Mus 1010 Introduction to Music Theory
Fall 2005 Syllabus TR 11-11:50
Dr. Bruce Curlette: 766-7565; e-mail: curlette
Web Site: http://people.cedarville.edu/employee/curlette/index.html#classes
Philosophy of Education: Love does not always wear a friendly face.
Slogan for the Year: Ve are not bebies.
Texts
Stefan Kostka & Dorothy Payne, Tonal Harmony, 5th edition (McGraw-Hill, Inc., New York: 2000).
Stefan Kostka & Dorothy Payne, Workbook for Tonal Harmony, 5th edition
Staff paper
Course Description
A introductory study of the principles of diatonic harmony up to triads in inversion, emphasizing both the written and
aural aspects.
Course Objectives
The student will be able to recognize and use standard musical notation and vocabulary for the musical elements of
pitch and rhythm, including clefs, scales, intervals, and key signatures. In addition, the student will be able to
construct and recognize triads and seventh chords. The student will also develop the ability to aurally identify scales,
rhythm, modality, intervals and chord quality.
Course Outline
In this class we will work through the first four chapters of the text. You will be expected to prepare for class by
reading that portion of the text which will be discussed during the class period. Written assignments will be taken
from the workbook and occasionally from outside sources. These assignments will be handed in at the BEGINNING
OF CLASS. No work will be accepted late . If you are absent, you are to get your assignment to me by the end of
the day in which the assignment is due. In order to insure that the material is being assimilated, frequent pop quizzes
will be given over material covered in previous class meetings. Please Note: Missed quizzes will not be made up and
will result in a “0” (zero) unless you have a doctors excuse. With a doctors excuse, the quiz still will not be made up,
but you will not be penalized for missing it.
Schedule
(K-P refers to the Kostka and Payne text, WB refers to the Workbook)
Thurs., 8/25
K-P Ch. 1, Introduction, Pitch notation, clefs
Tues., 8/30
Major scales and key signatures, WB ex. 1-1, 1-2
Thurs., 9/1
Minor scales and key signatures, WB ex. 1-3
Tues., 9/6
Aural Skills Development of major and minor scales
Thurs., 9/8
Scale degree names, Intervals, WB ex. 1-4, 1-5
Tues., 9/13
Review of material, WB ex. 1-6
Thurs., 9/15
Aural Skills Development of intervals
Tues., 9/20
Review for Ch. 1 Test
Thurs., 9/22
Test on K-P, Ch. 1
Tues., 9/27
K-P, Ch. 2 Elements of Rhythm, WB ex. 2-1
Thurs., 9/29
Simple and Compound duple and triple meter, WB ex. 2-2, 2-3
Tues., 10/4
Quadruple meter, WB ex. 2-4
Thurs., 10/6
Aural Skills Development of rhythm and meter
Tues., 10/11
Review for Test, Ch. 2
Thurs., 10/13
Test on K-P, Ch. 2
Tues., 10/18
K-P, Ch. 3 Introduction to Triads and 7th chords, WB ex. 3-1
Thurs., 10/20
Fall Break
Tues., 10/25
7th chords, WB ex. 3-2
Thurs., 10/27
Inversions, WB ex. 3-3A (only)
Tues., 11/1
Inversion symbols and figured bass, WB ex. 3-3B
Thurs., 11/3
Figured bass, WB ex. 3-4, pp. 25-26 only
Tues., 11/8
Review Ch. 3, ex. 3-4, pp. 27-29
Thurs., 11/10
Aural Skills Development of major and minor triads, seventh chords
Tues., 11/15
Continuation of Above
Thurs., 11/17
Test on K-P Ch. 3
Tues., 11/22
K-P Ch. 4. Diatonic triads in major and minor, WB ex. 4-1
Thurs., 11/24
NO CLASS Thanksgiving Break
Tues., 11/29
Continuation of Ch. 4
Thurs., 12/1
Diatonic 7th chords in major and minor, WB ex. 4-2
Tues., 12/6
Continuation of Above
Thurs., 12/8
Review for Exam
Final Exam:
Tuesday 12/13, 10:30-12:30 (Exam will be on Ch. 4 and Aural Identification from the entire semester.)
Grading Factors
20 pct
15 pct
15 pct
15 pct
35 pct
Written Assignments and Quizzes
Chapter 1 test
Chapter 2 test
Chapter 3 test
Final
Please Note: If you have a disability covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act for which academic
accommodations might need to be provided in this course, please contact me or the Academic Assistance Office (Mrs.
Marilyn Meyer, Ext. 7633, meyerm@cedarville.edu) as soon as possible so that the appropriate accommodations can
be determined and arranged.
Note: This syllabus does not constitute a contract between the instructor of this class and the students enrolled in the
class. Items contained in the syllabus are subject to change with notice from the instructor.