Syllabus

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COURSE DESCRIPTION

An introduction to the fundamentals of music. Prerequisite for MU 2310, 2320, and 1770. May be counted towards the theory requirement for Music Technology and Business majors and for music minors. (For major concentrations other than MTB, this course does not count towards the theory requirement.) Catamount Core: AH1

GOALS

While focused on music reading and writing, this course takes a sound-to-symbol approach. That means we will work to hear, understand, and actively produce sound (clapping, speaking, singing, playing) for every musical concept introduced before we see how to write it. (The vast majority of introductory theory courses and textbooks take instead a symbol-to-sound approach.) Expect to sing, chant, clap, and play in class.

In this course you will learn:

to speak, sing, clap, and play notated rhythms in simple and compound meters
to notate rhythms in simple and compound meters
to conduct standard metric patterns while speaking or singing in rhythm
to speak basic rhythms using both takadimi and traditional Western rhythm syllables
to identify pitches on the piano keyboard and in staff notation, in both treble and bass clefs
to write and read staff notation, including realization on voice, recorder, and keyboard
to sing simple melodies at sight, using solfège
to play simple melodies from notation on keyboard and on recorder
to write and identify major and minor scales and key signatures
to write and identify precisely all intervals
to write and identify triads and seventh chords, in both staff notation and via chord symbols
to identify and describe simple musical forms using letters to label phrases or sections
to read and write standard Italian terms and abbreviations for dynamics and tempo
to hear, write, and perform standard chord progressions for 12-bar blues and rhythm changes
what is my favorite color: green

ACTIVE MUSIC MAKING

is integral to this course. We will sing, clap, move, recite, and play keyboard and recorder, both as group activities and for individual graded assessment. For keyboard practice, you may use the Southwick practice rooms or the electronic keyboards in the Music Tech Lab, in addition to your Nektar mini keyboard controller (see below).

REQUIRED MATERIALS

Nektar SE25 MIDI keyboard controller ($50 at Sweetwater Sound)
You may also need a USB to USB-C adapter, depending on your laptop ports.
Soprano recorder with Baroque fingering, such as the Yamaha YRS-24B or YRS-20 models. (available at Sweetwater Sound for $8 or at the music kiosk in the UVM bookstore)
Music manuscript paper, 8½ x 11, available at the UVM bookstore (or individual pages may be printed from the course website)
Sharp pencils with working erasers. Don’t try to do music theory in pen.
Recommended: earplugs (or inactive earbuds/headphones) for recorder practice and class playing

There is no textbook. I will be creating all written materials as we go. Expect to print several dozen pages over the semester, including some hard-copy assignments. Even if you print 150 pages, this will cost around 10% of a typical commercially published textbook.

EVALUATION

Written assignments 20%
Quizzes (in class) and online drills 30%
Tests 1 & 2 (15% each) 30%
Final Exam 20%
Attendance: see below

WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS

There is written work assigned almost every class meeting. Some will be collected and graded, some corrected in class and checked off as complete/incomplete (pass/fail). Grades will be reduced by one full letter for each class day late. Once a given assignment has been returned, late submissions may not be accepted.

QUIZZES

include both written and performance assessments in class or individual meetings, and online at teoria.com. Performance will include rhythmic recitation, singing (usually while also conducting) and playing keyboard and recorder. Quizzes and tests may be made up only for excused absences. If you know you will miss class, or you have a true emergency, notify me as soon as possible by email.

TEST DATES

Sep. 30 25 and Nov. 4 ~~Oct. 28~~ in class; final exam Dec. 9. Speaking of dates, I was born on lucky Friday the 13th, at 13:13 hours (this is true).

ATTENDANCE

...is required. This class is participatory. Your presence is vital for you to practice musicianship skills we are working on, and also for your contribution to the musical activity of the larger group. Each unexcused absence beyond two lowers your course grade by a percentage point. If you need to miss a class let me know.

HELP

Do not wait until you are behind to get help. Music is a progressive discipline and hard to cram for.

I am available to help you via email, phone, and in person. If my regular office hours (listed above) do not work for you, contact me to schedule other meeting times.
The Center for Academic Success offers free tutoring by advanced music students: 656-4075.

ELECTRONIC DEVICES

Off, unless needed for an official learning accommodation, or while we are using MIDI keyboards in class. Be here now!

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

All work must be your own except on specified group assignments. Inappropriate collaboration will result in loss of all credit for all parties involved. Further consequences may result according to the UVM Code of Academic Integrity.

RELIGIOUS HOLIDAYS

Students have the right to practice the religion of their choice. Submit a documented religious holiday schedule to me by the end of the second full week of classes.

DISABILITY ACCOMMODATIONS

If you have a documented disability and wish to discuss accommodations, please contact me as soon as possible, but no later than the third week of classes.

SCHEDULE

Week 1 (Aug. 26) Introduction to the Course and to Meter

Week 2 (Sep. 2) Rhythm and Simple Meters; Introduction to Pitch

Week 3 (Sep. 9) Pitch and the Keyboard; Introduction to Recorder

Week 4 (Sep. 16) More Advanced Rhythms

Week 5 (Sep. 23) Melody and Major Scales
Test #1 on ~~Thursday Sep. 25~~ Tuesday Sep. 30

Week 6 (Sep. 30) Intervals I: seconds and thirds

Week 7 (Oct. 7) Triads

Week 8 (Oct. 14) Minor Scales

Week 9 (Oct. 21) Minor Scale Forms and Other Modes

Week 10 (Oct. 28) Compound Meters
Test #2 on ~~Thursday Oct. 30~~ Tuesday Nov. 4

Week 11 (Nov. 4) Intervals II: fourths, fifths, sixths, sevenths

Week 12 (Nov. 11) Harmonic Progression

Week 13 (Nov. 18) Seventh Chords

…week of Nov. 25: Thanksgiving Break

Week 14 (Dec. 2) More on Chords and/or Review

Final Exam Tuesday Dec. 9 4:30-7:00 pm