Course overview
This course aims to develop a fluent and functional understanding of musical concepts and conventions related primarily to Baroque, Classical and Romantic music of the 18th-19th Centuries, as well as to 20th century popular music. A range of theoretical concepts will be investigated through the study of selected musical scores. Students will be expected to listen to works and analyse written scores. Topics to be explored include revision of the basics of tonality and analytical conventions, development of skills and understanding in diatonic and chromatic harmony, including part writing, voice leading, chord functions, secondary functions, harmonic analysis, and analysis of music in binary and ternary forms. Functional skills will be further addressed through assessment and tutorial work involving part-writing, composition, sight-singing, and/or transcription.
Course learning outcomes
- Confidently read, describe and analyse a range of music and musical scores using appropriate terminology
- To recognise musical techniques and develop awareness of musical aesthetics through score analysis and listening critically to a wide range of music
- To recognise musical techniques and develop awareness of musical aesthetics through score analysis and listening critically to a wide range of music
- To understand various composers' and performers' use of melody and harmony through transcription and analysis
- To undertake in-class and at-home exercises to build performance-related skills in musicianship