PFET 370 PERFORMANCE EAR TRAINING FOR PERCUSSION 1

 

 

Instructor:  _________________________________________

 

                        Mailbox: ________                             Phone:  ________

 

                        Office:  _______                                 Office hours:  ____________

 

Course Chair: Steve Prosser

 

Course Description:  Ear training with an emphasis on practical performance experience.  Recognizing pitch, rhythm, harmony, and timbre by ear and responding on the student's instrument in class.  Some dictation.  Some non-syllabic sight singing.

 

Course Objective:  PFET 370 and 371 form a two-course group whose intent is to improve the student's aural skills in connection with the principal instrument.  Upon satisfactory completion of this course the student will be better able to instrumentally reproduce what is heard both internally and externally.

 

Required Textbook:  No purchase required.

 

Homework, Projects, Out-of-class Preparation:  Active class participation is vital to attain maximum benefit.  Projects will be assigned regularly to be worked on throughout the term and performed in class.  In order to maintain satisfactory standing in this class, approximately two to three hours per week of out-of-class preparation are recommended.

 

Midterms:  March 8-12

Final Exams: May 3-7

 

Grading Criteria:

A  (90-100)     Superior, Exceptional; control of course material enables excellent production.

B  (80-89)       Good; grasp of material enables above-average production.

C  (70-79)       Average; assimilation of material enables acceptable production.

D  (60-69)       Below Average; exposure to material enables poor, but passable production.

F  (below 60)   Not passing; assimilation of material insufficient to demonstrate acceptable productive capacity.

 

Final Grade Determination:  Your final grade will be determined by considering the following components at the indicated weights:

30%     Attendance and attitude

30%     Class participation and performance

40%     Projects

 

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Attendance Policy:  If your fourth unexcused absence occurs before the "W" deadline (see below), the instructor may withdraw you from the course.  If your fourth unexcused absence occurs after this deadline, a course grade of F may result.  Note that attendance figures in final grade determination.  Withdrawal is not automatic.  It is ultimately your responsibility to initiate withdrawal proceedings prior to the "W" deadline.  In case of doubt, ask the instructor or the Counseling Center.

 

Deadline for Course Withdrawal:  5:00 pm Friday, March 26, 2004.  Neither the instructor nor the student may initiate a "W" after that date.

 

Topical Course Outline

 

For the 12-week summer semester, course topics shown on this outline will be rearranged to present in the shorter term.  A somewhat accelerated pacing will eliminate any omission of course material.

 

1.         a. Introduction: explanation of topics to be covered and student requirements for completion of the course; brief description of projects to be performed.

Assignments: #1 (due next week) 3-5 minute improvised cymbal solo.  #2 (due soon) percussion ensemble composition, for any size group, to be played in class - composer does not perform.

b. Explanation of music listening skills, including how to listen and what to listen for in ones own playing; discussion of listening styles (objective/subjective).

Assignment: (due each week) student discussion about individual listening experiences of the past week.

2.         a. Listen to tapes: identification and discussion of style, form, and instrumentation; performance of assignment #1.

b. Student discussion of individual listening experiences.

3.         a. Listen to tapes (as above); complete #1; begin #2.

b. Student discussion of individual listening experiences.

c. Rhythmic dictation: speak a phrase using words, then play it on instrument (snare drum).

4.         a. Continue assignment #2.  Assignment #3:  play a specific bebop line or head on the instrument (snare drum); discuss authenticity of style and attitude.

b. Student discussion of individual listening experiences.

c. Rhythmic dictation - improvised "drum conversations" (one drum).

5.         a. Complete #2; perform #3.  Assignment #4: same as #3 with two sound sources.

b. Student discussion of individual listening experiences.

c. Rhythmic dictation - "drum melodies"

1.(specific):  2 part

2.(improvised):  2 part

6.         a. Complete #3 and #4.  Assignment #5: same as above using entire drum set.

b. Student discussion of individual listening experiences.

c.         Rhythmic dictation - "drum melodies" (as above).

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7.         a. Complete #5: discuss how the different set sounds are heard and their functions             (line, fill, etc.); discuss midterm project and/or exam.

b. Student discussion of individual listening experiences.

c. Review of all materials covered.

 

8.         Midterm projects and/or exam.

 

9.         a. Listen to tapes: (same as above).  Assignment #6: transcribe and perform excerpt of a non-drum solo.  Final exam assignment #9 (due finals week).

b. Student discussion of individual listening experiences.

c. Rhythmic dictation - (as above)

 

10.       a. Perform #6  Assignment #7: duet performance with another class member             demonstrate contrast.

b.Acoustics - discussion.

c.Rhythmic dictation: duplication of piano phrases on the drum set.

 

11.       a. Perform #7  Assignment #8: duet performance with another player (non drummer).

b. Student discussion of individual listening experiences.

c. Rhythmic dictation: duplication of string or horn phrases on drum set.

 

12.       Focus on acoustics - field trip.

 

13.       Discuss field trip; perform #8.

 

14.       Complete #8; review for final exams #9

 

15.       Final exams