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L3 Music Tech YR1 Course Handbook 16-17

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Published by mjarvis, 2017-06-08 11:00:10

Course handbook

L3 Music Tech YR1 Course Handbook 16-17

TOTTON
MUSIC

BTEC Level 3
90- Credit Diploma

in
Music Technology

A Course Guide

Level 3 Handbook 2016 – 17

Faculty of Creative Industries – Music

Contents Contents

Introduction 2
Structure 3
Unit Guidance 4
Assessment
Assessment 4
What are ‘Functional Skills’? 6
Policy 6
Totton Music Health and Safety 6
Gigs 8
Equipment Usage 9
Hints for a Good Result 9
Suggested Listening 9
Useful Websites 10
Useful Contacts 11
Totton Music and You 11

L3 Music Tech YR1 Course Handbook 16-17.doc7 1

Faculty of Creative Industries – Music

Introduction

This guide contains information to help both you and your guardians understand how Totton Music
is structured and run. It also contains other necessary guidelines and advice on how work will be
assessed.

Please read through the guide carefully. Remember, you can always speak to a designated
member of staff your or get your guardians to email him/her if you need advice/clarification on any
of the issues raised.

Anything completed in the name of Totton Music, should it be written assessments or live
gigs, not only represents you, but also your fellow musicians, your guardians and the
institution itself.

The BTEC Level 3 90- Credit Diploma in Music Technology is a continual assessment, much of
which is focused on vocationally relevant activities carried out in small groups. These activities
require some theoretical application, but it is mostly practical work. During the course you will be
required to develop the following:

- Independence.

- Self Motivation.

- Creativity.

- Commitment.

- Teamwork.

- Respect for the talents and opinions of others, regardless of their social, ethnic or
cultural background.

By working at the qualities listed above, you will not only be able to succeed to a greater level, but
will learn vital skills that are transferable from the Totton Music experience to the real world.

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Faculty of Creative Industries – Music

Never forget the reason why you started playing/producing music, it was simply to enjoy it.
Unfortunately, very few people are going to knock on your door and offer you a job in music and as
such, it is your job to be disciplined, to practice hard and to think about how you are going to sell
yourself and your art to the world. This is how money is made in the music business.

Course structure

The Totton Music BTEC Level 3 90- Credit Diploma in Music is built from a variety of ‘units’ that
students must cover over the duration of a year.

There are two types of units – some of which are mandatory units and some of which are
specialist.

The mandatory units being:

Unit 39 The Sound and Music Industry
Unit 25 Music Production Techniques

The following specialist units complement the mandatory units and are made up of:

Unit 7 Composing Music
Unit 10 DJ Performance Techniques
Unit 11 Music Events Management
Unit 17 Marketing and Promotion in the Music Industry Pop
Unit 24 Music Project
Unit 29 Live Sound Techniques
Unit 37 The Functional Music Keyboard

Occasionally, specialist units are replaced by alternatives as a result of the constant review,
development and improvement of the course by the course leader and these remain correct at the

time of publication.

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Faculty of Creative Industries – Music

What is a Totton Music Assignment?

An assignment is a collection of tasks Totton Music will provide you with, which can also
be accessed via the ilearn.totton.ac.uk, the college virtual learning environment. These will
cover the required criteria that need to be met in order for you to succeed in all of the units
mentioned. You should look at each task carefully, reading the grading criteria that
accompany it, as this will tell you exactly what you need to do in order to achieve to a high
grade.

Totton Music will make every effort to explain things to you in simple terms, but if you do not
understand it is your responsibility to ask! Only you can be responsible for realising a future in
music and in doing so, you will need to prove that you are prompt in meeting deadlines, which
means completing your work on time. The more effort you put in, the better the outcome and your
time at Totton Music will be well spent. Work hard and try to get as much help as you can in your
sessions, as subject specialists will be on hand to help.

How Will My Work Be Assessed?

With each task set, the assignment brief will accurately explain how to obtain a PASS, MERIT or
DISTINCTION grade for each grading criteria. Each criteria of each unit is awarded a grade. The
lowest of these grades will give the overall grade for the unit. It is up to you to make yourself
‘employable’, taking responsibility for maintaining the highest possible standards in your artistry,
which includes the work you are assessed on.

Failure to meet deadlines in the real world could mean you lose your job. At Totton Music,
failure to meet deadlines in your assessed work will result in disciplinary action.

