MUSS855 The X-Factor in Music (5 op)

Sisältö

The “X” Factor. Every exceptional song, artist, or performance has it. It’s what makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand on end, sends shivers down your spine. It’s what turns a great song into an anthem, a successful artist into a superstar. Its presence or absence can mean the difference between excellence and mediocrity, celebrity and obscurity. But what exactly is the “X” Factor? And can it be quantified? The course will cover a range of “X” Factor principles, including those relating to Expectation, Timing, Emotion, eMotion, Familiarity, Structure, and Lyrics. Audio and video examples will be used to illustrate the principles described.

Suoritustavat

Lectures, group work, essay, group discussion. More detailed information will be given in syllabus.

Arviointiperusteet

Active participation (80 % or more) in teaching and group discussions, accepted essay.

Evaluation criteria will be given in the beginning of the course.

Participants will be encouraged to informally suggest audio and video examples of their own that they feel illustrate the principles described, and group discussion will be strongly encouraged.