Humanities Arts Cultural Stu 0251 - Musical Explorations: Theory, Analysis, and Composition

This course builds upon students' basic understanding of the mechanisms of diatonic harmony as a sonic world-building tool. Through analysis, performance, and composition, we will further develop a solid working understanding of the principles of melody, harmony, and form common in many musical traditions that we consume in our everyday lives. Assignments will include writing short melodies and accompaniments as well as more detailed compositional and improvisational projects. We will use our instruments and voices to bring musical examples to life in the classroom. There will be a diagnostic evaluation administered in the first class to ensure that students have an ability to read both treble and bass clefs, have a good grasp of intervals and triads, and that they are ready to apply them in analysis and composition. Email the instructor to take the diagnostic evaluation (joba@hampshire.edu). The instructor's permission will be given based on the result. Keywords: music, music theory, diatonic harmony

Prerequisite: Students must know basic music theory. Students in this course can expect to spend 6 to 8 hours weekly on work and preparation outside of class time.