Theory Of Tonal Music I

Curriculum Guideline

Effective Date:
Return to Course
Print Guideline
Course
MUSC 1110
Discontinued
No
Course Code
MUSC 1110
Descriptive
Theory Of Tonal Music I
Department
Music
Faculty
Language, Literature & Performing Arts
Credits
3.00
Start Date
End Term
Not Specified
PLAR
Yes
Semester Length
15 weeks
Max Class Size
20
Contact Hours
Lecture: 2 hours per week Tutorial: 2 hours per week
Method(s) Of Instruction
Lecture
Tutorial
Learning Activities

Concepts and techniques are presented and discussed in the lectures; applications will be worked on in the tutorials; assignments are undertaken by the students.

Course Description
First part of a comprehensive study of the melodic, harmonic, rhythmic and formal elements of tonal music. Review of rudiments; study of basic diatonic chord progressions; analysis of small structural units.
Course Content

 

  1. The Properties of Sound:  Introduction to acoustics and the harmonic series.
  2. Melody: interval types, scale types; melodic structure; sequences.
  3. Rhythm: metre types; rhythmic patterns in metrical contexts; syncopation and hemiola.
  4. Harmony: types of triads and seventh chords and their inversions; figured bass symbols; lead-sheet symbols; roman numeral labels; tonic, dominant, and predominant chord functions; cadence types; introduction to non-harmonic tone types.
  5. Form: phrase types and period structures; motivic construction; graphic representation of formal analysis.

 

Learning Outcomes

The student will learn basic theoretical principles of tonal music. The student will be expected to:

  1. provide an analysis of representative musical excerpts;
  2. demonstrate notational fluency with basic tonal and rhythmic materials;
  3. provide written answers to questions on any aspect of the course content.

Means of Assessment

Evaluation will be carried out in accordance with the Douglas College Evaluation Policy.

Assignments (minimum of 5)

15%

Class Participation (including homework checks)

10%

Quizzes (minimum of 5)

20%

Speed Drills (minimum of 10)

10%

Tests (minimum of 2)

20%

Final Examination

25%

TOTAL:  

100%
Textbook Materials

Required texts such as the following:

  • Kostka, Stefan, Dorothy Payne and Byron Almen. Tonal Harmony with an Introduction to Twentieth-Century Music. New York: McGraw-Hill. Plus accompanying workbook.
Prerequisites

Meets or exceeds minimum thresholds on the Music Theory Assessment.

Which Prerequisite

MUSC 1210