Materials and Design
MUSC 103
Fall 2016
| Section:
01
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Music consists of sounds and silences. Diverse composers, songwriters, performers, and improvisers use these basic materials in accordance with their particular musical idioms and traditions. Sometimes music is passed down aurally; sometimes it is written down as a set of instructions for performers or as a record of an ephemeral sonic event. This course is an introduction to contemporary Western musical design and notation. Throughout the semester, we'll improve our musicianship through singing, playing, listening, analyzing, reading, and composing. We'll learn common terminology for sounds and their properties of frequency, duration, volume, and timbre. We'll analyze and employ methods of organizing musical materials into songs and compositions. We'll learn the notational system widely used for European art music, discussing it strengths, weaknesses, and relevance to popular and non-Western musics. By the end of the semester, students will be able to recognize written symbols and vocabulary for pitch, rhythm, volume, speed, form, articulation, and expression; perform simple notated pieces vocally or at the keyboard; transcribe, perform, and/or transpose simple pieces of music by ear; and compose simple pieces in the style of Renaissance counterpoint. Students can achieve success in this course without previous musical knowledge. |
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| Credit: 1 |
Gen Ed Area Dept:
HA MUSC |
| Course Format: Lecture / Discussion | Grading Mode: Graded |
| Level: UGRD |
Prerequisites: None |
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Fulfills a Requirement for: (MUSC) |
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Past Enrollment Probability: 90% or above |
| SECTION 01 |
Major Readings: Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore
Jonathan Harnum, BASIC MUSIC THEORY: HOW TO READ, WRITE, AND UNDERSTAND WRITTEN MUSIC. 3rd edition. Sol Ut Press: 2009.
Carol Krueger, PROGRESSIVE SIGHT-SINGING, 2nd edition. New York: Oxford University Press, 2011.
E. L. Lancaster and Kenon D. Renfrow, ALFRED'S PIANO 101: BOOK 1.
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Examinations and Assignments:
Graded work will include weekly assignments, two midterm examinations, and a final examination. Students will prepare vocal and keyboard exercises for each skill section meeting. |
Additional Requirements and/or Comments:
Students are required to attend a weekly one-hour skills section; time to be arranged. Students with an AP Music Theory score of 4 or 5 may place out of Music 103. These students should consult with the instructors regarding placement in 201 or 202. Students with other theory background may take a placement test, available from the instructor at the beginning of the year. All applicants for admission to the music major are required to have passed this course at the time of application. Students considering the music major should take it at the earliest possible time. |
| Instructor(s): Waterman,Alex Times: ..T.R.. 08:50AM-10:10AM; Location: RHH003; |
| Total Enrollment Limit: 60 | | SR major: 0 | JR major: 0 | | |
| Seats Available: 19 | GRAD: X | SR non-major: 3 | JR non-major: 3 | SO: 22 | FR: 32 |
| Drop/Add Enrollment Requests | | | | | |
| Total Submitted Requests: 1 | 1st Ranked: 0 | 2nd Ranked: 0 | 3rd Ranked: 0 | 4th Ranked: 0 | Unranked: 1 |
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