If you are unavoidably absent, you should ring 023 8087 4874 and explain why. You should
also do this for every subsequent day you are absent for. You don’t have to miss a
deadline, as you could e-mail one of your subject specialists with the completed
assignment being addressed.

Your subject specialist leader will be Andy Harris. His email address is: [email protected]

Equally, if you have been absent, it is your responsibility to catch up with everything you
have missed!

The subject specialists setting the tasks will mark any work attached to an assignment and return it
within three weeks, giving you a grade for each of the criteria that you cover and written comments
which will indicate ways in which you can improve in the future. If the work does not reach the
required standard or is incomplete, it cannot be passed and you will be advised as to what you
need to do in order to re-submit the work successfully. If work has to be resubmitted, you must
agree a new deadline with the assessor.

You will always be provided with an opportunity to comment on a task and the way it is assessed.

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Faculty of Creative Industries – Music

ASSESSMENT APPEALS PROCEDURE

If you have concerns about the outcome of an assessment, you should discuss the matter fully with
the assessor. If you continue to have concerns then you can follow the ‘Appeals Procedure’.
Should you wish to initiate the procedure, contact the Exam Coordinator Sarah Homes at
[email protected]

All units are assessed internally and externally and verified. This means that we mark the task in
question, get our colleagues to look over the marked work to agree the grades and then we inform
you of the outcome.

An External Verifier will also inspect this process and check that we are marking to national
standards. He, or she, can alter the grades if we have been judged to be too generous or too
harsh.

All the advice you will be given is for guidance only, until all of the tasks for a unit are completed.
Only then, will our experts have a more complete picture of the level to which you are working and
only then will an overall unit grade be given, based on all the grades gained for each criteria of a
unit.

You must pass all the grading criteria of each of the units to gain the overall qualification.

All grades are carefully recorded and tracked. One of the things you will do in your tutorials is
discuss how your work is going and by setting targets for its improvement, you can address any
concerns you, or your lecturers, have with the way you work. In this way, you will be able to
identify your strengths and weaknesses and work on them.

Each 10 credit unit will be graded as follows:

Pass – 70 points

Merit – 80 points
Distinction – 90 points

The unit grades are then collated into an overall set of grades, depending on the marks given.

Points range above pass grade BTEC Level 3 90-credit Diploma
630 - 659 points
660 - 689 points PP
690 - 719 points MP
720 - 749 points MM
750 - 769 points DM
770 - 789 points DD
790 points and above D*D
D*D*

NB – The exam board (Edexcel) may vary the above grading bands. At the time of publication all
details are correct.

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Faculty of Creative Industries – Music

What are Functional Skills and Why Do I Need Them?

A musician will always need to promote their abilities and keep a track of the money they both
spend and earn. This is where English and Maths can come in very handy. As jobbing musicians,
you will be required to study and be examined in what are known as the ‘Functional Skills’. These
sit alongside your music studies should your GCSE grades in numeracy and literacy be below a ‘D’
grading. This can sometimes be the case if your entry diagnostic proves to be low. This is just a
short test to tell us how you’re doing in these topics.

English

Maths

You might be surprised at how many of your day to day music tasks involve either English or
Maths! Don’t panic though, if these are not your strongest subjects. A separate class will be held in
each teaching week in order to support you through this process. Being able in both of the above
is a pre-requisite in modern life and is essential in getting you paid employment or entry onto
university courses.

Policy

Totton Music has strict policies on the following: dress code, alcohol and substance mis-use,
bullying, equality and diversity, plagiarism, health and safety, attendance and punctuality.
These exist to ensure that the Totton Music experience is both fair and safe. You must familiarize
yourself with the terms and conditions of these policies through the Totton College website/virtual
learning environment.

Be aware of these policies and adhere to them at all times!

Failure to do so will result in severe disciplinary action that may lead to dismissal.

Never use your mobile phone in class without permission. Should you need to take an urgent
message or record a lecture/rehearsal/performance, it is polite to explain the situation to the
subject specialist first.

Totton Music - Health and Safety

(To be read in conjunction with Totton College Policies)

Food is not permitted within rooms attributable to Totton Music. Drinks are allowed, but only in re-
sealable bottles. Cans are not acceptable as they can spill their sugary contents and cause
electrical hazards and insect infestation. A littered recording or rehearsal studio and corridors full
of food waste will allow unhealthy bacterias to multiply which could be hazardous to health so don’t
do it!

Totton students are warned not to interfere with electrical equipment, or its cabling. Experts need
to do this.

