End of Module Assessment 2013J Question 1

1. End of Module Assessment 2013JQuestion 1 TA212: Block 5, EMA

2. Choose The Instrument • Choose an instrument about which information is available • the OU library can give you access to the online edition of “Grove” • Instrument must be pitched and totally acoustic • not drum kit, electric guitar, theremin TA212 - Block 5 – EMA 2013J

3. Sources and Recordings • You need to be able to make reference to the sources for your information • a chat in the pub is not enough • You need to be able to get (or make) a recording of the instrument • Naxos Recordings are available through the OU Library • Be careful with recordings including more than one instrument. You may not be able to separate “your” instrument from the rest of the ensemble. TA212 - Block 5 – EMA 2013J

4. Subheadings • The Question 1 essay MUST have the following subsections • Introduction, Historical Development and Present-Day Usage (25 marks) • Construction and Operation (35 marks) • Note Analysis (40 marks) • Summary and Conclusions (20 marks) • In addition, Contents list, appendices, list of references etc. TA212 - Block 5 – EMA 2013J

5. The Word Count for Question 1 • 4000 words • absolute maximum • sections which cause the limit to be exceeded will not be marked • not included in the word count: • contents pages • glossaries • references • appendices • sections not in the word count will be marked on presentation only TA212 - Block 5 – EMA 2013J

6. (a) Introduction, Historical Development and Present-Day Usage • Choice of Instrument • Only 2 marks so don’t spent too much effort here! • 4 or 5 sentences maximum. • Don’t get too specific about the detail of the instrument. TA212 - Block 5 – EMA 2013J

7. (a) Introduction, Historical Development and Present-Day Usage • Outline description • Only 6 marks. • Non-technical. • How the instrument is played. • Imagine someone who has never seen or heard the instrument. TA212 - Block 5 – EMA 2013J

8. (a) Introduction, Historical Development and Present-Day Usage • Historical Origins and Development • 11 marks. • This is the meat of the section. • What has caused changes to the instrument • History • Musical role • Technology TA212 - Block 5 – EMA 2013J

9. (a) Introduction, Historical Development and Present-Day Usage • Usage • 6 marks. • Expand on the idea that an instrument may have had different roles at different periods (including the present day) • Extend the discussion of “role” from the previous section. TA212 - Block 5 – EMA 2013J

10. (b) Construction and Operation • Geometry and component parts • 10 marks • Detail of construction • Materials (and sources) TA212 - Block 5 – EMA 2013J

11. (b) Construction and Operation • Method of sound production and radiation. • 16 marks • This is the core of this part of the question • Primary and secondary vibrators • How does the player create the vibrations? • How does the sound reach the listener TA212 - Block 5 – EMA 2013J

12. (b) Construction and Operation • Pitch range. • Only 4 marks so don’t spend too much time here. • If you are looking at a family (e.g. “the recorder”) mention the ranges of the different members of the family. TA212 - Block 5 – EMA 2013J

13. (b) Construction and Operation • Timbre and other musical or playing features. • Only 5 marks so, again, don’t spend too much time here. • Why does it sound the way it does? • Relate the timbre to the theory behind its operation • Particular features and/or playing techniques • Think of this as an introduction to the section which follows: “Note analysis”. TA212 - Block 5 – EMA 2013J

14. (c) Note Analysis • Waveform analysis. • Only 6 marks • 2 to 5 cycles of a typical waveform (use Audition) • How did you produce the display? • What does it show? • Sine wave? Or more complex TA212 - Block 5 – EMA 2013J

15. (c) Note Analysis • Frequency analysis. • 20 marks – this and the following “Envelope Analysis” form the core of this part of the question. • Illustrate Several notes over the pitch range • Compare their steady state • Not enough to include only a screen shot. • How was the screen shot produced? • What does it show? • How does this relate to the structure and use of the instrument. TA212 - Block 5 – EMA 2013J

16. (c) Note Analysis • Envelope analysis. • 12 marks • What changes as a note is played • (Steady state was the previous section) • Overall envelope of a typical note • Compare envelopes from different notes • Not enough to include only a screen shot. • How was the screen shot produced? • What does it show? • How does this relate to the structure and use of the instrument. TA212 - Block 5 – EMA 2013J

17. (c) Note Analysis • Files. • There are 2 marks for including sound files • Easy marks!!! TA212 - Block 5 – EMA 2013J

18. (d) Summary and Conclusions • Summary • Refer back • No new information • Conclusions • Reflect on what you were able to achieve • Reflect on the limitations of what you were able to do • Marks • 10 marks are for the Summary and Conclusions section • 10 marks included for this section are for the overall structure and presentation of the report. TA212 - Block 5 – EMA 2013J

19. Source Material • OU Library • Grove Music Online • Naxos Recordings TA212 - Block 5 – EMA 2013J

20. Plagiarism • It is very easy to cut and paste from web sites! • The work presented must be your own work. • Quotations should not be more than a sentence or two. TA212 - Block 5 – EMA 2013J