Commercial Music Technology I: Notation and DAW – CMUS 330

Course Description

Rationale

Finale is an industry standard in notation software. Notation software reinforces both theory and musicianship in the application of both within standard practices for printed music within the music industry. Songs (and music) have a sonic footprint that is realized in graphic form when notated. Both sonic and notated expressions of music require theoretical and musical knowledge and skill. Both are engaged in the practice of notation and recording.  

Historically, print music is older than recorded music and comes with a series of rules related to publishing that are unique to printed music. More recently, print music has gone to the online standard with music charts being posted on music sales sites (MusicNotes.com, WorshipTogether.com, PraiseCharts.com, LifewayWorship.com, HalLeonard.com, etc.) where the purchaser is given options regarding print, PDF, key, and tempo.  

Ableton LIVE is a digital audio workstation (DAW) that has all the essential functions of the major workstations: tracking, mixing, mastering. DAWs are actively used in the music industry to create the sonic canvas of song ideas and enable the songwriter to bring the song to market. Ableton LIVE also has an improvisational component that sets this DAW apart from other DAWs. As such, it has become an industry standard for live production.  

Both notation software and DAWs provide a way for musicians to monetize their music. They also provide a way for musicians to bring music to a wider audience for the purpose of influencing lives and bringing transformation in fulfilling Habakkuk 2:4, “For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD as the waters cover the sea.” 

Course Assignment

Textbook Readings and Lecture Presentations/Notes

Course Requirements Checklist

After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview.

Discussions (2)

Discussion are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the student will complete 2 discussions in this course. The student will submit a thread in response to each Discussion. The thread for Discussion: Using Notation Technology must be a minimum of 300 words and demonstrate course-related knowledge. The thread for Discussion: Real Life Scenario must be a minimum of 500 words and demonstrate course-related knowledge. In addition, the student must reply to at least 2 classmates for each discussion. Each reply must be at least 150 words.

Digital Audio Worksheet Assignment

The student will carry out independent research to explore the areas listed on the provided template. The student will fill in the questions and upload his or her completed Digital Audio Worksheet in preparation for the Digital Audio Quiz.

Presentation Assignments (9)

In each module, there is a series of presentation assignments. The student must watch and apply the sequence of events displayed in each presentation using the required program(s). Once the student has completed an assignment, he or she must save it and move on to the next. Once the student has completed the final assignment in the module, he or she must submit the said assignment in the submission area for a grade.

Project Assignments (4)

The student will complete 4 Projects in this course:

• In Project: Lead Sheet Assignment, the student will create a Lead Sheet document in Setup Wizard.
• In Project: Piano Vocal Chart Assignment, the student will set up a Piano Vocal chart.
• In Project: Praise Band Score Assignment, the student will copy a Praise Band chart using the Praise Charts template by Dan Galbraith.
• In Project: Full Orchestration Assignment, the student will copy a Full Orchestration Score into the template he or she set up in Assignment 5c. 

Quiz: Digital Audio

The student is encouraged to complete the Digital Audio Worksheet Assignment before starting this quiz. This quiz is open-book/open-notes, contains 9 multiple-choice questions, and will have a time-limit of 3 hours.

Quiz: Setting Up Preferences

The student is encouraged to complete Assignment 1a before starting this quiz. This quiz is open-book/open-notes, contains 5 multiple-choice questions, and will have a time limit of 3 hours.