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MUS111 -

Music Theory I

Fall Topics and Assignments

Dr. Orpen

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The assignments listed below assist you in meeting the Objectives and Student Outcomes of this course.  Applying the theoretical concepts to exercises, analyses, and creative work is central to our focus in theory class but equally beneficial in your performance studies.

Topics - displayed at the beginning of each table.

Tests - written exams and pop quizzes.

Presentations - materials/discussion items for class that day.

Text Assignments - exercises/readings to be completed. "DUE" dates for turn-in assignments are given. Unless otherwise indicated, Workbook Assignments are worth 10 points and are graded as a pecentage of the number of problems. Finish reading assignments before coming to class that day. Do "Test Yourself" problems in the workbook in preparation for the homework.

Purpose - focuses study on the important concepts.

You are advised to save a copy of any Finale Workbook ".mus versions only" submitted over email.

RELOAD - The following is a tentative list that is subject to adjustment as we move through the semester. Be sure to RELOAD this page whenever you check it so you have the latest version.

week 1 week 2 week 3 week 4 week 5 week 6 week 7 mid-term
week 8 week 9 week 10 week 11 week 12 week 13 week 14 week 15
exam #1 exam #2 exam #3 final exam
WEEK 1

SEPT. 7-9

INTRODUCTION AND CHAPTER 1: NOTATION

(Aural Skills/Kybd MUS103 meets Tuesday the 6th)

TESTS None.
PRESENTATIONS WEDNESDAY: Welcome to the Course; Syllabus on web at http://www.gustavus.edu/~orpen. Introduce Music Lab equipment - computers (Finale), speakers, headphones, procedures, and routines. TEST YOURSELF PROBLEMS IN WORKBOOK ARE GOOD!

The Staff, Letter Names, Clefs, Ledger Lines, Octave Identification - *use Fig. 1.9, middle C is C4, Accidentals, Enharmonic Equivalents, half-step motion. Do problems from 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4 in class (preview assignment 1.F for hand-in; 3-quarter notes in each measure, 3-eighths, 3-halves or equivalent)

FRIDAY: Notation of duration - ties and dots, rhythm, meter signatures - simple, compound and asymmetric, syncopation Do problems from 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9 in class. Present Echo Rhythm Composition Assignment.

TEXT ASSIGNMENTS WEDNESDAY: read Introduction and Chpt. 1 pp. 3-8.

FRIDAY: have read Chapter 1, p. 8-20: look over Wkbk. 1.F in class; DUE Wkbk. Hand-in Assignment pp. 1-2: 1.A - only mm. 1-2 of each; and 1.B - odds (middle C = C4); 1.D - odds; 1.E - odds; 1.F - only mm. 1-2 of these.

PURPOSE 1) familiarize students with syllabus, the equipment, procedures, and routines; select practice partners

2) introduce the students to the study of music theory and its importance in their musicianship

3) identify pitches by letter name, on the keyboard, and in 4 clefs using octave identification where middle C is C4

4) understand the importance of knowing and using standard music notation - beaming to show the pulse, symbols, terms

5) understand the term enharmonic equivalent as "same sound" but "different symbol - letter name, accidental"

WEEK 2

SEPT. 12-16

CHAPTER 2: SCALES, TONALITY, KEYS, MODES
TESTS None
PRESENTATIONS MONDAY: Rhythm "Echo" Compositions performed in class - Text Assignment 1.11; in hand manuscript (see further instructions in Text Assignments) Go over 1.J - in class

Notation Topics Review and discussion of how music notation communicates to the performer, what it looks like, what it means, and where one goes to find out what is meant by a symbol/term or how to write it.

WEDNESDAY: Scales, Pitch Class, Scale Degree Names, Diatonic Scales, Major and Minor Scales, Key Signatures Do problems from 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4 in class.

FRIDAY:Relative and Parallel Scales/Keys, Circle of Fifths Do problems from 2.5 and 2.6 in class.

TEXT ASSIGNMENTS MONDAY: DUE Rhythm "Echo" Composition text assign.1.11 hand manuscript hand-in for 10 points- performed in class by composer clapping odd numbered measures and class listening and "echo clapping" even numbered measures (there is staff paper at the back of your workbook that you can use or photocopy OR to print staff paper see the url in the syllabus. 16 measure length.  Compose two measure rhythms repeating the metrical scheme 4/4, 3/8; use the form aa,bb,aa,cc in which the second letter is the "echo".  Include title, use indefinite-pitched clef (2 short vertical lines on staff), note heads in second space from top, stems down, tempo, dynamics, double bar mark for end. and DUE Wkbk. pp. 3-4; 1.G (#1-6 only), 1.H - evens, 1.I - evens; Do Test Yourself 1

WEDNESDAY: have read Chpt. 2 - p. 27-35.

