CertHE Popular Music Performance (Drums)

​In this practical module, you’ll build your core stylistic and stagecraft skills essential for an industry-standard performance. You will explore a range of popular music genres, including Pop and R&B, while developing your own sound, style and presence. You'll develop a deeper understanding of performance by critically analysing a variety of performances, including your own, and applying this to aid your own development. In addition to performance, stage presence and musical direction, this will be your opportunity to learn about and practice using performance technology such as in-ear monitoring (IEM) and click tracks. By the end of this module, you will have significantly increased your confidence and ability as a performer. 

This module will give you the practical drums training and theoretical knowledge to perform, record and arrange music across many popular styles and genres. You’ll build a strong grounding in music notation and theory, while developing skills in sight-reading for drums and boosting your performance skills. You’ll also explore key music technologies – like keyboards, music notation software and digital audio workstations (DAWs) – exploring ways these tools are used in popular music performance. The module offers learning through focused drums skill sessions, one-on-ones with your tutor, and seminars to support your musical advancement.   

This module expands on the previous module – Theory, Technique and Technology – to take your current drum skills, practical knowledge of music technology and grasp of music theory to a higher level. You’ll have access to high-tech music technology – such as DAWs and music notation software – to help improve your notation and keyboard skills. You’ll advance your understanding of industry-standard performance skills by arranging and recording music across a range of more complex styles and genres. You’ll also develop impressive technical competency on the drums through intense practice, an analysis of music theory and one-on-one sessions with your drums tutor. 

In this module, you will dissect the music industry and gain an understanding of how the different sectors impact the creative industries. You will use case studies, peer discussion and seminars to examine industry structures and functions like revenue flow, music copyright and the inter-relationship between the key areas of music. A successful portfolio career is key to longevity in the music industry; you will explore the variety of roles within the industry, as well as ways that you can diversify your income. This module will also provide you with the skills you need to set up, maintain and navigate social media as a DIY artist.

During this module, you'll explore your identity through performance, focusing specifically on current music practices and popular music styles like Pop, R&B and Afrobeats. You'll delve into the essence of performance and have the opportunity to debate concepts including stardom and fandom, identity, stage personas and stage presence. Informed by your own research, group discussion and reasoning, you will be able to present yourself and your artistry before a panel of your peers. By experimenting with different industry-aligned approaches to documenting and sharing practice, such as vlogs, video, audio and blogs, you will expand your critical analysis skills, inquiry skills and academic research. Ultimately, this module will allow you to come face-to-face with yourselves as musicians, artists and performers and embark on an experience of your individual artistry.