CertHE Popular Music Performance (Keyboards)

​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. 

In this module, you’ll gain the academic knowledge and practical keyboard training required to arrange, perform and record music across a range of popular genres and styles. You’ll develop strong foundations in music theory and notation, as you enhance your performance skills by improving your keyboard sight-reading. You’ll also cover the fundamentals of music technology and its use in music performances, including the application of music notation software and digital audio workstations (DAWs). Throughout the module, you’ll attend keyboard skills sessions, seminars and one-on-one tuition to guide your development.

Building on the previous module – Theory, Technique and Technology – this programme extends your skills in keyboard technique, music technology and music theory. You’ll advance your notation skills using industry-standard notation software, while you perform, arrange and record music across many different genres, tackling interestingly complex styles of popular music head-on. Combining critical analysis, passionate practice and one-to-one sessions with your keyboard tutor, you’ll develop skills and techniques on the keys to be proud of. 

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.