Mus 282 • Music Theory II

Peter Kun Frary, Professor of Music • University of Hawaii, Leeward


Mus 282 PDF

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Course description

A continuation of Mus 281, Music Theory I. Fundamental concepts in music theory are examined in detail: melodic, rhythmic and harmonic materials; musical structure and form; composition and analysis.

  • Three credits: 3 hours of class instruction.
  • Prerequisite: Mus 281.
  • Co-requisite: Mus 284.

El Maestro

Textbooks

Russell, Armand & Allen Trubitt. The Shaping of Musical Elements. Vol. 1. New York: Schirmer, 1992.

Russell, Armand & Allen Trubitt. The Shaping of Musical Elements Workbook. Vol. 1. New York: Schirmer, 1992.

General information

Mus 281 is both a lecture and laboratory course. Lecture materials are reinforced with hands-on-experience in class. Therefore, attendance and participation are essential in this course. Furthermore, Theory I follows the basic outline of the textbook, but the format and details are mine. Hence, being absent from class:

  • Will cause you to miss materials and activities not in the text.
  • Will put you at a severe disadvantage for exams and projects.
  • Has a negative impact on your final grade (see "Attendance policy").

Mus 282 presumes a working knowledge of music fundamentals and basic music theory: staff notation, scales, intervals, chords, keys, melodic and harmonic analysis and simple SATB harmonization. Without a mastery of these skills and knowledge, you'll have grave difficulty in this course.

The materials of this course unfold as a continuum. Each concept or skill is built on a prior concept or skill. It is imperative to complete reading and workbook assignments on time. Otherwise, new materials will be hard to understand.

Materials

Music manuscript paper (8.5" x 11"), a soft-lead pencil and your textbooks are required for class sessions. An instrument capable of harmony and melody (e.g., piano or guitar) is needed to help you complete music writing assignments at home. Use of professional music notation software, e.g., Finale, Finale Music Print or Composer's Mosaic, is recommended for projects.

Course objectives

These are the skills and knowledge you should reap by semester's end:

  • The ability to analyze music in terms of melody, harmony, counterpoint, texture and form.
  • The ability to write music with control of melodic structure, tonality, harmony, texture and form.
  • The ability to harmonize melodies in four parts using triads, seventh chords, secondary dominants, borrowed chords, chord inversions and modulation.
  • An introduction to polyphonic writing and analysis: two-voice counterpoint and imitation.
  • An understanding of the relationship between harmonic/melodic tension and musical interpretation.
  • The ability to define and use musical terms given in reading assignments and lectures.
  • A heightened perception of the art of music making.

Student objectives

To realize the course goals you must:

  • Attend class regularly and participate in class activities and rehearsals.
  • Be on time for class sessions. Late arrivals are disruptive to the class and instructor.
  • Complete assignments by due dates.
  • Study assigned materials at least one hour per day.
  • Play and listen to all writing and analysis assignments.
  • Ask questions or ask for help when, after careful study, you do not understand something.

Homework

Each chapter of the workbook contains written and aural exercises to go with the text. We correct the homework in class (they're not graded): each student writes their homework on the board for class study and discussion.

Music theory makes no sense without relating it to musical sounds. Don't merely write the answers in the workbook. Play each exercise so you can hear and feel it. You'll experience the practical application of theoretical concepts. Due dates are listed under the "Class Schedule."

Written tests

To help assess your progress and assign grades, three (3) tests are given. Test materials consist of concepts, skills and vocabulary from the textbook, workbook and lectures. Exams are similar to the workbook exercises. See "Class Schedule" for test dates.

Projects

To help assess your progress and assign grades, two (2) composition and performance projects are assigned. Each project has two grades, one for technical merit (how well conditions of the assignment are met) and one for performance and presentation quality. If you are absent or refuse to perform, you'll receive a failing grade. Detailed instructions will be given in class. See the "Class Schedule" for due dates.

Grading

The tests, projects and performances are assigned points (0-100) and averaged together to form your preliminary course grade. This grade is adjusted for participation and attendance (see below). Grading standard: A, 90-100; B, 80-89; C, 70-79; D, 60-69; F, 0-59. The N grade is not given in this class. Late assignments are not accepted without arrangements made prior to the due date.

For the course grade, your preliminary score is adjusted according to your attendance and participation (see "Attendance policy").

Attendance policy

This is a laboratory course and thus regular attendance and participation is mandatory. If you don't come to class, you can't participate. Your preliminary score will be adjusted according to your attendance and participation records:

  • 1-4 absences: no change
  • 5-7 absences: score lowered by 1 grade (A becomes B)
  • 8-10 absences: score lowered by 2 grades (A becomes C)
  • 11-13 absences: score lowered by 3 grades (A becomes D)
  • 14 or more absences: failure

Tardy policy

For grading purposes, four (4) tardies are considered equivalent to one absence (see "Attendance policy" above).

