The Composer's Toolkit: Shaping Sound in Time

Course Number
CM-103
Description

This course will introduce students to fundamental elements of compositional thought and structure. In a series of weekly assignments, students will create short experimental passages of composed sound focused on isolated parameters of music in order to compare the effect of different strategies. Examples of the basic parameters that students will work with: linear/non-linear, pulse/non-pulse, noise/pitch, register (high/low), timbre (bright/dark), texture (dense/sparse), dynamics, and articulation. Through these experiments, students will experience how different choices affect our perception of time, musical flow and space. The course is designed to be approached by anyone at any level of compositional experience, as indicated by the low course number. The course will benefit musicians with any amount of composition experience.

Credits
2
Prerequisites
None
Required Of
None
Electable By
All B.M. and P.D. students
Major Elective for
Composition
Semesters Offered
Fall, Spring
Location
Boston
Department
COMP
Course Chair
Richard Carrick
Taught By
Courses may not be offered at the listed locations or taught by the listed faculty for every semester. Consult my.berklee.edu to find course information for a specific semester.