MUSI 120 - Music Theory I: Basic Concepts & Skills
MUSI 121 - Music Theory II: Melodic Structures & Diatonic Harmony
MUSI 220 - Music Theory III: Chromaticism & Formal Practices
MUSI 221 - Music Theory IV: Extended Chromaticism & Contrapuntal Genres
MUSI 320 - Music Theory V: Twentieth-Century Compositional Practices
MUSI 120 - Music Theory I: Basic Concepts & Skills
Music Theory Homepage | Syllabus | Aural Skills Outline | MacGamut Instructions
An intensive review of music fundamentals is followed by basic elements including introduction to the tonal framework, scales and modes, intervals, basic chords, and chords in tonal context. Functional harmony is introduced at the basic level to include tonic, subdominant, and dominant harmonies. Emphasis is placed on melodic writing and two-voice textures from first through fourth species counterpoint. A weekly aural skills class develops conceptual listening skills through sight-singing and aural dictation activities.
MUSI 121 - Music Theory II: Melodic Structures & Diatonic Harmony
Music Theory Homepage | Syllabus | Aural Skills Outline | MacGamut Instructions
Melodic organization, thematic development, and phrase structure are followed by non-chordal decorative pitches. Harmonic structures include the study of all diatonic triads, seventh chords, and their inversions in a functional harmonic context. Emphasis is placed on part writing in four-voice textures and analysis of diatonic harmonies and melody. A weekly aural skills class develops conceptual listening skills through sight-singing and aural dictation activities.
MUSI 220 - Music Theory III: Chromaticism & Formal Practices
Music Theory Homepage | Syllabus | Aural Skills Outline | MacGamut Instructions
Chromaticism is approached through the study of secondary function harmonies, including secondary dominants and secondary leading-tone chords and how they function in modulations to closely-related keys. Basic formal practices are covered including binary, ternary, and variation forms. Larger formal units such as sonata and rondo forms are also introduced. Emphasis is placed on writing modulations to closely-related keys through the use of secondary function chords in a formal context. A weekly aural skills class develops conceptual listening skills through sight-singing and aural dictation activities.
MUSI 221 - Music Theory IV: Extended Chromaticism & Contrapuntal Genres
Music Theory Homepage | Syllabus | Aural Skills Outline | MacGamut Instructions
This course begins with contrapuntal genres including the chorale prelude, the two-voice invention, and fugal processes. Expanded chromatic harmonies such as Neapolitan and augmented sixth chords are followed by modulation to distantly related keys. Increased chromaticism and tonal ambiguity are explored by expanded tertian structures, enharmonic usages of chromatic harmonies, and chromatic third relationships. A weekly aural skills class develops conceptual listening skills through sight-singing and aural dictation activities.
MUSI 320 - Music Theory V: Twentieth-Century Compositional Practices
Music Theory Homepage | Syllabus
This course explores the multiple stylistic practices of the twentieth century, beginning with the extension of tonality to a point of tonal ambiguity. First, chromatic elements in a tonal context are explored, including exotic scalar materials and exceptions to tertian structures. Analysis of atonal music is approached with two primary foci: nonserial atonality and serial atonality. Emphasis is placed on the analysis of nonserial atonal music through pitch-class set analytical procedures. Study of formal practices of twentieth-century music emphasizes the resurgence of contrapuntal techniques and processes.