Humanities Arts Cultural Stu 0232 - Musical Explorations: Theory, Analysis, and Composition

This course introduces students to basic mechanisms of diatonic harmony. Through analysis, performance, and composition, we will build a solid working understanding of basic principles of melody, harmony, and form common in many musical traditions that we consume in our everyday lives. In the first half of the course, we explore composition in 4-part polyphonic texture with and without modulation. In the second half, we explore modes as storytelling devices. Throughout the semester, we study different ways to build a larger coherent structure from smaller melodic motifs and harmonic progressions. Students attend two class meetings and one ear training session per week. Multiple ear training sessions will be scheduled according to class members' availability (typically in the early evening or Friday afternoon). Student interested in taking this course need to take the diagnostic evaluation in the first class Keywords:Music theory, harmony, voice-leading, modes, storytelling

Students should expect to spend 6-8 hours weekly on work and preparation outside of class time