MUSC& 141 - Music Theory I

Credits: 5
LEC hours per week: 5
The study of music logic, music theory, is intended to complement the musical intuition most vocalists and instrumentalists already have. Music is a complex and highly organized art, whether it is a Mozart concerto or a jazz improvisation. While providing a rational knowledge of music through the study of basic musical concepts and terminology, including analysis, composition, ear-training and sight singing, a study of music theory interacts with the musician’s intuition, bringing a deeper understanding and appreciation of music. All students will learn to apply their knowledge to the keyboard in a basic though useful way.
Course Outcomes:

Critically analyze music with increasing mastery.
Apply concepts of notation, scale, tonality and keys, intervals, and chords.
Aurally identify and notate rhythmic patters, scales, intervals, and chords.
Perform minor scales, simple intervals, and chord arpeggiations using voice.
Perform scales, intervals, and chords on the piano.

Course Topics:

Musical Orientation: learning to listen.
The Materials of Music: sound and time.
The Fundamentals of Music:
- Notation
- Scales, tonality, keys, modes
- Intervals and transposition chords

Course Attribute(s): Humanities