Critical Listening for Music Professionals

Students develop their ability to listen to music with the critical ear of a music industry professional, learning to discuss the aesthetic and technical elements of live and recorded music with a variety of music business professionals, from engineers to artists. They learn to differentiate and identify by sound various instruments and mixing techniques. Students learn how to optimize the listening experience, explore song structure, and evaluate and discuss music at a professional level.

Course Outline

• Basics of Music: Pitch, Rhythm, Melody, Harmony, Texture, Form, and Dynamics
• Mix Elements and Techniques
• Optimizing the Listening Experience
• Past and Current Trends and Sounds in Popular Music
• Identification of Musical Instruments and Variations