Lesson 3: Overview of Pulse-Based Music Education

Overview of Pulse-Based Music Education

Definition

Pulse is an innate, inaudible structure to music, organised by the factor of time, to lay the foundation on which the harmonic, rhythmic and melodic ideas are presented. Pulse-Based Music Education is a system in which this phenomenon is explained and shared in words such that it is comprehensible through a formal language.

Objectives

Bring consciousness of Pulse to everyone, such that everyone can enjoy the true joy of music.

Create a community appreciators, musicians and educators together to share their joy of music.

Use Pulse and inspiration as a tool for self-improvement and arts appreciation.

Pulse as the foundation of a new type of therapy approach to be used for mental wellness.


Pulse Classification

Pulse Unconscious
A state where one is unaware of Pulse (i.e. unable to pinpoint location, tempo and logicality of Pulse) and the ability is thus dormant. Most people actually do not belong in this category because as long as you can genuinely dance with some sensitivity to the Pulse and/or play music to a certain degree, you probably are sensitive to Pulse despite not knowing it.

Pulse Conscious
This, of course is a rather large classification on its own, with three different levels. They are a continuum all the way from Pulse unconsciousness to Pulse generator. We have varying levels of Pulse consciousness for different types of music and sounds, and it is normal to have even Pulse unconscious to a particular genre of music.

The three levels are:

Pulse-sensitive - a state where one can identify where the Pulse is when listening to music.


Pulse-dependent - a state where one can depend on another person, the strongest Pulse generator, for reference of the Pulse, when playing music


Pulse-generator - often the source of energy and time for the band, the Pulse generator is a person who indicates the Pulse with or without playing notes (remember it's inaudible, though usually it's through indication through playing notes). A band full of Pulse generators is the stuff of legends, with plenty of legendary bands and musicians to cite as great examples, across genres.

Note: Not every member of every legendary band is a Pulse generator, which often explains why when a band breaks up the individual parts are not always ending up with great music thereafter.


Method of Teaching/Learning

Pulse-Based Music Education Programme believes in using the powerful effects of positivity and inspiration to approach education and sharing. Conceptual learning and experiential learning are the two critical foundations of Pulse-Based Music Education and will be carried out simultaneously through discussion, examples and experimentation.

Rote-learning as a modality will be used sparingly as it is a useful source of muscle memory as well as theory knowledge, but will always be paired with the other two modalities for more efficacious and contextual learning.

The courses will always begin with music appreciation, regardless of target audience's abilities and experience, as the root of learning in Pulse-Based Music Education is appreciation. Of course, the level of difficulty would be moderated to abilities of individuals in the class.

The aim for Pulse-Based Music Education is to be able to bring out individuality in the context of a community, i.e. honest opinions and discussions regarding relevant topics and healthy discussions. This is to allow free-flowing of information between different people with different ideas to come to understand and allow for understanding.

More importantly, for those who are simply music lovers who want to learn more about Pulse, the classes will be gearing more towards exposure and experience of various life-like music performances (ultimately) such that you can understand the joys of the art and have a new facet to your life. The Programme aims to help you find your personal favourite artists/bands/genres such that you can find connection with someone communicating with you through this beautiful medium, across cultural and geographical boundaries. Also, it also aims to give you a wide spectrum of experiences to enrich your life.

As for homework, there will definitely be. You'll be tasked to enjoy music, and expose yourself to a variety of different sounds, genres and styles; and that is the key to Pulse-Based Music Education - enjoying and appreciating a variety of sounds in music. =)