Profession Studio Artist Music (PSM)

Provides an overview of traditional instruments and their geographic and cultural origins as they relate to the foundation of bluegrass and traditional music genres. Lecture: 3.0 credits (45 contact hours).

Introduces recording and sound reproduction history, terminology, equipment, and practical session experience. Lab: 1.0 credit (30 contact hours).

Introduces the process of creating original melodies and lyrics under the direction of a professional songwriter. Lab: 1.0 credit (30 contact hours).

Provides an individual stringed instrument study course under the guidance of an experienced professional instructor. Designed to teach performance techniques in a flexible structure. May be repeated with different subtitle for a maximum of 4 credits. Lab: 1.0 credit (30 contact hours).

Teaches basic fundamentals of bluegrass and traditional chords, rhythm and simple flat-picking lead along with standard tuning and set-up tips. Lab: 1.0 credit (30 contact hours).

Pairs two or more instrumentalists in a group/ensemble setting, in order to explore the components and structure of a band under the guidance of a professional band leader. May be repeated with different subtitle for a maximum of 8 credits. Laboratory: 2 credits (60 contact hours).

Provides guidance through the process of creating and refining original melodies and lyrics under the direction of a professional songwriter, emphasizing different techniques while overcoming barriers. Lab: 1.0 credit (30 contact hours).

Introduces basic bluegrass and traditional harmony/part singing and theory using ear training, number notation and basic chords. Lab: 2.0 credits (60 contact hours).

Provides an in-depth study of old time, folk and early bluegrass music genres and their components, exploring connections between radio, labor conflict, war and early professional musicians. Lecture: 3.0 credits (45 contact hours).

Provides practical studio and set-up training for recording sessions utilizing software and computers. Laboratory: 1.0 credit (30 contact hours).

Provides guidance through the process of creating and refining original melodies, lyrics and music under the direction of a professional songwriter, emphasizing writing for specific media and multi-writer collaboration. Lab: 2.0 credits (60 contact hours).

Provides guidance through the process of creating an effective demo and marketing original songs under the direction of a professional songwriter, emphasizing the completed demo project. Lab: 2 credits (60 contact hours).

Provides an in-depth study of early stringband, country music and promotion pioneers, focusing on the role of early radio and barndances. Lecture: 3.0 credits (45 contact hours).

Provides an in-depth study of computer and Pro Tools software, recording techniques and applications. Laboratory: 2.0 credits (60 contact hours).

Provides a comprehensive study of the music and careers of the iconic figures in bluegrass & traditional music from 1936 to present. Requires listening to recordings, reading the primary text, and reading suggested articles from industry periodicals. Lecture: 3.0 credits (45 contact hours).

Provides an advanced and complex study of recording, mixing and editing software session data to finished products. Laboratory: 2.0 credits (60 contact hours).

Designed to give a wide variety of practical, hands-on work experience in the bluegrass and traditional music field. (Companion course to PSA 240). Lecture: 1 credit (15 contact hours). Laboratory: 2 credits (60 contact hours).