Competences developed in the course

Transversal competences

CT3: Solve problems and make decisions that respond to the objectives of the work being carried out.

CT8: Develop ideas and arguments through critical and reasoned thinking.

CT17: Contribute, through professional activity, to raising social awareness of the importance of cultural heritage, its impact on different fields, and its capacity to generate meaningful values.

General competences

CG1: Demonstrate knowledge of the theoretical principles of music and develop appropriate skills in the recognition, understanding and memorisation of musical material.

CG2: Demonstrate appropriate skills in music reading, improvisation, creation and re-creation.

CG4: Recognise musical materials through the development of aural skills and apply this ability to professional practice.

CG6: Achieve an appropriate level of mastery of one or more musical instruments within the principal field of activity.

CG7: Demonstrate the ability to interact musically in different types of collaborative musical projects.

CG8: Apply the most appropriate working methods to overcome the challenges arising in individual study and collective musical practice.

CG9: Know the characteristics of the principal instrument in relation to its construction, acoustics, historical development and interaction with other disciplines.

CG11: Be familiar with a broad and up-to-date repertoire centred on the student’s specialisation while remaining open to other traditions. Recognise its stylistic features and describe them clearly and comprehensively.

CG17: Be familiar with different musical styles and practices in order to understand and enrich one’s own field of activity within a broader cultural context.

CG21: Create and shape personal artistic concepts, developing the ability to express them through acquired techniques and resources.

CG22: Possess broad and diverse musical resources to create or adapt musical works and improvise in different contexts based on knowledge of styles, formats, techniques, trends and musical languages.

CG23: Value musical creation as the process of giving sonic form to rich and complex structural thought.

CG24: Develop lifelong self-learning skills throughout professional practice.

CG25: Know and apply study and research methodologies that support the continuous development and innovation of professional musical activity.

Specific competences

IN1: Perform the significant repertoire of the specialisation, addressing appropriately the aspects that define its stylistic diversity.

IN2: Develop a coherent and personal interpretative concept.

IN4: Express oneself musically through the instrument or voice, based on a solid command of instrumental and physical technique, as well as acoustic, organological and stylistic characteristics.

IN5: Communicate musical structures, ideas and materials rigorously as a performer.

IN6: Explain and justify interpretative decisions verbally while helping audiences understand the musical work.

IN7: Develop sight-reading and improvisational skills.

IN9: Understand the processes and resources involved in orchestral and ensemble performance, demonstrating strong sight-reading skills, flexibility in responding to the conductor and the ability to integrate effectively within the ensemble.

Learning outcomes (general objectives)

1. Use free or traditional-style improvisation as a valuable means of expression in a wide range of musical situations beyond the instrument’s own musical tradition.
2. Demonstrate command of the most common idiomatic techniques and characteristics of improvisation within the musical tradition associated with the instrument, where applicable, and apply them effectively.
3. Develop the technical skills and fluency required to use the most appropriate improvisational patterns in different musical contexts.
4. Develop versatility, spontaneity and coordination with other performers through improvisation.
5. Perform effectively as either a soloist or an accompanist within an ensemble, recognising the characteristics and responsibilities of each role.

Contents

Improvisational styles most appropriate to the relevant musical tradition. Concepts of improvisation and accompaniment within the specific tradition. Characteristic rhythmic, melodic and harmonic patterns. Contexts and functions of improvisation and accompaniment. Improvisation techniques specific to the musical tradition concerned. Skills for applying different types of patterns to improvisation and accompaniment. Application of improvisational and accompaniment techniques in a variety of contexts, situations and ensembles within the relevant musical tradition. Adaptation of improvisation and accompaniment techniques to the specific musical tradition. Accompaniment techniques. Tension and resolution. Cadential pauses, suspensions and endings. Anticipations. Rhythmic flexibility. Passing chords. Harmonic substitutions. Application of a wide range of expressive vocal or instrumental nuances in ensemble performance. Use of Traditional Music forms and styles in spontaneous musical contexts. Participation, interaction and coordination with other musicians.

Teaching methodology

Teaching and learning in individual lessons is based on continuous monitoring of the student’s progress. Independent study includes practising and preparing the repertoire to be covered in class. In semi-group lessons, teaching focuses primarily on individual and ensemble performance practice. Independent work includes personal study and regular practice.

Assessment systems

Assessment is based on continuous evaluation, beginning with diagnostic assessment and culminating in summative assessment leading to the final grade. Continuous assessment is carried out through different assessment activities, including progress in class and participation in recitals or concerts.