MUSC 121
Music Theory I
Spring, 2013
Syllabus
Instructor: Brian Dilts
Email: bmd35@drexel.edu
Office Hours: N/A
Class Time: MWF @ 11AM
Class Location: MacAlister 2031
Course Description
Music theory is the study of the compositional elements of music. In this class these elements are used to foster two skills: Analysis of
existing music, and rudimentary composition. Music examples for analysis covered will primarily be 18 th and 19th century, and the style of
this period will also be encouraged as a model with composition assignments.
At the conclusion of the term, students are expected to have mastered the fundamentals of tonal Western music, developed rudimentary
compositional skills, and possess the necessary skills to perform an analysis of a simple piece of tonal, diatonic music. Following are the
major topics that will be covered, but not limited to:
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Fundamentals (scales, notation, keys, etc)
Basic construction of triads and seventh chords
Standard chord symbols and harmonic analysis
Cadences
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Phrase construction
Small forms
Basic procedures of harmonizing melodies
Song analysis (if time allows)
Class meetings will be used to lecture on above and other topics, occasionally listen to and discuss musical examples, and to provide
compositional demonstrations of the material.
*It is understood that students have a varying level of musical knowledge and experience. It is your responsibility to review and practice the
topics familiar to you, and to diligently study and practice those topics that are new to you. Music theory is just that – theory. But its mastery
requires the same kind of repetition and practice that you may use to learn a musical instrument.
Attendance
Your attendance is mandatory at each class meeting. The textbook and handouts only cover the essentials of the material; your full
understanding of them will only be complete with the in-class demonstrations and listening. Therefore, a student cannot expect to do well in
the class if they miss.
However, if you miss class from time to time for extenuating reasons (illness, family emergency) or any reason, please take responsibility for
your absence. Contact me to inform me either before or after, get class notes from a classmate, make sure you hand in an assignment if it is
due then, etc. The more responsibly you handle such a situation, the easier it is for me to help you.
If you miss class on the day of a quiz because of an illness and/or family situation, you must inform me of your absence. If that is done, you
may be able to make the quiz up before the next class, though I cannot guarantee a make-up will always be possible. Tests cannot be made
up due to time constraints.
Be forewarned: If a consistent pattern of absences emerges, I reserve the right to lower your final grade without warning. Students cannot
expect to get a good grade by only coming to tests and handing assignments in by proxy.
Distraction Policy
Distractions impede the necessary communication that takes place during class. Distractions interfere with the instructor’s ability to
effectively convey the material being presented, as well as interfere with students’ ability to receive and synthesize such material. Cell phones
MUST be turned to silent (not vibrate) during class and there is to be no texting during class. Distractions include cell phones, laptops*, ereaders, excessive conversation during lectures, and anything that distracts you and/or other students. Please understand that this
policy is in place to provide an atmosphere conducive to learning. Students may be asked to leave class if they are proving a distraction to
others.
*Due to the nature of the subject matter, laptops are not useful for taking class notes. Therefore, it is assumed that a student using a laptop
during class is not participating, which presents a distraction.
Lectures and Reading Assignments
The material for Music Theory I is communicated solely through the use of the required textbook and lectures. The majority of the topics are
covered in the book and lectures are used to reinforce those topics. There are also a few topics that are not covered directly in the book and
lectures therefore will be the only resource for obtaining and understanding the information. The reading assignments and topics are clearly
listed on the class schedule. Lectures and reading assignments constitute the basis of quizzes and tests.
Homework and Quizzes
The understanding of music theory requires much practice and exercise. There is a multitude of quizzes and homework specifically for this
purpose. Following each topic is a homework assignment, usually in conjunction with a short quiz. The combination of the two is designed
to guide you through the material covered on the tests.
Your homeworks are application-based. That is, they help you exercise your knowledge of the concepts through examples. Homework is
graded based on completion. All sections completed, 100%. Each section not completed, -%10. We will review homeworks in class or I will
provide feedback for improvement on the hw itself.
Homework is due in class, or as a scanned attachment by email by classtime if you cannot be in class on the day it is due. Please do not make
a habit of the latter option.
Quizzes are always on the previous chapter’s material. For example, Quiz 1 is on the first three lectures and Chapter 1. They are graded on a
percentage basis. Quizzes are multiple-choice, ten minutes, and taken as soon as the class starts. If a student is late, or misses class, they
may not make it up. The only exception would be if class was missed because of an illness or family situation, and again, communication
must be made with me.
Tests, Composition Assignment, and Final Exam
There will be two tests given throughout the term. They are clearly marked on the syllabus. Students will be given the entire class time to
complete each test. If a student arrives late, they will not be allotted extra time. The class prior to each test will be used as a review session.