FRIDAY: have read Chpt. 2 - p. 35-40(key): DUE Wkbk. pp. 7-8; 2.A, B, C and D #1-5.

PURPOSE 1) notate and identify the three forms of minor scales (with and without key signatures) and minor key signatures

2) understand that the three minor scale forms (nat., harm., mel.) are not keys, they are scale forms.

3) know that the leading tone in minor requires an accidental to be added to the notation which raises the sub-tonic one half step. This accidental is not included in the key signature but is considered diatonic.

4) understand parallel (same letter/different key sig) and relative (different letter/same key sig) major and minor key relationships

5) know the circle of fifths is an orderly clock-like presentation of the 12 major and 12 minor keys

6) memorize and understand scale degree names as representing the functions of pitches

7) know that tonality is one of the most important concepts that has provided the foundation for Western music for some 300+ years

WEEK 3

SEPT 19-23

CHAPTER 2: SCALES, TONALITY, KEYS, MODES (cont'd) REVIEW
TESTS None
PRESENTATIONS MONDAY: Other Scales Do 2.7 in class

WEDNESDAY: Church Modes Do 2.8 in class

FRIDAY:Review Scales, Tonality, Key, Modes

TEXT ASSIGNMENTS MONDAY: have read Chapter 2 - p. 40-44; DUE Wkbk. 2.E and F corrected in class - not hand-in. Practice drawing Circle of Fifths

WEDNESDAY: have read Chpt. 2 - p. 44-47: DUE Wkbk. p. 10; 2.G.

FRIDAY:DUE Wkbk. pp. 11-14; 2.I and 2.J; Do 2.K in class; Do Test Yourself 2

PURPOSE 1) to understand that a variety of scales and modes have been used during the history of music

2) to be able to notate scales and modes

3) to be able to identify the scale or mode used in a melody

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WEEK 4

SEPT. 26-30

CHAPTER 3: INTERVALS AND TRANSPOSITION : Written Exam #1

Bring Transposing Instruments to Class - Friday

TESTS MONDAY: Written Exam #1 (Chapters 1, and 2)
PRESENTATIONS WEDNESDAY: Chapter 3 - Intervals Do problems from 3.1, 3.2 in class.

FRIDAY: Inversion of Intervals, Simple and Compound, Transposition - students bring transposing instruments to class, show Finale auto transposition Do 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 3.8, and 3.9 in class

TEXT ASSIGNMENTS WEDNESDAY: have read Chapter 3 - p. 55-58

FRIDAY: have read Chapter 3 - p. 59-66

PURPOSE 1) to understand that two pitches can form a melodic and/or harmonic relationship

2) to understand that composers found a way to use the same pitch relationships but achieve different results by using inversions

WEEK 5

OCT. 3-7

CHAPTER 3: INTERVALS &TRANSPOSITION (cont'd)

No Class Wed. - Attend Nobel Conference Sessions: GO TO NOBEL CONCERT!

TESTS None
PRESENTATIONS MONDAY: Chapter 3 - Intervals Do problems from 3.3, 3.4, 3.10, and 3C wkbk in class.

FRIDAY: Transposition exercise using melody in 3.I wkbk. and Finale. Do problems from 3.11, 3.12, 3.13 in class.

TEXT ASSIGNMENTS

MONDAY: have read Chapter 3 - p.55-60: DUE Wkbk. pp. 17-18: 3.A: do the 3 columns of problemsbeginning with 8, 9, 10 and ending with problem 60; AND 3.B; #1-5 and 11-15 only.

FRIDAY: DUE Wkbk. 3.D (m. 1-4 only, ignore instructions 3, 4, and 5), 3.E (m. 1-4 only), 3.G, and 3.I. Do Test Yourself 3

PURPOSE 1) to know that variety can be achieved in music through transposition

2)to understand that transposition can be used to make music more accessible to the voice or an instrument

3) to know that there are many transposing instruments

4) to understand that knowledge of instrument transpositions and ranges is valuable

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WEEK 6

OCT. 10-14

CHAPTER 4: CHORDS

 

TESTS None
PRESENTATIONS

MONDAY: Chapter 4 - What is harmony? Chord, Triad, Triad Root, different types of triads and their intervallic stuctures; functional Roman Numeral Analysis Symbols (RNAS) for Root Position Triads - Diatonic Triads Do selected problems from 4.1, 4.2 (even only, odds for assign.), 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, and 4.6 in class

WEDNESDAY: Triad Inversions, Scale Degree Names, Primary Triads, Roman Numeral Analysis Symbols (RNAS) for Inverted Triads (just memorize them, figured bass will be discussed soon); Seventh Chords, RNAS for Inverted Chords (4.7 and 4.8 in class; Use 4.3 to reinforce RNAS)

FRIDAY: Figured Bass Do 4.9 and 4.G in class

TEXT ASSIGNMENTS

MONDAY: have read Chapter 4 - p. 73-74, and 78

WEDNESDAY: DUE Wkbk. 4.A (only #1-10), B, C, D; have read text p. 75-77

FRIDAY: have read Chapter 4 - p. 81-83.DUE Wkbk. 4.I, J, K

PURPOSE 1) to know how to find the root of a chord (snowman?!)

