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  • Music Fundamentals
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  • Uploaded: 10/12/2017 04:44:05 PM PDT

An introduction to the notation and fundamental theoretical elements of Western music, demonstrated through a variety of styles, covering: pitch and rhythm concepts and structures, basic formal elements, and fundamental musicianship.  Development of skills in handwritten notation is expected.  In addition, interpreting music, written and aurally, with regard to its broad historical and cultural context will be covered, and critiquing different musical genres and styles in order to make aesthetic judgments about them by applying criteria from the knowledge and principles of music theory learned in class.

Includes but is not limited to:

    1. handwritten notation of pitch and rhythm
    2. simple and compound meters
    3. basic properties of sound
    4. intervals
    5. key signatures
    6. diatonic major and minor scales
    7. diatonic triads with elemental harmonization of a melody
    8. introduction to the dominant 7th chord
    9. basic phrase and cadence structure (authentic, half, deceptive)
    10. fundamental aural skills
    11. application of elements to style, including broad cultural and historical factors

Objectives and Outcomes language based upon the above course content to be developed by individual programs within their local curriculum process.

Including but not limited to written exercises and examinations.

Clendinning, J., West Marvin, E., Phillips, J. The Musician’s Guide to Fundamentals, 2nd Ed.

White, Gary C. Music First!. Brown and Benchmark, latest edition

Steinke, Greg.  Basic Materials in Music Theory.

Duckworth, William. A Creative Approach to Music Fundamentals.

Gerhold, John. A Plain English Guide to Music Fundamentals. Kendall-Hunt, latest edition

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  • Suitable for both music majors (as a pre-requisite for further music theory study) and non-majors, this course may satisfy a general education requirement in lower-division curricula, and is commonly transferable in a baccalaureate program.

  • Revised 7/5/2017

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