Tests are based on the material covered on the syllabus, which will also have been covered by homework and quizzes. So, students will
know exactly what to expect on each test.
There is composition assignment, which is a short, but still musically substantial piece that you will compose based on the principles you
learned throughout the term. It too is scheduled on the syllabus and more information will be handed out at the appropriate time.
Last, your final exam is take-home. It will be handed out on the last day of class. You must be in class to receive an original copy, and I will
not post it on Bb Vista. It will be due Wednesday at noon during finals week in my mailbox in room 2018 (Perf Arts Office).
Total Grade Calculation
Average of homework and quizzes – 1/3 of total grade
Average of two tests and composition assignment – 1/3 of total grade
Final exam – 1/3 of total grade for course
The grading scale is:
A+ = 98-100
A = 93-97
A- = 90-92
B+ = 87-89
B = 83-86
B- = 80-82
C+ = 77-79
C = 73-76
C- = 70-72
D+ = 67-69
D = 63-66
D- = 60-62
F = 59 and below.
Required Textbook and materials
-Book: “Music in Theory and Practice”, 8ed, by Bruce Benward and Marilyn Saker – ISBN: 9780073101873
-Blank music manuscript paper (spiral or loose) and pencils (available in bookstore).
Online Resources
All homework assignments and handouts are available for download on my website: http//briandilts.com/drexel
*Hard copies of the homework and most handouts will be distributed in class, however students are expected to download and print
the material when absent or when otherwise necessary.
For additional help and support with the class material, please consult the following website:
http://www.musictheory.net. It offers tutorials and drilling of most of the material this course covers. It is an invaluable tool for those who
need more practice beyond homework and lectures.
Class Schedule
Week
1
Date
4/1
4/3
4/5
Lecture topic
Introduction/Notation
Notation
Notation
Assignment
Read introduction and chapter 1
None.
HW 1 - due 4/8, Read Chapter 2
2
4/8
4/10
4/12
Quiz 1 on notation. Scales, Tonality, Keys.
Scales, Tonality, Keys
Scales, Tonality, Keys cont.
HW 1 due today, 4/8
None
HW 2 - due 4/15
3
4/15
4/17
4/19
Quiz 2 on Scales, etc. Melodic writing
Melodic writing practices, cont
Intervals
HW 2 due today, 4/15
HW 3 due 4/22, Read Chapter 3
HW 3
4
4/22
4/24
4/26
Intervals cont
Finish Intervals
Quiz 3 on intervals, test review
HW 3 due today, 4/22.
HW 4 due 4/26
Study for Test 1
5
4/29
5/1
5/3
Test 1 on Chapter 1, 2, 3
Chords
Chords continued
Read Chapter 4.
None
None
6
5/6
5/8
5/10
Chords continued
Quiz 4 Chords. VL of chord progressions
Voice leading of chord progressions cont.
HW 5, due 5/8
HW 5 due.
HW 6, due 5/13
7
5/13
5/15
5/17
Cadences and nonharmonic tones
HW 6 due today, 5/13
Cadences and nonharmonic tones cont.
HW 7 handed out, due 5/17
Quiz 5 Cadences/NH tones, Review for test 2 HW 7 due today, 5/17. Study for test 2
8
5/20
5/22
5/24
Test 2, on Chapter 4, 5 and progressions
Melodic organization/analysis
Melodic Organization cont
Read chapter 6 for 5/22
None.
HW 8, due 5/29
9
5/27
5/29
5/31
No class, University Holiday
Quiz 6 melodic. Harmonizing melody.
Harmonizing melody
HW 8, due 6/1
HW 8 due today, 5/29, Comp assignment handed out
Composition Assignment due 6/5
10
6/3
6/5
6/7
Harmonic Analysis
Analysis
Analysis, Take-home final handed out
Comp. assignment, due 6/5
Comp. Assignment due today, 6/5.
Take Home Final *
*Take-Home Final will be due Wed. 6/12 at 12 noon in my box in 2018.
Americans with Disabilities Act - Students with documented disabilities who need course accommodations, have emergency medical information or
require special arrangements for building evacuation should notify the instructor within the first two weeks of class. Verification of any special
arrangements needs to be made through the Office of Disability Services, 3201 Arch Street, Suite 210. For further information visit:
http://www.drexel.edu/ods.
Academic Honesty Policy Drexel University is committed to a learning environment that embraces academic honesty. Please read, understand, and
follow the “Academic Honesty Policy” as written in the Official Student Handbook:
http://www.drexel.edu/studentlife/SLhandbook.htm.