Stevens Institute of Technology
College of Arts and Letters
HMU 201 Music Theory I
Fall 2009
Tuesdays & Thursdays / 4:45-6:00 / Morton 105
Name of instructor: Andy Brick
Office: Morton 112
Office hours: Tuesday 3:15-4:00
Telephone extension: Please use email
Email address: abrick@stevens.edu
Catalog Course Description: With the presumption of no previous formal study, Music Theory I presents
the fundamental materials and procedures of tonal music. The students are introduced to elements of music
theory, including scales, key signatures, intervals, triads, seventh chords, Roman numeral and figured bass
analysis, 4-part writing, and first species counterpoint. Aural skills are developed with the introduction to
"fixed-do" solfege. This is the first class of a four-semester sequence. In general, in the first two
semesters, students are introduced to the basic technical materials of their art. They learn to read in
the various clefs; they acquire the ability to identify by ear the specific rhythmic, melodic, and
harmonic events occurring in music of relative simplicity; they master the fundamental concepts of
harmony and counterpoint; and they become acquainted with principles of musical form.
Prerequisites: None
Goals from CAL statement of mission which are applicable to this course:
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Promote a fuller understanding that the traditional humanities, social sciences and arts can be obtained through the
study of science and/or technology.
Increase awareness of cultures and societies other than one’s own.
Improve writing
Increase one’s love of learning for its own sake.
Course Objectives & Goals; Assessment Tools. Did this course:
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Provide a strong foundation in the rudiments of music theory including the creation and
identification of keys, scales, chords, triads, intervals and rhythm.
Enhance the ability to read various musical clefs
Learn to visually identify rhythmic, melodic, and harmonic events
Learn to aurally identify rhythmic, melodic, and harmonic events
Learn basic concepts of 4 part harmony, counterpoint, syntactic functions and voice leading
Required text, DVD, and CD set:
 Harmony and Voice Leading, Edward Aldwell & Carl Schachter
 Workbook 1 for Harmony and Voice Leading
Edward Aldwell & Carl Schachter ISBN-10: 0155062263
 Rhythmical Articulation (A Complete Method) Pasquale Bona
 Visual Solfeg: A Systematic Visual Practice Method for Attaining
Skill in the Use of Solfeg Syllables for Sight Reading and Ear
Training. Russel Nelson
Course structure: HMU 201 is a lecture course with frequent student participation and in-class group
exercises. Regular homework is assigned from the accompanying workbook and homework assignments are
directly reflected on quizzes and exams. Students will be required to demonstrate their understanding of
harmony and voice leading in short compositional assignments.
Course Schedule: next page.
Course Schedule:
Course Weeks/Days
Topics
Homework (note: readings are
listed on Listening Lab documents)
Week 1:
H&VL Pgs 3-21
Diagnostic Exam
Course Overview
The Primary Materials and Procedures.
Basics in Keys, Scales and Modes
Workbook Chapter 1 pgs 1-8 all.
Prepare SS01a.pdf Sight Singing
Prepatory Exercises
(Please note for SS01a you need
only recite (not sing) the English
letter names (not solfeg) of every
staff system.
Week 2:
H&VL Pgs 22-34
Intervals
H&VL Pgs 36-46
Rhythm & Meter
Basic Concepts of Rhythmic Reading
Presentation of Web resources.
HOMEWORK: Workbook
Chapter 2 pgs 9,10, 11, 14.
HOMEWORK: Textbook
Exercises #1a,b,c 2a,b,c 3a, & 4
Week 3:
Week 4:
Week 5:
Week 6: 10/6, 10/8
Week 7:
Quiz: Chapter 1 Keys Scales and Modes:
Approx 20-30 minutes. Remainder of
class will be on sight-reading and Solfeg.
See notes for 03b for specific details.
Quiz: Chapter 2 Intervals: Approx 20-30
minutes. Remainder of class will be on
sight reading and Solfeg. See notes for
04a for specific details.
Quiz: Chapter 3 Rhythm:
H&VL Pgs 47-56
Triads and Seventh Chords
Treble Clef Sight Reading with Sofeg
H&VL Pgs 57-end of Chapt
Triads and Seventh Chords
Introduction to 4 part writing
Treble Clef Sight Reading with Sofeg
Introduction Species Counterpoint
Rhythm Singing rs02
Sight Singing ss02
H&VL Pgs 63-80
4 part writing
Treble Clef Sight Reading with Sofeg
MIDTERM
Keys & Scales
Homework: Workbook all of
Chapter 4 except pages 27+28
Homework: Workbook all of
Chapter 5 except pages 39#2
Intervals
Cant Firm & 1st Species
Simp. Analysis of Triads and Seventh
Chords
Fig bass
Sight Singing Prep in Major
Rhythmic Singing Prep
Week 8:
Tonal Cadences I, V, and V7.
Week 9:
Tonal Cadences Cont. I6, V6, VII6.
Inversions of V7
Week 10:
Quiz: Tonal Cadences and inversions of
V7
Week 11:
Leading to V: IV,II, and II7.
Week 12:
Week 13:
Leading to V, IV,II, and II7. pt 2
The Cadential 6/4.
Week 14:
Final Exam Concepts
FINAL:
Homework: Workbook all of
Chapter 6
Homework: Workbook Chapter 7
pg 47-8#1(a,b,c,i,j,k) pg 49
(a,b,c,h,i) pg 50 (1,2,3,5,7)
Homework: Workbook Chapter 8
Pg 54 #s 1,2,3 Pg 56 #1, Pg 57 #3
& #6
Homework: Workbook Chapter 8
Pg 61 all, pg 62#1, pg 65#4 (give
complete Roman and arabic
numeral analysis)
Homework: Workbook Chapter 8
Pg 61 all, pg 62#1, pg 65#4 (give
complete Roman and arabic
numeral analysis)
Review for final
Review for final
Concert Report due, 12/10
Grading policy:
There are approximately 627 points available for the semester. The first 3 quizzes “Music Theory Boot
Camp” will cumulatively total approx 150 points. Midterm=100 points Quiz 4 = 91 points, Final Exam =
236 points. Missing homework can deduct up to 60 points from your semester total.
Adding and/or dropping the course:
Consult the registrar’s website (http://www.stevens.edu/registrar/) for information re: add/drop policies.
Honor board policies:
Enrollment into the undergraduate class of Stevens Institute of Technology signifies a student’s commitment
to the Honor System. It is the responsibility of each student to become acquainted with and to uphold the
ideals set forth in the Honor System Constitution. Specific student responsibilities include: Maintaining
honesty and fair play in all aspects of academic life at Stevens; writing and signing the pledge, in full, on all
submitted academic work; reporting any suspected violations to an Honor Board member or to the Dean of
Student Development; cooperating with the Honor Board during investigations and hearings.
The pledge signifies that the work submitted by a student is indeed his/her own. There is one designated
pledge to be used for tests, homework assignments, lab reports, and computer projects. The pledge shall be
written in full and signed by the student on all submitted academic work. Any references used (including
texts, tutors, classmates, etc.) should be listed below the written pledge: “I pledge my honor that I have
abided by the Stevens Honor System.”
Students with disabilities:
If you require special accommodations due to a disability, or if you need individual arrangements should the
building be evacuated, you must inform the office of Student Counseling and Psychological Services, Dr.
Terence Hannigan, Director, in the Howe Center, 7th floor (x5177), and ask that he inform the instructor as
early as possible.