Laptop Musicianship Lesson Plan
Week 1
Topics to be covered:
Introduction to the module. Use of the module guide. An overview of the musical possibilities of the laptop. Blogging and Patchwork text writing: working little but often. Introducing Ixi Quarks.
Activities with tutor:
Introduction to resources. Logic Audio, Supercollider and MaxMSP. Small speaker issues and recommendations. Blogging the process: student online patchwork text keeping.
Student work to be completed in their own time:
For music theory refresher/training follow lessons on this website:
http://www.musictheory.net
Google ‘laptop orchestra’ to see the diversity of laptop ensembles across the world!
Students blog their first patchwork text element (PTE). Use of any media is permitted. More guidance to be given in class.
Week 2
Topics to be covered:
Tonal Sound Objects I: Ensemble Amplification and first steps with tonal sound objects. Basic Waves.
Activities with tutor:
Introduction to chord building and coordination between laptops pitch vs. timbre diversity
Student work to be completed in their own time:
Students construct possible chord progressions with simple waves distributed among the laptop group (sine, pulse, saw, triangle). Create PTE on discoveries relating to this class.
Week 3
Topics to be covered:
Tonal Sound Objects II: Melodic elements, automatic arpegiations, granulations
Activities with tutor:
We study the basics of melody creation and understand how software elements allow us to manipulate melodic ideas by practical exercises in class.
Student work to be completed in their own time:
Students explore Ixi quarks as software tools that allow them to put in practice ideas gained in class. They bring piece sketches for next class.
Create PTE on discoveries relating to this class.
Week 4
Topics to be covered:
Some continuation of w3.
Rhythmic Elements: Beats, glitching and re-recording.
Activities with tutor:
testing of student ideas with the group, dealing with issues arising.
Student work to be completed in their own time:
To look for noise/sound sources that may have rythmic elements so we can test them with the group on the following session
Create PTE on discoveries relating to this class.
Week 5
Topics to be covered:
Rhythmic elements, coordinating laptops: practical issues. Rhythmic roles. Conducting an ensemble: Cues vs. beats. Networking.
Activities with tutor:
More testing of student ideas with the group, dealing with issues arising. We examine ways in which we can document and sketch our ideas.
Student work to be completed in their own time:
Task 1 (t1): Students create a piece for the class ensemble using the techniques and resources they have acquired so far. They must think of performance issues. More guidance will be given in class.Create PTE on discoveries relating to this class.
Week 6
Topics to be covered:
Evaluating Task 1, together as a class.
Activities with tutor:
We look at student’s work and assess how succesful various ideas are. Recommendations are made.
Student work to be completed in their own time:
Students incorporate ideas from this session into their final sketch.
Create PTE on t1 and publish it online.
Week 7
Topics to be covered:
Sound Essays: Exploring sound objects in a group.
Activities with tutor:
Set sound objects are given to the class and students improvise ensemble treatments of different aspects of the sound objects using their preferred software.
Student work to be completed in their own time:
Students begin to compile their own useful objects for further explorations in class.
Create PTE on discoveries relating to this class.
Week 8
Topics to be covered:
Guided research week
Activities with tutor:
Students dedicate this week to reflecting on their patchwork so far and blogging new ideas and avenues for further exploration
Student work to be completed in their own time:
Begin work on a 2nd task (t2) which incorporates sound essays into everything learnt so far. PTE compiled up to this point are examined and perfected, new elements are added that reflect on what has been discussed in class during these last 8 weeks. Students recommend new directions to the tutor and the class.
Week 9
Topics to be covered:
Student informed week
Activities with tutor:
This week we examine the agenda set by students in the preceeding week and listen to brief presentations of their ideas and views on laptop musicianship.
Student work to be completed in their own time:
Continue work on t2.
Create PTE on discoveries relating to this class.
Week 10
Topics to be covered:
Evaluating Task 2, together as a class.
Activities with tutor:
we look at student’s work and assess how succesful various ideas are. Recommendations are made.
Student work to be completed in their own time:
Students incorporate ideas from this session into their final sketch.
Create PTE on t2 and publish it online.
Week 11
Topics to be covered:
Student presentations of portfolios of tasks and PTE for evaluation and discussion
Activities with tutor:
Discussion and self reflection on points made in class. Tutor comments on patchwork media published so far.
Student work to be completed in their own time:
Summarising: threading your patchwork text elements.
Week 12
Topics to be covered:
Finalising the portfolio
Activities with tutor:
Student presentations of portfolios for evaluation and discussion
Student work to be completed in their own time:
Incorporating ideas discussed in class, preparing for submission. Finalising your patchwork text elements and your compositions (task 1 and 2). Compile all your patchwork contributions into one multimedia document that can be submitted on CD for the hand in: Tuesday 16th December, before 1pm at the Student Information Centre.
