Seattle Central College
Humanities/Social Sciences Division
Music Department
Music 141 (Music Theory I)
Spring Quarter 2014
Professor Brian Kirk M.A. Music
Office: Broadway Performance Hall Room 204. Hours: By appointment only
Website:
http://seattlecentral.edu/faculty/bkirk/
Primary email
Brian.Kirk@seattlecolleges.edu
Secondary email
bkirksccc@yahoo.com
Music Theory 141
Syllabus
This course is intended to provide students with skills and information necessary
for advanced study in music. This course is designed for all students including
those with little or no previous knowledge as well as those with knowledge and
skills in some areas but with deficiencies in others. The course teaches Music
Fundamentals. The approach used in the instruction of this course will provide
students with 1) work in written concepts, terminology, and the nomenclature of
music notation 2) exercises in music reading, sight-singing, and ear training to
develop the “musical ear” 3) drills in rhythm using exercises that incorporate
clapping rhythmic patterns and melodic singing.
All instrumentalist and vocalist will benefit from the knowledge of music
fundamentals studied in this course.
Participation in computer classroom lab featuring music notation software, music
theory web-based drills, and creative composition lab assignments is mandatory for
this class, and points are tallied into the calculation of your grade. Attendance to
all class sessions is mandatory to be successful in this class.
Students with Exceptional Learning Abilities
If you need course adaptations or accommodations due to a disability, or if you
have emergency medical information to share, or require special arrangements in
case of emergency evacuation; please make an appointment to discuss your needs.
1
Course materials:
Text: Introductory Musicianship (8th Edition)
Author: Lynn, Theodore A. Cengage Learning
Music notation paper: (binder form or notation book 10 or 12 Staves) #2 pencil.
http://linkwaregraphics.com/music/manuscript/
Grading Policy for Music 141
Assignments
500
Midterm
Exam
200
Quiz #1
Quiz #2
50
50
Point Total
971 - 1000
941 - 970
911 - 940
881 - 910
851 - 880
821 - 850
791 - 820
761 -790
731 -760
701 -730
671 -700
641 - 670
611 - 640
600 - 610
571 - 599
499 - 570
Final
Exam
200
Total
1000
Decimal Grade
3.9 – 4.0
3.7 – 3.8
3.5 – 3.6
3.3 – 3.4
3.1 – 3.2
2.9 – 3.0
2.7 – 2.8
2.5 – 2.6
2.3 – 2.4
2.1 – 2.2
1.9 – 2.0
1.7 – 1.8
1.5 – 1.6
1.3 – 1.4
1.1 – 1.2
1.0 – 0.0
Grading Policy Based on 1000 points
Assignment Point Totals
Textbook Worksheets
Computer Classroom Lab Work
Ear Training/ emusictheory.com
Total Points (3 categories per
assignment)
2
25 points
10 points (Required 2 days per week)
15 points (all work must be completed)
50 points
Course Objectives:
Provide understanding of music fundamentals which will prepare the student for
further experience in music as well as further study in music history, form and
analysis, music education and performance.
Provide instruction in sight-reading and aural skills which will prepare the student
for further experiences music performance and composition.
Provide instruction in basic keyboard/piano skills including knowledge in sight
reading, scales, fingerings, and the understanding of the grand staff.
Provide instruction in computer composition and software notation skills which
will prepare the student for further experiences in music as well as further study in
music performance, composition and audio production.
Student Outcomes
The student will write clear, appropriate music manuscript.
The student will write melodies and explore creative composition.
Students will understand the piano keyboard arrangement through scales, simple
melodies and intervals.
The student will have the ability to understand simple musical forms.
The student will be able to sight-sing beginning level diatonic musical examples
using scale degree numbers, and to notate rhythms in various meters.
The student will learn the use of music notation software, and electronic music
sequencing software to compose short pieces using the music fundamentals learned
in this course.
Assessment:
Students will demonstrate their level of competence in understanding and mastery
of these outcomes through their regular homework assignments, mastery quizzes,
online music theory drills and exercises (of sight-singing and rhythm reading
assignments) and examinations. Homework assignments are based on a
completion grade policy.
3
Class Participation
Students are expected to be at every class session barring highly unusual conflicts
or illness. It is not likely that you will successfully complete the work required
unless you attend class regularly, including the lab sessions. If you must miss a
class, or a lab session notify the instructor in advance by email or call the
instructor’s office. It is the responsibility of the student to ask the instructor for
assignments which were missed due to an absence. Excessive absence may result
in lowering of the student’s grade.
Late Assignment Policy
Assignments must be submitted on or before the due date for full credit.
(Mondays)
Students who (due to absence on the due date) do not turn in assignments at
the beginning of the class on the day it is due, can submit their work until the
beginning of class the following day for half credit.
One day late = 50%
Note: If you have attended the class on the due date and did not finish the
homework due to incomprehension of the material, you can turn in the
homework for full credit the next day. You give notification that more time is
needed.
