Module: Instrumental Skills 1

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Instrumental Skills 1
Module Code	MPA1015 (ITS: MC118)
Faculty	Humanities & Social Sciences	School	Theology, Philosophy & Music
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5

Description

This module is designed to give instrumentalists and vocalists a strong technique on their respective instruments, to help them develop appropriate stylistic repertoire for their instrument and to assist them with instrumental and technical issues they may have in other modules. The module takes the form of an individual instrumental or vocal lecture covering appropriate techniques relevant to the instrument/voice and designed to assist in developing a strong technical facility.

Learning Outcomes

1. Be competent performers on their instrument or voice
2. Be aware of appropriate technical considerations for the music that they play
3. Be capable of adapting to the different situations encountered in improvised music.
4. Display a grasp of the fundamental techniques for their instrument
5. Learn idiomatic vocabulary for improvising on standard song forms and different groove musics such as Brazilian and funk idioms
6. Have an insight into their own learning methods and techniques

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Tutorial	16.5	Weekly 45-minute one-to-one lesson with lecturer
Independent Study	108.5	Instrumental/vocal Practice, both individually, and with others
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	11138	Part of Term	Semester 1 & 2
Coursework	100%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	N
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Matthew Jacobson	Module Teacher	Andrew Csibi, Brendan Doyle, Chris Guilfoyle, Conor Guilfoyle, Jenna Harris, Joanna Mattrey, So-Young Yoon

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Practical/skills evaluation	End of Second Semester Performance Assessment - a 35 minute individual assessment based on techniques covered throughout module	80%	Sem 2 End
Participation	Participation and engagement throughout module	20%	As required

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

An introduction to instrument-appropriate techniques of various kinds
An introduction to instrument-appropriate techniques of various kinds designed to prepare the learner for the ensemble performance environment. Depending on instrument, these may include, but will not be limited to such areas as • Tone control • Scalar knowledge • Appropriate fingering • Breath control • Drum rudiments • Intonation • Idiomatic considerations • Vocabulary development • Stylistic authenticity within various contemporary genres such as swing, funk, Afro-Cuban or Brazilian music

Indicative Reading List

Books:
None

Articles:
None

Other Resources

1: Application, Avi Bortnick, Time Guru,
0: 1, Application, Technimo, LLC, iReal Pro,