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Faculty of Creative Industries – Music

State of the art computers are provided within Totton Music for music programming, word
processing and general research. Remember, it is expressly forbidden to use the internet in order
to access material which could be deemed as inappropriate. Every computer is constantly
monitored for this very reason.

Students are forbidden to smoke in areas which are clearly marked as prohibited. Failure to do so
will lead to disciplinary action.

Students always need to ensure free passage throughout the rooms attributable to Totton Music
and these should not be obstructed with instruments, bags or coats.

Once you have finished using a rehearsal studio, it is a musician’s responsibility to make sure
that all the equipment you have been using is either put away tidily or returned, if borrowed.
Equipment attributable to Totton Music will need to be booked out and signed back in, once
a rehearsal session has concluded.

All breakages must be reported immediately.

Avoid or secure trailing leads, like kettle leads and microphone cables. These can cause expensive
accidents.

Totton Music has provided you with a named space to which you can save your
written/design/composition work. It is advised that you always save computer work that you have
prepared within Totton Music to your named space, in other words, the FS02 (Homes) drive of your
computer. This will prevent your hard work from being lost. Unfortunately, work saved to other
destinations is deleted. You will find it useful to own a memory stick to save work on. This
will enable you to take responsibility for archiving your own work and will encourage you to
improve on it at home.

Students can avoid permanent damage to their ears/speakers by listening to and playing music at
sensible volumes. Totton Music can provide ear plugs for you – so use them!

It is advised that students never connect to sound sources with the gain or volume turned
up. You could damage the speakers. As a musician/producer, your ears are your most
important tools! Serious hearing problems and painful tinnitus can be caused by playing
and listening to loud music.

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Faculty of Creative Industries – Music

Gigs

During the course of the year, you are encouraged to take part in performances both in and outside
of college. Your safety at these is of utmost importance to us and all the potential risks will be
assessed for you. Initially, the performance spaces will be booked for you, but others (and the legal

paperwork they entail) will be your own responsibility.
When you are at any venue, you are representing
Totton Music even if you are only setting up equipment
or waiting to perform. We want to help you perform as
well as possible and enjoy putting these shows
together, so it is vitally important that you are aware of
the following points in addition to the college policies.

1. Make sure you are aware of correct manual handling
techniques before lifting heavy or awkward objects as it is
very easy to strain either a muscle or your back.

2. Be aware of high noise levels and use ear protection if you
are advised to, or if you feel it necessary.

3. Tape down loose or trailing cables.

4. Ensure that exit pathways are clear at all times.

5. Ensure that there is enough light to do what you need to
do and if you’re worried about it, ask for additional lighting.

Totton Music reserves the right to refuse rehearsal/performance time to students who have not met
deadlines with their written work or who behave in an intoxicated or disorderly manner either on
Totton Music premises or at Totton Music organised gigs. Staff will not hesitate to involve the
estates team, legal guardians or the police should students break the law or refuse to co-operate.

Whilst at Totton Music, you will need to supply the following, on a daily basis, in order to function
professionally.

• A pen/pencil with a rubber • Instruments and leads (in good working order)

• A USB memory/pen stick • A tuner, picks and replacement strings (if guitarist)
Because of the large amount of expensive and •fragHileaedqpuhipomneesnt(wsuithpp⅛liedstfeorreuosjeacbkys)Fareham
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Only Totton Music participants will be able to use the rehearsal studios and/or equipment outside
standard working hours. You will also be held responsible for their security and condition, once
they have been used. You are advised to contact the course leader should you be interested in
using the Totton Music facilities in this way.

Students may also have to meet expenses due to transportation costs, the need for subsistence,
ticketing of events, Totton Music field trips and blank CDs/DVDs for recorded work. Musicians
experiencing hardship in meeting these expenses should contact their designated member of staff
who will put them in contact with people who can help them.

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Faculty of Creative Industries – Music

Equipment Usage

If you break something by accident, as long as you tell us, all will be forgiven. Breaking
something evidenced through poor handling and misuse, however, means you will be
charged for a replacement.

Please be careful! We are aware that things eventually wear out, but encourage you to look after
the College equipment as though it were your own. This equipment has been purchased and set
up solely for the use of Totton Music/ Media.

Always tell a lecturer if something is broken or malfunctioning.

