Developing Your Musicianship: Final Project

Go to Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/musicianship-final-project

Introduction

### Course Review: Developing Your Musicianship: Final Project If you’re a budding musician or someone looking to enhance their compositional skills, the *Developing Your Musicianship: Final Project* course on Coursera is an excellent choice. Offered by the prestigious Berklee College of Music and led by esteemed professor George W. Russell, Jr., this course is part of the larger *Developing Your Musicianship* specialization. It serves as both a culmination of your learning journey and a practical exercise in musical composition. Let’s delve into what you can expect from this course and why it’s worth your time. **Course Overview** The *Final Project* course is designed to guide you through creating and performing a 36-measure original composition, integrating the concepts you've mastered throughout the previous modules of the specialization. Over four detailed video lectures, Professor Russell walks you through each stage of the project, ensuring you understand not only how to compose but also how to refine your work based on peer feedback. **Syllabus Breakdown** The course is strategically structured into four main modules, each focusing on different parts of your composition: 1. **Welcome to the Developing Your Musicianship Finale Project**: This introductory module sets the stage for your learning experience, detailing how to navigate the course effectively and what tools you'll require. 2. **Compose The First A Section**: You’ll kick off the project by constructing the first 'A' section of your piece. This involves a refreshing review of popular chord progressions, important for setting the foundation of your composition. 3. **Compose The Second A Section**: Building on your previous work, this week focuses on creating the second 'A' section. Collaboration is emphasized, as you are encouraged to consult classmates and leverage community discussions for brainstorming and feedback. 4. **Compose The B Section**: In this pivotal module, you will venture into modulating the key for your B section, adding complexity and richness to your piece. Expect some challenges here, but remember to use your peers as a sounding board for ideas and support. 5. **Compose The Last A Section and a Melody**: In this final week, you put the finishing touches on your piece by crafting the last 'A' section and developing a melody that ties everything together, culminating in a complete composition ready for performance. **Strengths of the Course** - **Expert Instruction**: As an experienced educator from Berklee College of Music, Professor Russell provides invaluable insights and techniques that can help even the most novice musicians enhance their skills. - **Community Engagement**: The course fosters a sense of community through discussions and peer feedback, making it an interactive and collaborative experience. - **Practical Application**: The hands-on approach to composing a complete piece ensures that you’re not just learning theory but applying it in a meaningful way. - **Supportive Environment**: The emphasis on reaching out for help and collaborating with classmates nurtures a supportive learning atmosphere, which is essential for personal and artistic growth. **Recommendation** I highly recommend *Developing Your Musicianship: Final Project* for anyone serious about improving their musical skills. Whether you're an amateur musician looking to take your first steps into composition or a more experienced artist aiming to refine your craft, this course offers something for everyone. The structured format, combined with expert guidance and a collaborative atmosphere, makes it an enriching experience. By the end of this course, not only will you have a completed 36-measure composition, but you will also have a deeper understanding of musical concepts that will serve you in future projects. So, if you're ready to unleash your creativity and elevate your musicianship, this course is your perfect next step!

Syllabus

Welcome to the Developing Your Musicianship Finale Project!

Welcome to the final project course for the Developing Your Musicianship Specialization! In this module, we will cover all the details about how this course works and what you'll need to know to get the most out of your course experience.

This week, we will work on composing and performing the first A section for our project. We will also do a short review of the popular chord progressions we learned about throughout this specialization. If you need help or feel stumped, reach out to your classmates for help!

This week, we will work on composing and performing the second A section for our project. Remember, your classmates are a great resource. If you need help, check out the forums or connect on the Facebook group!

This week, we will work on composing and performing the B section for our project. We will be modulating from the original key in the B section, so this week may be a little complicated. If you need help, ask your classmates for their advice.

For the final week, we will work on composing and performing the final A section for our project. If you need help or feel stumped, reach out to your classmates for help!