Performance

Scarborough Fair

Here is the Scarborough Fair MIDI File.

MCO Performance "Hall of Fame"

1) What Performance Skills are taught in this class?

You will be taught how to perform and will be expected as part of this class. You'll be expected to perform chords and intervals as part of the final exam, and you'll be expected to perform a song at the end of the term.

Performing a Song

This consists of singing or playing a relatively simple song. There is a Performance FAQ Sheet which will tell you what, how and when to perform. There are many web sites and software packages which can help you. They are listed on the Links page of the class web site.

If you need simple help with this, I've provided it in the form of optional Performance Exercises which will lead you through the process of learning to perform a simple song on a keyboard.

Scarborough Fair

Many students choose Scarborough Fair as their performance song. Here's a version of it to use for practice:

Clipstream Version

If you were using a Java-enabled browser, you would see the clipstream player instead of this paragraph.


Windows Media Version
  • Scarborough Fair: Windows

    Real Player Version
  • Scarborough Fair: Real

    Performance skills will be taught in this class. Some argue that unless there is performance, there is no music! Therefore, each student will perform a song for a grade at the end of the class. The performance may be done in any of the following ways:
    1. live (at a pre-arranged time, either face-to-face or via teleconference)
    2. recorded as a videotape (on standard VHS format)
    3. digital "movie" (such as an .avi file or a Quicktime movie).
    4. created and/or recorded as a MIDI file
    5. recorded as part of your Band in a Box file

    Students are given several options regarding what "instrument" they use to perform or sing their song.

    1. Performing on a traditional musical instrument or singing
    2. "Performing" on a computer (i.e., exploring the audio and musical capabilities of the computer

    1) Performing on a traditional musical instrument

    Students may choose to perform on any standard musical instrument. Here are the most common instruments used or chosen for the class: recorder, piano/keyboard, guitar, or a band instrument (such as clarinet, flute, trumpet). Students may also choose to sing. Whether playing an instrument or singing, we'll learn how to perform a song together. Students may choose to perform that song as their "performance," or they may choose another. Students must purchase or have access to the chosen instrument for the class. Once you have chosen an instrument, practice it regularly. It's better to practice for relatively short periods on a regular basis, than to practice for long periods on an irregular basis.

    Students may choose to utilize a series of Performance Exercises which will lead easily and painlessly to a finished performance.

    Students may perform their song in the following ways:

    1. perform the song for classmates on Performance Day
    2. perform the song for me privately, with these options:
      1. at any class session, or
      2. during office hours, in my office
    3. make a video tape of the performance, and hand in the tape anytime before the final or bring it with you for replay during Performance Day, with these options:
      1. tape a performance of your song as a solo
      2. tape a performance with friends or family involved (have fun!)
    4. perform as a solo or in an ensemble with other students (students have had a lot of fun with this in previous semesters: themes, constumes, etc. have been added for fun!)

    Help with Performance on the Web

  • Net Music School
    This site can help you a LOT with learning to play the guitar or piano.

    2) "Performing" on a computer

    Students may choose to "perform" using a computer. While this doesn't fit into the traditional notion of performance, the computer is increasingly becoming a musical tool of incredible power. Therefore, those who are interested may choose this option. One way this could be done, for example, would be to use a software program such as "Band-in-a-Box" to create an orchestration of a song such as the one we will all learn. Note: "Band-in-a-Box" software is installed in the MLRC (Multimedia Learning Resource Center) on the third floor of the Ronald Williams Library.

    Online Performance Quiz

  • Do the Online Performance Quiz (on the MCO Blackboard)

    2) Performance Literacy

    You will be taught how to look at a musical score and understand how to perform it. This consists of doing the following assignments:
  • Read pp. 209-113 and the Text Glossary (pp. 263-266)
  • Do Computer Exercises # 155, 156 and 157
  • Do Written Exercises # 1-3 on p. 212 
    
Chapter 12: Looking at Music

	Musical Terms - Dynamic Indications - Drill # 155

	Musical Terms - Tempo Indications - Drill # 156

	Character and Expression Indications - Drill # 157
  • This Land is Your Land
  • Simple Gifts (p. 1)
  • Simple Gifts (p. 2)
  • Keyboard Graphic

    Performance Day

    Performance Day is a required class day, which you must attend. At the Performance Day session, students who wish to perform for their classmates will do so. In addition, students who have created video tapes or other creative media who would like to share these items with classmates will do so. Note: it is required to attend Performance Day, but you will not be required to perform. The performances are o ptional.
    Back to Main Page