Required Work Outside of Class:
In addition to class time, the minimum amount of time required to complete the
assignments in each of the following areas is:
WRITTEN WORKSHEETS
Ear Training Website
(emusictheory.com)
Teacher Code: 419 username, password
CANVAS (online testing)
seatttlecentral.org – eLearning
4
5 HOURS WEEKLY
2 Hours Weekly
4 Quarter Hours (see examination
schedule)
Week 1
Unit 1 Page 1-18. (Essential Music Fundamentals)
Read and study all concepts in this chapter
Unit 2 (page 29-36 – Week 1 Lecture material for rhythmic training)
Assignment #1
Worksheet 1-1 through Worksheet 1-6. Page 19-24.
Complete Week 1 emusictheory.com assignments
Week 2
Unit 2 Rhythms Page 37 – 46 (practice the rhythms)
Assignment #2
Worksheet page 25 – 28 1-7, 1-8, 1-9, 1-10
Complete Week 2 emusictheory.com assignments
Week 3
Quiz #1 (online)
Date
Points Possible
Chapter 1
See Calendar
50
Unit 3 - Scales, Keys and Modes (Page 61)
Unit 2c: Rhythmic Studies Page 38 – 42 (practice the rhythms)
Unit 2d: Melodic Exercises Page 45-48
Assignment #3
3-1 through 3-2 (page 81-82 worksheets for Major keys only)
Complete Week 3 emusictheory.com assignments
Week 4
Melodic Singing Exercises Unit 2e Page 49-52
Assignment #4
Page 83-84 Worksheet 3-3 & 3-4
Complete week 4 emusictheory.com assignments
5
Week 5
Minor Keys (Circle of fifths) Page 67-74
Assignment #5
Worksheet 3-5, 3-6, 3-8, (no 3-7) 3-9 Page 85-88
Complete week 5 emusictheory.com assignments
Unit 5 Intermediate Rhythmic and Melodic Exercises
Page 119-122 (Practice the rhythms)
Week 6
Practice page 123 – 126 (3) Coordinated-skill exercises
Assignment #6
Worksheets 3-10, 3-11, 3-12, 3-13 (pages 89-92)
Complete Week 6 emusictheory.com assignments
Week 7
Midterm Exam
All course material
covered to date
(no intervals)
Date
Points Possible
200
See Calendar
Assignment #7
Unit 4 Intervals Pg. 95-106
Worksheet 4-1 through 4-5. Page 107 – 112
Unit 2f Melodic Exercises page 57 – 60 (practice the singing of each example)
Complete Week 7 emusictheory.com assignments
6
Week 8
(Two part Assignment)
Assignment #8 - Part 1 ORIGINAL COMPOSITION #1
Assignment #8 - Part 2
Worksheet 4-6 & 4-7 Page 113-114
Complete Week 8 emusictheory.com assignments
Original Composition 1 – Using Finale Notepad
Students may use any of the programs that interest you for the purpose of
composing music. Compose a short rhythm and or melodic composition of a
minimum 32 measures.
This is a creative assignment of which there are no restrictions.
The composition must have the following:
1) Title
2) Composer’s Name
3) Metronome marking (tempo) Example: Quarter note = 132
4) Double bar at the end of the composition
Rhythms - NEW MATERIAL (7) 127 – 134
(2/2, 3/2, 4/2 time signatures and The Triplet) practice the rhythms
Week 9
Assignment #9
Worksheet 4-8 – 4-9 Pages – 115 -116
Complete Week 9 emusictheory.com assignments
Quiz #2(online)
Date
Points Possible
Intervals
Scales
See Calendar
50
7
Week 10
Assignment #10
Part #1) Worksheet – 4-10 and 4-12 Pg. 117 – 118
Complete Week 10 emusictheory.com assignments
Week 10
Part #2 Assignment 10 -MUSICAL COMPOSITION (Composition #2)
Option 1
Compose a music composition using Finale Notepad. You must use the Grand
Staff FOR PIANO.
The music should be at least 32 measures in length. (Repeat signs are fine)
The scales that you have learned must be used as the basis for your melody.
On a separate sheet of paper (or email message attachment to the
composition) describe the scale from which your melody is derived.
Note: Your piece must contain a melody for full assignment credit.
Option 2 (Composition # 2 only)
Students will create an original musical composition using Reason software.
Using the devices, effects and rack synthesizers that you have learned to use in this
course, create your own song. (32 measures minimum)
Written analysis is required for all Reason Compositions and an instructional
handout is provided for students.
8
Planning Calendar Spring 2014
Week
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Friday
Thursday
April/May/June
1
7
Quarter begins
8
9
10
11
2
14
Assignment 1
15
16
17
18
3
21
Assignment 2
22
23
24
25
Quiz #1
Canvas
4
28
Assignment 3
29
30
May 1
2
5
6
7
8
9
6
12
Assignment 5
13
14
15
16
7
19
Assignment 6
20
21
22
23
Midterm Examination
Canvas
8
26
27
Assignment 7
28
29
30
June 2
Assignment 8
Composition #1
3
Extra Credit
Performance
4
5
Extra Credit
Performance
6
Quiz 2
Canvas
10
9
Assignment 9
10
11
12
13
Assignment 10
Worksheets/Comp.#2
11
16
Final
Examination
Canvas
17
19
20
Quarter Ends
5
Assignment 4
HOLIDAY
9
9
18
FINALS
FINALS