
five From Analogue to Digital Analogue synth, Csound demo Computer software survey/taxonomy
six Into the mainstream Hardware hacking Presentation skills
seven Electronic Dance Music Tracker and DJ software Presentation practice
eight Electroacoustic Music Spatialisation, sound processing Presentation practice
nine Electronica Glitching software Presentation practice
ten Revision/essay support session Speech synthesis, vocal processing Second listening session
EASTER BREAK
eleven Analysis of Electronic Music Analysis tools 1 Aural analysis session
twelve Representations Analysis tools 2 Analysis of Xenakis
thirteen Audiovisuals and Broadcast Media Audiovisualisers Presentation support
fourteen Sonic Art and Digital Art Processing Presentation support
fifteen No lecture Exam revision Exam revision
sixteen Presentations Presentations Presentations