Humanities Arts Cultural Stu 0264 - Tonal Theory I

This course is for students with the solid knowledge of Western music fundamentals including the proficiency with staff notation, intervals and chords identification as well as basic melodic and rhythmic sight-reading skills. After a quick review, we first explore functions of melodic and harmonic intervals in species counterpoint. The class then proceeds to the study of four-part diatonic harmony and SATB voice-leading techniques. In this section, we also begin to learn relationships between cadences and forms and compose a four-voice chorale using a binary form for a midterm project. In the last section, we engage in a more comprehensive multi-level analysis with special attention to motivic compositions of music. For their final, students apply the knowledge to analyze a minuet in a basic ternary form and also compose their own for the instrumentation of their choice. In addition to the regular class meetings, participation in the weekly ear training is mandatory.

Independent Work Students are expected to spend 6-8 hours weekly in preparation and work outside of class time. Prerequisites: HACU-119 Musical Beginnings or equivalent, AND the placement test in the first class.