Hints and Tips for Good Results

• Always follow the correct studio procedure.
• Be prepared and motivated to work alone, outside college hours if you need to.
• Try to broaden your musical tastes and experience.
• When listening to music, take time to consider how and when it was recorded (e.g. what

effects are used, what types of instruments are playing, what is the message in the
lyric?)
• Try to consider how the music you listen to is both arranged and structured.
• Research into the history of popular music. Read gig and album reviews. How did your
favourite musicians learn about different styles of music? How has this helped them to
develop their music?
• If you have any problems or queries regarding your studies always see your designated
member of staff or a Learning Support Assistant as soon as possible. They are
approachable people and need to know what is going on so that they can support you.

Suggested Listening

Try to be open-minded. Listen to and sing/play along with everything! Certain performers/ bands
have had a major influence on the industry as they have created the foundations of the music you
hear and play today. Here are just a few of the many:

• Elvis Presley
• Miles Davis
• Chuck Berry
• James Brown
• Bob Dylan
• The Beatles
• The Beach Boys
• The Rolling Stones
• Bob Marley and the Wailers
• The Sex Pistols
• Aretha Franklin
• Nirvana
• Red Hot Chilli Peppers
• Blur
• Oasis

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Faculty of Creative Industries – Music

Try to become as familiar and open to as many musical styles as possible, here are just a few
examples:

• Blues
• Jazz
• Country
• Gospel
• Reggae
• Hip Hop
• Dance
• Rock and Roll
• World Music
• Funk
• Soul
• Metal

Useful Websites

www.harmony-central.com - Music resource website and instrument/equipment reviews
www.soundonsound.com - Official Sound on sound magazine website
www.futuremusic.co.uk - Official Future Music magazine website
www.bandname.com - Register your band name here. (Or check if it’s already being used)
www.musiciansunion.org.uk - Official website for the Musician’s Union based in the UK.
www.musictheory.net – Good interactive theory tutor.

Copying and pasting from a website to your written work without acknowledging where it came
from is called plagiarism. Should we find evidence of this in your work, you will face disciplinary
action.

Useful Contacts

Remember, it’s up to you. If you want that all important job in the arts, you have to chase it
up. It’s not enough to write an e-mail. Ring these people. Find out who’s recruiting and sell
your skills. A personal letter is always good, or a covering letter and a C.V should it be for a
specific job. Do it now rather than later, as you’re not the only person who wants to get
experience in this area or this kind of job.

Good Luck.

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Faculty of Creative Industries – Music

AV Magazine British Phonographic British Sky Broadcasting
33-39 Bowling Green Lane Industry 6 Cantaurs Business Park
London EC1R 0DA 25 Saville Road Grant Way
02075058190 London W1X 1AA Isleworth TW7 5QD
www.bpi..co.uk 02077043000
BBC 02072874422
Broadcasting House Channel Four Television
London W1A 4AA Community Radio Association. 124 Horseferry Rd
www.bbc.co.uk The Media Centre London
15 Paternoster Row SW1P 2TX
Hospital Broadcasting Ass. Sheffield S1 2BX www.channel4.com
PO BOX 2481 01142795219 02073964444
London W2 1JR ITV Network Centre
01324611996 Channel 5 Broadcasting 200 Gram’s Inn Road
22 Long Acre London WC1X 8HF
Music Publishers Association London 02078438000
3rd Floor Strandgate WC2E 9LY
18-20 York Buildings www.c5.co.uk MTV Europe
London WC2N 6JU 02075505555 180 Oxford St
02078397779 Musician’s Union London W7N 0DS
60-64 Clapham Rd www.mtveurope.com
Independent Association London SW8 0JJ 02072786000
Of Radio Producers 02075825566
Essel House www.musiciansunion.org.uk Radio Joint Audience
29 Foley St Research Ltd
London W1P 7LB Performing Rights Society Collier House
02073232770 29-33 Berners Road 163-169 Brompton Rd
The Copyright Licensing London W1P 4AA London SW3 1PN
Agency www.prs.co.uk 02075843003
90 Tottenham Court Rd 02075805544 Student Radio Association
London W1P OLP The Radio Academy
Satellite & Cable 5 Market Place
Broadcasters Group London W1N 7AH
64 West End
Northworld
Thetford IP26 5LG
01366728795

Totton Music and You

If you keep up with good attendance and completing the tasks you ought not to fail.

Poor attendance and punctuality will not be tolerated as it not only affects you and your
work output, but any musical activity that you are involved with.

If you do experience ill health or difficulty at any time, make sure your designated member of staff
knows through the appropriate channels. In the first instance, call Totton College Reception on
023 8087 4874. If you feel unwell whilst at college, or need to be absent for any other reason you
must pop into ‘Student Services’, located in the main reception and speak with Reception.

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