Module: Transcription 2

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Transcription 2
Module Code	MPA1001 (ITS: MC327)
Faculty	Theology, Philosophy & Music	School	Humanities & Social Sciences
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5

Description

Following on from the introduction to transcription techniques studied in MC222, this module will concentrate on the intense study of one major solo. The module will introduce learners in how to use the transcription of a great solo as a learning tool, and method of absorbing large amounts of material – technical, aural, theoretical, stylistic and timbral - which can be incorporated into their own playing and used creatively. It will also demonstrate analytical techniques to learners and show how these techniques can be applied in a creative and practical context

Learning Outcomes

1. Have transcribed, learned off by heart, and analysed a major solo by a great practitioner
2. Develop their own technical, analytical, and interpretive skills
3. Develop their own aural and notation skills
4. Develop critical analysis skills
5. Incorporate these skills into areas that are artistically satisfying on a personal level

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	24	Weekly, A one-hour group lecture-workshop
Independent Study	81	Practice of solos, creation of new solo
Independent Study	20	General and analysis essays
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	10934	Part of Term	Semester 1 & 2
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Greg Felton	Module Teacher	Chris Guilfoyle, Linda Adams

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Essay	General Essay: Researching and writing a general description of the chosen solo	10%	Week 6
Performance evaluation	Original Transcription Performance Learning, memorising and transcribing a learner-chosen solo	35%	Sem 1 End
Essay	Analysis Essay Researching and writing an analysis of the chosen performance	10%	Week 12
Performance evaluation	Transposed Transcription Performance: Learning the original solo played a tritone away from the original key	20%	Week 19
Performance evaluation	Constructed Transcription Performance Creating a solo constructed by the learner using phrases from the original solo	25%	Sem 2 End

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Original Transcription Performance:
- Finding an appropriate and relevant solo as the subject for this module

- The accurate reproduction of the chosen solo and playing it from memory, along with the original recording

Transposed Transcription Performance:
- Playing the same solo, from memory, a tritone away from its original key

- Drummers will convert the solo to a different time signature

Reconstructed Transcription Performance:
- A learner-composed solo, played from memory, constructed from phrases contained in their original transcription.

General Essay:
- An essay based a general description of the chosen solo, its historical context, the other musicians involved, etc.

Analysis Essay:
- An essay based a technical description of the chosen solo, its harmonic, rhythmic, melodic and structural content.

Indicative Reading List

Books:
None

Articles:
None

Other Resources

App: Nisson, Rolf, 2016, Amazing Slow Downer, Roni Music,
Computer Software: Robinson, Andy, 2016, Transcribe!, Seventh String Software,