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Music 101 – The Fundamentals of Music

Section #0371

Instructor: Mike Hiscocks
Office: Music Department Office “D”
Phone: (310) 233-4409 FAX: (310)233-4223(Use a cover sheet with my name.)
Email: hiscocm@lahc.edu
Office Hours: Tues 2:30 - 5:30; Wed. 3:30 - 5:30; Thurs. 11:30 - 12:30; or T.B.A.

TEXT: Practical Theory Complete by Sandy Feldstein

COURSE OBJECTIVES: Students will learn to…

  • interpret the pitch and rhythmic value of notes written on a musical staff,
  • apply concepts of meter as they relate to musical performance and notation,
  • construct major and minor scales on a musical staff and at a piano keyboard,
  • differentiate between varying key signatures in major keys and in minor keys,
  • construct and identify diatonic and chromatic intervals,
  • construct and identify diatonic and chromatic triads and dominant seventh chords,
  • analyze chord construction to determine chord root, quality, and inversion,
  • compose simple chord progressions using smooth voice leading,
  • create simple melodies using chord tones and passing notes,
  • and calculate transposition of melodies and chord progressions.

This is an introductory course that is intended for musicians and non-musicians alike.
    GRADING: Point system Basis:
    A = 900-1,000 pts 2 Quizzes 200
    B = 800-899 1 Mid-term 150
    C = 700-799 1 Final Exam 150
    D = 600-699 10 Worksheets 250
    F = 000-599 Workbook Lessons 100
    2 Concert Reports 50
    Attend/Participation 100
    TESTS & QUIZZES: Two quizzes (100 points each) will be given during the semester. (Missed quizzes must be made up within one week of the original quiz date.) One cumulative Mid-term exam (150 pts.) and one cumulative Final Exam (150 pts.) will be given.

    WORKSHEETS: Students will complete 10 Worksheets during the course of the semester in addition to work in the text. When a student turns in a worksheet it will be checked and incorrect answers will be marked. The paper will then be returned to the student to “FIX” the incorrect portions of the worksheet. Full credit for a worksheet (25points) will be awarded when the student has successfully completed all of the exercises on that worksheet.

    WORKBOOK LESSONS: Each student will turn in his or her workbook (class text) to be checked twice during the semester. Students will earn up to 50 possible points each time the books are collected. (For a total of 100 possible points.)

    KEYBOARD: Students will learn and practice the following keyboard skills over the course of the semester: The ability to play individual pitches written on a staff, rhythmic patterns written on a staff, specified intervals and chords, chord progressions with smooth voice leading. Keyboard skills are considered in assigning “attendance and participation” points.

    CONSISTENT AND PROMPT ATTENDANCE AND ACTIVE CLASS PARTICIPATION ARE CONSIDERED IN ASSIGNING THE FINAL GRADE.

    CONCERTS: Students will attend two concerts (25 points each) and turn in a completed one-page concert attendance form (available from your instructor or the Music Dept. office.) Concert reports should be submitted within one week of attending the event.

    EXTRA CREDIT: Students may earn extra credit for lab sessions (up to 50 points at 5 points per session) or by turning in an extra concert report for an additional 25 points.


    Music 101- The Fundamentals of Music
    Tentative Class Schedule
    WEEK LECTURE TOPICS ASSIGNMENT

    One The Staff, Treble & Bass Clef Text Lessons 1-8
    Rhythm, Keyboard Notes, Time Signatures Worksheet #1

    Two Grand Staff, Leger Lines, Rhythm Lessons 9-20
    Rests, Other Time Signatures, Ties, Slurs Worksheet #2

    Three Eighth Notes, Accidentals - sharps, flats, Lessons 21-30
    naturals, Whole/Half Steps, Chromatic Scale Worksheet #3

    Four Quiz #1 covering material in lessons 1-30 Lessons 31-40
    Major Scales and the Circle of Fifths Worksheet #4

    Five Dynamics , Tempo, & Other Symbols Lessons41-48
    Sixteenth Notes, Dotted Eighth Notes Worksheet #5

    Six Intervals – Harmonic & Melodic Lessons 49-52
    Diatonic Intervals, Chromatic Intervals Worksheet #6

    Seven Mid-Term Exam covering lessons 1-52 Lessons 53-56
    Compound Meter, Triplets, and Syncopation. Worksheet #6

    Eight Chords – Major Triads, Lessons 57-60
    Chords Related to Keys, Progression Worksheet #7

    Nine Chords – Dominant Seventh Chords Lessons 61-64
    Chord Inversions Worksheet #7

    Ten Transposition Lessons 65-68
    Minor, Augmented, & Diminished Chords Worksheet #8

    Eleven More Chord Progressions Lessons 69-72
    More Inversions, More Transposition Worksheet #9

    Twelve Quiz #2 covering lessons 53-72 Lessons 69-72
    More Inversions, More Transposition Worksheet #9

    Thirteen Minor Keys & Scales Lessons 73-80
    Harmonizing, Composing, Passing Notes Wrksht #9 & 10

    Fourteen Minor Key Chord Progression Lessons 81-84
    Composing & Harmonizing in Minor Worksheet #10

    Fifteen REVIEW FOR FINAL EXAM Worksheet #10

    FINAL EXAM DATE & TIME:
    Final Exam - Thursday, December 20, 2007 at 1:00 PM (1:00 - 3:00 PM)
    HINTS ON HOW TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN THIS CLASS:

    1. Come to class every day. I know that it is tempting to take a “day-off” every now and then, but remember that we cover a lot of material in each class session and all of the new material in this course builds on what has been previously covered. If you must miss a class be sure to keep up with the work in your textbook and call or see me to ask any questions that you have and to pick up any worksheets that were handed out.

    2. Be sure that you are here to take all of the quizzes and tests that are given. Make-up quizzes must be taken outside of regular class time and must be completed within one week of the original quiz date. Even if you think you are not adequately prepared for a quiz you should come to class and give it a try anyway. You will want to use your corrected quizzes to study for the Final Exam. (Remember that extra credit points are possible to help make up for poor test grades.)

    3. Spend time in the Music Department Computer Lab. The computer exercises in the lab correspond to the lessons in your text and are a great way to reinforce what you learn in class and in your study at home. You may also use the lab for individual or group study. Plan to spend some time practicing the “Keyboard Application” skills in our piano practice rooms if you do not have a piano at home. DON’T WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE AND THEN TRY TO CATCH UP. IT USUALLY DOESN’T WORK IN THIS TYPE OF CLASS!

    4. Stay on schedule with text and worksheet assignments. Learning to read and write music is similar to learning a new language. Each section of new material that we will cover in class builds upon what you have already learned in previous lessons. Just as you can’t learn to read without first learning the alphabet, you can’t learn about intervals and chords without a firm grasp of scales and key signatures. IF YOU FEEL YOURSELF FALLING BEHIND IN YOUR WORK, PLEASE ASK FOR HELP IMMEDIATELY!

    5. Take advantage of the extra credit points. There are several opportunities to earn extra credit points, which will serve as “insurance” against poor performance on a quiz or test. Lab sessions and an extra concert attendance report are easy and sure-fire ways to raise your grade.