Theory
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1. Cogswell Polytechnical College
Desktop Audio Production &
College of Engineering Sciences
Fall 2007
General Course Information
Course Title: Music fundamentals
Instructor: Zack Ferris Phone: (415-305-7942)
e-mail address: funktofugue@gmail.com
Class schedule: Tuesday & Thursday 4:30-6:30PM
Credit: 2 semester hours (2,2)
Required text: Practical Guide to Music Theory, Melody in Songwriting
Lab manual: Room: 224 (Sound Design Lab)
Course Description
Music fundamentals is a course that gives a solid overview of music I. It focuses on scales specifically on the modes. The course will introduce basic form, transposition and how to write a song. Students will have a solid understanding of rhythm.
Objectives
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Understand rhythm: quarter notes, time signatures,
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Triads
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Intervals
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Full understanding of modes: Ionian, Dominant, Dorian, Phrygian, Aolian, Lydian, Subtonic
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Introduction to basic form
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How to transpose
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The beginning steps on writing a song
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How to write a good melody (different TIPS)
Requirements
Each student will demonstrate both conceptual and practical understanding of modes . Each student will have a firm grasp on form and the initial steps involved in writing a song. You will have lab assignments throughout the term, as well as quizzes, and a final. You will also have required readings in the textbook and from other assigned sources.
Syllabus by week
Week Topic
I) Introduction
A) Go around the room introducing
B) Rhythm
C) Intervals
II) Rhythm
A) Quarter notes, half notes, whole notes, rests
B) Measure 4/4; 6/8
III) Major/ Minor/ Triads-
A) Major scale formula
B) Triads
IV) Circle of fifths
A) Sharps
B) Flats
V) Intervals
A) M3s, M2, M6,
B) P4, P5
C) Intervals.15.16
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NOTE p63 Reference
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12
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TENSIONS
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9s,11s,13s
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VI) Form Simple: I, iv, V/ I , bVI, V, ii, V, I
A) 9
B) Advanced 27
VII) Modes
A) Ionian
B) Dorian/ Aelian/ Phrygian
C) Mixolydian/ Lydian
VIII) Secondary Dominants :17
IX) Cadences
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Deceptive cadence ii, V, vi
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19
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FULL, PLAGAL, HALF
X) Melody Writing
A) Writing melody from chords
B) Writing chords from Melody
XI) EXAMPLES of melodies
A) Rush
B) Claire de la Lune
C) Blues
XII) Work on melodies
A) Five different visual scenarios
XIII) Melodies TRICKS
A) Augmentation vs Diminuition
B) Truncation vs. extension
C) Pedal Tones
D) Rhythmic retention vs. dispacement
E) Sequences vs. segmentation
F) Interversion vs. elision
G) Inversion/ retrograde/ permutation
XIV) WORK on Melodies
XV) Work on transcriptions
XVI) Transcriptions
XVII) REVIEW
XVIII) FINAL
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Labs, exams and grading Grading scale
Quizes 25% 90 – 100
Final Project 25% 80 – 89 B
Final exam 50% 70 – 79 C
60 – 69 D
Below 60 F