Attendance policy

Class schedule

Course description

Course objectives

El Maestro

Homework

General information

Grading

Materials

Projects

Sample Paper

Student objectives

Suggested Resources

Tardy policy

Textbook

Written test

Course Syllabi Index

Home

Generic Class Schedule

Semester Session Sequence • See PDF above for current schedule

Session

Assignment

1

Introduction

2

Read Ch 9: 130-37 (figured bass)

3

Workbook: 9.1 & 9.2 (analysis & figured bass)

4

Read Ch 9: 138-142 (1st inversion)

5

Workbook: 9.3 1st line of "a" & 9.5 a- b (harmonize)

6

Workbook: 9.7 a&endash;-d (harmonize)

7

Read Ch 10: 144-52 (6/4 chords)

8

Workbook: 10.1 a-c (analysis), 10.2 a-i (figured bass) & 10.3 "D"

9

Read Ch 10: 152-159 (inversions of the 7th chord)

10

Workbook: 10.2 j-aa

11

Workbook: 10.3 "E," 10.6 a, 10.7 1-2

12

Read Ch 11: 161-68 (NHTs)

13

Workbook: 11.1 (ID NHTs)

14

Workbook: 11.2

15

Test: Ch 9-11, Harmonic analysis & NHTs (T4)

16

Read Ch 12: 174-77 (writing NHTs)

17

Workbook: 12.1 a1; b1; c1 & 12.2 b

18

Read Ch 12: 177-84 (NHTs in figured bass)

19

Read Ch 12: 177-84 (NHTs in figured bass)

20

Project coaching

21

Project coaching

22

Project-performance: SATB piece w/ inversions & NHTs

23

Read Ch 13: 186-96 (nondominant 7th chords)

24

Read Ch 14: 197-210 (harmonic tension)

25

Read Ch 15: 211-23 (texture)

26

Workbook: 15.1 (analyze textures)

27

Read Ch 15: 224-34 (2-voice homophony)

28

Read Ch 17: 247-61 (modulation)

29

Workbook: 17.1 a-d, 17.2 a & 17.6 b

30

Read Ch 18: 263-77 (secondary dominants)

31

Workbook: 18.1 a-d, 18.3 a & 18.5 a

32

Read Ch 19: 279-92 (secondary leading tone chords)

33

Workbook: 19.1 a-b, 19.4 a & 19.6 a

34

Read Ch 20: 293-305 (borrowed chords)

35

Workbook: 20.1 a-d

36

Workbook: 20.3 a.1 & 20.4 a

37

Test: Ch 18-20 (Metacapus analysis)

38

Read Ch 21: 306-323 (form)

39

Read Ch 22 & 23: 324-358 (binary & ternary forms)

40

Study & review

41

Test: Phrase. period & form (T7)

42

Project coaching

43

Project-performance: SATB piece

Attendance policy

Class schedule

Course description

Course objectives

El Maestro

Homework

General information

Grading

Materials

Projects

Sample Paper

Student objectives

Suggested Resources

Tardy policy

Textbook

Written test

Course Syllabi Index

Home

 

Suggested Resources

Books

Benward, Bruce. Music in Theory and Practice. 2nd ed. 2 vols. Dubuque: Brown, 1977.

Cooper, Paul. Perspectives in Music Theory. New York: Dodd, Mead & Co., 1973.

Harvard Dictionary of Music. Willi Apel, ed. Cambridge: Belknap Press of Harvard University Press.

Lynn, Theodore. Introductory Musicianship: A Workbook. San Diego: Jovanovich, 1988.

McKay, Neil & Marian. Fundamentals of Western Music. Belmont: Wadsworth, 1986.

New Groves Dictionary of Music and Musicians. 6th ed. 20 vols. London: MacMillian, 1980.

Piston, Walter. Harmony. 5th ed. New York: Norton, 1987.

Rastall, Richard. The Notation of Western Music. New York: St. Martin's Press, 1982.

Rosecrans, Glen R. Music Notation Primer. New York: Passantino, 1979.

Trubitt, Allen and Robert Hines. Ear Training and Sight-Singing. Book 1. New York: Schirmer, 1979.

Westrup, J.A., & F. Harrison. The New Encyclopedia of Music. New York: Norton, 1976.

Attendance policy

Class schedule

Course description

Course objectives

El Maestro

Homework

General information

Grading

Materials

Projects

Sample Paper

Student objectives

Suggested Resources

Tardy policy

Textbook

Written test

Course Syllabi Index

Home

 

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