2) to know that figured bass symbols identify the number of lines and spaces the notes are placed above a bass note

3) to use figured bass symbols to identify chords in root position and 1st, 2nd, and 3rd inversions

4) to understand what the various slashes, accidentals, etc, mean in figured bass

5) to know how to use Roman Numeral Analysis Symbols for chord identification and in analysis

6) to understand that chord function is an essential concept in tonality

WEEK 7

OCT. 17-21

CHAPTER 4: CHORDS (cont'd): Written Exam #2

Review

TESTS FRIDAY: Written Exam 2 (Chapters 3 and 4)
PRESENTATIONS MONDAY: Macro Analysis Do 4.10

WEDNESDAY: Popular Chord Symbols, Review for Exam 2 Do 4.11, 4.12 in class

TEXT ASSIGNMENTS MONDAY: have read Chapter 4 - p. 83-84; DUE Wkbk. 4.H p. 216

WEDNESDAY: Do Test Yourself 4 Read p. 85-86 DUE Wkbk. 4.F p. 228 Macro (m. 1-8, use root position letter names and other symbols as appropriate - dim or 7, include slurring for root movement)

PURPOSE 1) to understand that diatonic chords consist only of scale members

2) to analyze chords using Roman Numeral Analysis Symbols and Figured Bass

3) to know that Macro Analysis is another system for labeling chords and their fiunctional relationships

4) to know that Popular Music Symbols can be used in analysis and are the twentieth century short-hand system for representing chords

5) to understand that Popular Chord Symbols are used in lead sheet or fake book notation

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WEEK 8

OCT. 24-28

CHAPTER 5: CADENCES AND NONHARMONIC TONES

No class Monday (or Tuesday for 103) - READING BREAK

TESTS

None

PRESENTATIONS WEDNESDAY: Harmonic Cadences; Rhythmic Cadence Do 5.1 in class (RNAS with cadence type and Macro Analysis) Do selected cadences from 5.2, 5.3, 5.4, 5.5 in class

FRIDAY: Cadences cont'd. Nonharmonic tones, present layers in Finale Do 5.C in class.

TEXT ASSIGNMENTS WEDNESDAY: have read p. 97-102;

FRIDAY: have read p. 102-111; DUE Wkbk. 5.A, B on pp. 33-34

PURPOSE 1) to understand that cadences are largely defined by the presence or absence of a leading tone and the tonic chord

2) to know that musical structure is similar to language structure and this gives shape or form to music

WEEK 9

OCT. 31 - NOV. 4

CHAPTER 5: CADENCES AND NONHARMONIC TONES (cont'd)

TESTS None
PRESENTATIONS MONDAY: Nonharmonic Tones cont'd. Do 5.2 in class using Finale (not root, 3rd or 5th? = nonharmonic tone)

WEDNESDAY: Nonharmonic Tones cont'd Do 5.3, 5.4 in class

FRIDAY: Nonharmonic Tones cont'd Do 5.5 in class

TEXT ASSIGNMENTS MONDAY: practice Finale entry on your own

WEDNESDAY: : DUE Wkbk. 5.C using Finale - print out your copy (enter soprano and tenor notes in layer 1 - black, enter alto and bass notes in layer 2 - red) and 5.F (last 4 measures only)

FRIDAY: DUE Wkbk. 5.D and 5. E (#1,3,4) p. 34-36

PURPOSE

1) to understand cadences as musical punctuation

2) to learn the variety of types of non-harmonic tones and their usage
WEEK 10

NOV. 7-11

CHAPTER 5: CADENCES AND NONHARMONIC TONES (cont'd)

CHAPTER 6: MELODIC ORGANIZATION

TESTS None
PRESENTATIONS MONDAY: Cadences and Nonharmonic Tones REVIEW

WEDNESDAY: Motive, Sequence, Phrase, Period Do problems from Wkbk. 6.A and text 6.1 and 6.2 in class

FRIDAY: Phrase Extensions and Change of Mode, present playback using Finale (Internal Speaker or MIDI in the Music Lab) Do 6.3, 6.4 and Wkbk. 6.D and 6.E in class

TEXT ASSIGNMENTS MONDAY: DUE Wkbk. 5.G (odds); Do Test Yourself 5

WEDNESDAY: have read Chapter 6 - p. 119-129

FRIDAY: have read Chapter 6 - p. 129-131; DUE Wkbk. 6.B using Finale (do first and second problems only - use playback and listen to your results); .

