Tune Writing and Harmony in Scottish Trad Music
10-week Online Short Course
Page Navigation
Overview
The course will be delivered online via weekly 2 hour sessions over 10 weeks.
The tutor will introduce topics to the students in these sessions via short presentations that will include visual aids/audio examples/live demonstrations to illustrate and explain the concepts being discussed.
Each session will include short tasks/challenges that will either be worked through together live in the online sessions, or can be worked on independently throughout the week between sessions. These tasks will allow students to explore specific concepts, and should enhance their understanding of certain compositional and harmonic possibilities.
It is hoped that students will begin to holistically start using some of the ideas/concepts discussed in their own musical creativity. As the course progresses students will be encouraged to compose/arrange their own material which can be shared in the online sessions for student/teacher feedback. This will allow students to refine their composition(s) throughout the course.
RCS offers one of only a few courses dedicated to undergraduate/postgraduate study of traditional/folk music in the UK. As a result it has built up a specialist team and body of knowledge in this field.
This course gives students the creative freedom to apply the ideas explored in the online sessions in their own compositions/arrangements. Students will also have the opportunity to gain invaluable individual/group feedback or advice on any material they create throughout the course.
Mailing List
Sign up to our mailing list to receive the latest updates of courses, offers and news from Short Courses. You can do this by completing this short online form found here.
Contact us
If you have any questions about this course before you book it, please get in touch with us at shortcourses@rcs.ac.uk.
The important details
Age:
16+
Cost:
£190
Date:
15 April 2025 - 17 June 2025
Time:
Tuesdays 6:30pm – 8:00pm
Venue:
Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, 100 Renfrew Street, Glasgow, G2 3DB
Course Information
Students should have a good understanding of basic music theory, as well as music reading/notating skills. (Suggested minimum level of ability is around ABRSM grade 4/5 Music Theory).
Students are not required to have any prior experience of performing or writing in a Scottish traditional music context. (Basic keyboard skills might be advantageous, but not essential.)
You will need access to a device such as a desktop computer, laptop or tablet which allows you to access the internet with a screen large enough to see the group members during online sessions.
You will need internet connection which is fast enough to take part in live teaching sessions.
You may also want to consider whether you have a space you can use where you can work without interruption. Please keep in mind that the other students taking part in the course will be able to see what is behind you when you are online.
If you have any questions in advance of booking, please contact us at shortcourses@rcs.ac.uk
Alistair Iain Paterson
The course will run from the 15 April to 17 June 2025 on Tuesdays 6:30pm – 8:00pm.
The course fee is £190 which is the equivalent to £19 per session, and can be paid in full or in instalments before the course end date.
Further Information
We want to ensure as many children, young people and adult learners as possible can access the performing and production arts education that is offered through Short Courses at RCS. Financial support options available for Short Courses include:
Agnes Allan Bursary
Agnes Allan was a teacher, passionate about inclusion, and this bursary scheme exists to offer support to students to participate in the performing or production arts.
The Agnes Allan Bursary provides some support to students who may require financial assistance to take part in a short course in dance, drama, music, production or screen.
Anyone who wishes to take part in our Short Courses and faces a financial barrier can apply for bursary support to help meet the cost of tuition fees.
James McAvoy Drama Scholarships
BAFTA-winning and Golden Globe nominated actor James McAvoy is committed to nurturing the creative potential of young Scots who experience barriers to access and participate in drama at RCS Short Courses.
James is a graduate of the BA Acting programme at RCS and Patron of the Junior Conservatoire of Drama. The Glasgow-born actor has funded the new James McAvoy Drama Scholarships to enable young people to experience the world-class drama training at RCS as he did.
The scholarship aims to support applicants who would otherwise find meeting the cost of tuition fees at RCS a barrier to accessing pre-Higher Education drama training at the Royal Conservatoire.
You can find more information about these funds on our Financial Support page.
We run various promotional offers for our Short Courses and Summer Schools. You can view our current offers on our Promotional Offers page.
You should contact us at shortcourses@rcs.ac.uk to request your discount code before booking a course.
Please note, only one promotional offer can be applied per course and should be used at the time of booking as we are unable to apply a discounts retrospectively.
Please see our Short Course FAQs for more information about all aspects of choosing, booking and attending your course.
Please see our Short Courses – Terms and Conditions for more information about your contract with Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, and Cancellation and Refund policies.
Sign up to our mailing list to receive the latest updates of courses, offers and news from Short Courses. You can do this by completing this short online form found here.
Short Courses
shortcourses@rcs.ac.uk
Summer Schools
summerschools@rcs.ac.uk
Credit-Rated
credit-rated@rcs.ac.uk
Bursary and Scholarship
bursaryscholarship@rcs.ac.uk
