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The
fully accredited One Year Diploma is a full-time vocational course designed
to
equip keyboard players with the professional skills and awareness required
by
today’s music
industry.
The Diploma is a level 3 qualification,
which is approved for entry on to many
degree
programmes, including our 3 year BMus (Hons). Drawing on countless
years
of
professional experience, the curriculum offers structured, ‘hands-on’
education. It is
packed with concepts, techniques, theory and performances,
covering
virtually every
aspect of modern keyboard playing. As well as the focus
on performance,
this course
teaches you to communicate musically and be
creatively self-sufficient.
There are no age limits or academic prerequisites,
but students are required to
take
an assessment prior to enrolling on the course.
The Diploma has two intakes – in
March and October. The academic year is divided
into three 10-week terms with mid and end of term breaks. Students who
successfully
complete the course will be awarded the Keyboardtech Diploma as
well as
the OTC OCN
award*. The top performers will play at the graduation show,
held at
a top London
venue.
COURSE OVERVIEW
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Keyboard Techniques focuses specifically upon the mechanical, physical and
ergonomic principles of your playing technique. The course is designed to
help you remove the technical barriers that most frequently prevent effective
self-expression on the instrument. This is done by progressively developing
aspects of your playing such as co-ordination, control, speed and endurance.
You will concentrate specifically on scales, arpeggios, chords and their
voicings, developing them to an advanced level for specific styles to solo over
complex chord changes.
-
Keyboard Concepts: Keyboard Accompaniment. Versatility equals Gigability!
As a professional keyboard player you will need to be able to play a variety of
styles effectively, whether part of a rhythm section or as a solo
accompaniment. You will study rhythm, time and feel as well as both cutting
edge and classic styles. The styles covered include pop, rock, R&B, fusion,
Latin and jazz, as well as some of the less mainstream styles, techniques
and vocabulary. You will also examine the prominent players to build a
fundamental understanding and historical perspective.
-
Keyboard Concepts: Vocabulary and Improvisation.
The conceptual teaching
at the core of this class will give you the tools to be totally creative in your own
right. You will learn to develop vocabulary, create phrases, and improvise.
Studying the improvisational approach and solos of the greats will build a
fundamental understanding of each style. It will simultaneously develop your
dexterity and co-ordination in any musical situation.
-
Total Keyboard: This class covers many of the specialised skills that are
essential to the modern keyboard player. You will learn to work various
keyboard functions such as split keyboards, layering sounds and playing
multiple keyboards at once. You will also work with different keyboard sounds
and study the techniques required to play instruments such as the Hammond
organ, and use other popular sounds such as Clavinet and Wurlitzer. You will
also work with synthesizer modules, and cover basic synthesis techniques.
-
General Musicianship: Harmony & Theory. We believe in the practical
application of modern harmony and theory – off the page and onto the
keyboard. You will study major and minor harmony (scales, chords, modes,
arpeggios) and their application to all the key styles.
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General Musicianship: Aural. For your playing to fit musically, you need to train
your ears to hear with great detail and accuracy. You will study the recognition
of intervals, chords, arpeggios and harmonic progressions.
-
General Musicianship: Transcribing, Arranging & Composing. Starting by
transcribing keyboard, bass and drum parts, you will look at specific
arrangements to identify the mechanisms that will enable you to write your
own compositions. Transcribing, Arranging and Composing develops
stylistically over the three terms and draws directly on both your aural ability
and understanding of theory.
-
Sight Reading: Notation. This class covers all the rudiments of sight-reading
by breaking music down into pitch (note recognition, intervals, key signatures)
and rhythm (note values, rests, time signatures).
You will concentrate on structure, sections, signs, dynamics and how to
interpret rhythm hits. You will also combine the reading of chord charts with
rhythm skills in a variety of styles.
-
Keyboard performance: Rhythm Section Skills. This class is the in-depth
study of the interaction within the rhythm section. The lesson includes
intensive performance with our top quality instructors, concentrating on the
time, feel, groove and techniques of each performed piece.
Using materials, concepts and styles studied in other classes we apply them
in a pro playing environment.
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Keyboard performance: Live Performance Workshop + Live Performance
Workshop Prep. Your ultimate goal is to be a performer. At Keyboardtech you
will learn great techniques and develop your musical knowledge. The point
where these two come together is on stage. Live performances unite students
from Keyboardtech, Guitar-X, Drumtech and Vocaltech to build confidence and
create that crucial interaction with the rest of the band. You will focus on
performing, showmanship and the right mental approach.
One Year Diploma continued>> |
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