PURPOSE 1) to understand that non-harmonic tones contribute to smoother voice leading and added dissonance which creates more interesting music
WEEK 11

NOV. 14-18

CHAPTER 6: MELODIC ORGANIZATION (cont'd)

REVIEW

TESTS None
PRESENTATIONS MONDAY: Melodic Structure Do 6.7 and the even problems from Wkbk. 6. K in class.

WEDNESDAY: Composing: Phrase Material Do selected problems from Wkbk. 6. F-I in class

FRIDAY: Review Chapters 5 and 6 for Exam #3

TEXT ASSIGNMENTS MONDAY: have read Chapter 6 - p. 131-134; DUE Wkbk. 6.C which will be checked in class.

WEDNESDAY: DUE Wkbk. 6.J; and 6.K (odds) pp. 54-55

FRIDAY: Do Test Yourself 6.

PURPOSE 1) to understand melody as a succession of musical tones so organized as to have a meaningful and memorable effect (Bernstein)

2) to know that sequencing provides a way to immediately repeat a melodic or even harmonic pattern but at a different pitch level

3) to know the smaller internal strcutures of melody

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WEEK 12

NOV. 21-25

CHAPTER 7: TEXTURE AND TEXTURAL REDUCTION AND THANKSGIVING BREAK

No class Wednesday, Thursday or Friday, Thanksgiving Break

TESTS None
PRESENTATIONS MONDAY: Texture Do 7.1 and Wkbk. 7.A and B in class
TEXT ASSIGNMENTS MONDAY: have read Chapter 7 - p. 131-136
PURPOSE 1) to understand the different types of textures that are used in music

2) to be able to discriminate the more important musical materials from the lesser important musical materials

3) to know that the insights gained through the textural analysis of a piece informs and enlightens the listener and the performer

WEEK 13

NOV. 28-DEC. 2

CHPT. 7 (cont'd): Written Exam #3

 

TESTS

MONDAY: Written Exam 3 - Chapters 5 and 6

PRESENTATIONS

WEDNESDAY: Analysis Do Wkbk 7.C, 7.D,and 7.E in class

FRIDAY: Textural Reduction Do 7.2 and Wkbk. 7.F in class

TEXT ASSIGNMENTS

WEDNESDAY: have read Chapter 7 - 136-140

FRIDAY: have read Chapter 7 - p.140-142

PURPOSE 1) to focus our study on melody, cadences and non-harmonic tones
WEEK 14

DEC. 5-9

CHAPTER 10: HARMONIC PROGRESSION AND HARMONIC RHYTHM
TESTS None
PRESENTATIONS MONDAY: The circle progression. Do problems from 10.1.

WEDNESDAY: Noncircle progressions. Do problems from 10.2 and 10.4. Harmonic rhythm and "chord progression formulas" such as ii-V-I, and Blues. Do problems from 10.5 and 10.6.

FRIDAY:Harmonizing a tonal melody. 10.7, 8 9, 10 as time permits. Go over C Major Prelude assignment.

TEXT ASSIGNMENTS MONDAY: have read p. 213-216

WEDNESDAY: have read p. 217-221

FRIDAY: ** DUE MONDAY Write a short 16-32 measure piano Prelude - C Major, steady 16th note arpeggiations in treble clef, diatonic harmony consisting mainly of triads with lots of inversions, 1) one chord in a measure: use half notes in bass clef and repeat note or move in skips to another member of the triad (this often can facilitate movement by step to the next chord), 2) two chords in a measure: step motion can be used in the bass clef between members of the 2 different triads, 7ths can be used in dominant chords (an occasional non-harmonic tone is allowed in treble clef harmony) - 20 points - it will only be graded on clarity of presentation and the flow of the harmonic progression

PURPOSE

1) to know that harmonic progression is a principal organizing force in tonal music

2) to understand that the circle progression - root motion of a descending 5th - is a defining element in tonal music.

3) to memorize and assimilate the "formulas" - ii-V-I, Blues Progression, etc - that are commonly used in music.

4) to sense goal oriented harmonic motion.

WEEK 15

DEC. 12-14

REVIEW - CHAPTER 10: HARMONIC PROGRESSION AND HARMONIC RHYTHM (cont'd)

Last day of classes is Monday.

TESTS None
PRESENTATIONS

MONDAY: Listen to C Major Preludes and Review

WEDNESDAY: Review

TEXT ASSIGNMENTS

MONDAY: Listen to C Major Preludes and Review

WEDNESDAY: Review

PURPOSE 1) to review the semester's materials and topics

2) to improve one's musicianship by applying this knowledge and these skills

Comprehensive Final Exam - 200 pts

 

MUS111-003: Friday, December 16, 3:30-5:30, FAM304

 

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