Modules

Core Module Information
Module title: Practical Musicianship; Improvisation
SCQF level: 10:
SCQF credit value: 20.00
ECTS credit value: 10
Module code: MUS10141
Module leader: Haftor Medboe
School School of Arts and Creative Industries
Subject area group: Screen and Performance
Prerequisites

There are no pre-requisites for this module to be added
Description of module content:

This module encourages you to develop and enhance your autonomy as a musician with a focus on musical improvisation. Through theoretical underpinning and practical workshops, you will challenge normative assumptions around music-making and explore the political dimensions of creative practice while developing your confidence as an improviser in a variety of individual and collaborative contexts. Focus will be given to the acquisition of improvisational toolkits and approaches applied across diverse musical frameworks. Through engagement with academic theory alongside its practical applications, the module seeks to empower experimentation, risk and critical reflection in the presentation of fresh avenues for creative expression.
Learning Outcomes for module:

Upon completion of this module you will be able to

LO1: Examine relationships between relevant academic theory and technical toolkits in developing strategies for improvisation in a variety of musical contexts.

LO2: Explore the relationship between instrumental proficiency, creative intent, and real-time perception of individual actions when originating or responding to musical ideas.

LO3: Employ improvisation as a catalyst towards achieving autonomous creative freedom while reflecting effectively on outcomes.

LO4: Consolidate and integrate skills in active listening, empathetic communication and emotional resilience in participatory practice.
Full Details of Teaching and Assessment
2025/6, Trimester 1, In Person,
VIEW FULL DETAILS
Occurrence: 001
Primary mode of delivery: In Person
Location of delivery: MERCHISTON
Partner:
Member of staff responsible for delivering module: Renée Stefanie
Module Organiser:


Student Activity (Notional Equivalent Study Hours (NESH))
Mode of activityLearning & Teaching ActivityNESH (Study Hours)NESH Description
Online Guided independent study 176 You will critically engage with module reading materials in support of lecture content. You will also practically experiment with improvisational concepts and approaches to support your collaborative creative practice.
Face To Face Lecture 12 The module is front-ended by 6 thematically framed lectures. Lecture 1 provides an overview of module content, delivery and assessment. Subsequent lectures will explore historiography, politics, narratives, toolkits and the collective as they relate to improvisational practice.
Face To Face Practical classes and workshops 12 Practical classes and workshop will integrate and embed theoretical concepts explored in the preceding lecture series. This exploration will take the form of collaborative creative practice in group ensemble work.
Total Study Hours200
Expected Total Study Hours for Module200


Assessment
Type of Assessment Weighting % LOs covered Week due Length in Hours/Words Description
Portfolio 100 1~2~3~4 Exam Period , WORDS= 2000 words You will submit a reflective portfolio that encompasses concepts and theories developed over the course of the module. These reflections must be accompanied by an indicative representation of audio visual examples of between 10-20 minutes providing evidence of your integrated improvisational practice. While these artefacts are not directly marked, their purpose is to demonstrate synthesis between theory and practice in providing a basis for critical reflection.
Component 1 subtotal: 100
Component 2 subtotal: 0
Module subtotal: 100

Indicative References and Reading List - URL:
Contact your module leader
 

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