MUSC-110A Music Theory I
Music Theory I is the first of a four-semester sequence of music theory courses required of all music majors. Together with MUSC-110P, Ear Training and Musicianship I, and MUSC-114, Keyboard Skills I, it offers an integrated approach to the study of musical structure that combines written work, ear training, keyboard skills, and sight singing. After a very brief review of notation, rhythm, major and minor scales, and key signatures, the student will develop knowledge and understanding of the following: a basic introduction to harmony including intervals, chords, and their inversions; non-harmonic tones; the writing of four-part harmony; and of melodic, harmonic, and rhythmic structures and musical form in melody.
Hours Weekly
4 hours lecture and additional practice time weekly
Course Objectives
- 1. Identify key signatures, intervals, chord qualities, and chord inversions at a speed which will
contribute to sight reading proficiency. - 2. Analyze a musical excerpt using Roman numerals and label all non-harmonic tones.
- 3. Recognize various phrase structures through listening or through written analysis.
- 4. Identify and analyze musical texture.
- 5. Transpose a simple melody to any key by notation.
- 6. Write simple two-voice counterpoint following rules of species counterpoint.
- 7. Write four-part texture with good voice-leading upon a given melody, bass line, or figuredbass.
Course Objectives
- 1. Identify key signatures, intervals, chord qualities, and chord inversions at a speed which will
contribute to sight reading proficiency. - 2. Analyze a musical excerpt using Roman numerals and label all non-harmonic tones.
- 3. Recognize various phrase structures through listening or through written analysis.
- 4. Identify and analyze musical texture.
- 5. Transpose a simple melody to any key by notation.
- 6. Write simple two-voice counterpoint following rules of species counterpoint.
- 7. Write four-part texture with good voice-leading upon a given melody, bass line, or figuredbass.