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Music Performance & Production Level 3 Rock/Pop

male student playing on a drum kit
Getting Ahead

Music Performance & Production Rock/Pop UAL Level 3 Diploma/Extended Diploma at Alton Campus

Are you studying Music Performance & Production Rock & Pop UAL Level 3 Diploma or Extended Diploma at Alton Campus in September? If so, you’re in the right place!

This work will help give you a head start and get to grips with some of the key concepts involved in this course and the music industry and stand you in good stead when you begin your course in September.

We look forward to you starting College with us soon.

close up of someone playing guitar

Select a band of your choosing. Watch a live performance of theirs. This course requires you to become very good at analysing and evaluating live performance, so start now…

Whilst you are watching, in a notebook start jotting down using the following headings:

Instruments and musical knowledge/competency

  • Pitching during the performance
  • Instrumental tuning
  • Tightness
  • Tempo
  • Handling of section changes
  • Beginnings and endings
  • Technical proficiency
  • Critical listening by the players to sensitivity, balance and dynamics

Communication

  • With audience
  • With band members
  • Verbally?
  • Physically?
  • Musically?

Stage management and presentation

  • Is the presentation well managed?
  • Stage presence and awareness evident?
  • Stage make up
  • Stage costume
  • Use of space: use of equipment
  • Is there movement?
  • Is the sound managed?
  • Is the light managed?

Next, write a brief account (approx. 200 words) about how you got into music, what or who has inspired you, and where you would like to see yourself in the future.

Compile a 10-song playlist that best describes you.

Rate the following skill sets/areas of understanding you have from 1 – 10, 1 being “I have very little experience/skill” and 10 being “This is a really strong skill/area for me”. Don’t worry about giving yourself a low score, it won’t affect your place on the course.

  • How do you rate your Performance/Technical/Production skills?
  • If any, how do you rate your understanding of music theory?
  • How would you rate your composition skills?
  • Problem solving – if you get stuck with something, how well do you cope with solving the problem?
  • How do you rate your skill sets with technology such as music equipment and software? Do you create music at home on a DAW? If yes, please explain what software you use and the genres of music you create.

Additional/optional work

Have you visited a festival? If so, select a band that stood out to you and assess your reasons why. Use the previous headings to help you.

the words rock and pop in decorative style

Resources

Your Learning Space

*This is a representation of your learning space and may not be the exact room you will be using

I would say it’s a college that really balances academia with fun, there is lots of extra-curricular stuff that you can get involved in. It has a really good work/life balance.

Laura Hagedorn, A Level student

The tutors were really supportive and it was all thanks to them that I have achieved what I have. I’ve also made loads of great friends and really enjoyed my time at the college.

Lizaveta Sinkerich, A Level student

"I am delighted with my results and am really looking forward to studying Law at Oxford University. I really enjoyed my time at HSDC Alton and I really appreciate all the help and support from my fantastic teachers, without whom I wouldn't have got my place at Oxford."

Catherine Goldie, HSDC Alton A Level Student