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.