Remote but Intensively Collaborative Composition—again, new crew (MCO4127.02)

Kitty Brazelton

How I imagine this course starting out (but I will have taught it once and may know more than I imagine at this writing—you will be new however):

One person makes a melody—a single line—and records it. It is now a “thing.” The next person takes that “thing” and adds another “thing.” When the 2nd person shows the two “things,” we talk about what “thing two” does to “thing one.” In detail. In this way, we will incorporate theory and even history (through musical genre and cultural implications thereof), as we talk about what “things” can do to each other in music.

Where this leads. Bigger and bigger combinations of ideas, meaning and sound. We will culminate with an online concert event of our own design. Leading up to that, we will “post” bits of our process—like a trail of breadcrumbs—on chosen site venues.

Where does it go? Don’t know…but am hoping it will be fun…


Learning Outcomes:



Delivery Method: Entirely remote (synchronous)
Prerequisites:Knowledge of harmony and music theory. Notation. Full-time access to recording tools (can be phone, computer mike or real mike with digital interface even better), and to DAW (digital audio workstation) with multitrack capability (can be Audacity, Ableton, Garage Band, Pro Tools—whatever you can get hold of—some of these apps are free). Recording experience with these tools and their capacities.
Corequisites: Please attend Music Workshop on Tuesday evenings. I will be asking you to show work there. Make sure you keep the time available. Even if you are not showing, you will learn a lot from hearing your classmates show.


Course Level: 4000-level
Credits: 2
T 1:40PM-5:20PM (2nd seven weeks)
Maximum Enrollment: 12
Course Frequency: Every Term

Categories: All courses , Composition
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