Following are descriptions of the
main components of this text. They can be accessed by clicking
on the navigation buttons found above. After reading the
remainder of this page, take some time to explore these
buttons and see what you discover. Whenever you wish to
return to this page, choose the "Components" button.
Outline
This page contains
an outline of the main topics of each lesson including
the appropriate placement of the creative projects and
exams. Also included are study hints for dealing successfully
with the course material.
Lessons
The lessons take on the tasks of both “textbook” and “lectures.” Built
into thel lessons are midi sound examples, graphics and
interactive exercises along with the written text.
Look at the navigation bar for Lesson 1 to
your left. Each lesson has numerous topics that can be
accessed by this navigation bar. You can also go through
each lesson by using the navigation arrows located at the
top right and bottom right of each page. The last page
of each lesson is a table that contains a summary of the
lesson's main topics.
Located below the lesson topics in the side
navigation bar are appropriate links to the Practice Drills,
Written Assignments, Creative Projects and Sample Exams.
Practice
Drills
Two types of Practice
Drills are included. Some of the drills are
in the form of PDF documents that can be printed, completed
with pencil and paper, and checked by comparing it to
a key or submitted for a grade. Other drills are interactive
practice drills providing immediate feedback and will
provide you with a large amount of repetition and drill
according to your individual needs. It is important that
you work with these drills until you can do them with
both speed and ease.
Finale
Tutor
The Finale Tutor explains
some of the main concepts concerning the use of the free
software notation program that can be used for the Creative
Projects. These projects can be completed using any preferred
notation software, though.
Written
Assignments
Written assignments
in the form of PDF documents are meant to be printed
by the student and completed with pencil on paper. For
each lesson, there are at least two assignments--one
has an answer key that can be accessed for self-grading.
At least one other similar assignment is included for
which there is no key. An instructor may choose to have
you submit these for a grade. Because the skills required
for these assignments will be the same as those necessary
to complete the Midterm and Final Exams, it is very important
that the assignments be completed easily and accurately.
If you encounter difficulty with an assignment, review
the written lesson and then spend additional time with
the related practice drills.
Enrichment assignments
are provided for those instructors and/or students who
wish to be fluent with the C clefs. They are highly recommended
for music majors.
Creative
Projects
Creative projects may
be assigned for which you will use the theoretical skills
learned in the lessons to create your own music. For
these projects, you can use the free downloadable music
notation software (Finale NotePad).
As an alternative, you could also use Sibelius,
a very powerful, yet easy-to-use notation software program.
Using either software program, you will be able to compose
music at the computer and then listen to it (even with
the correct instrumental timbres!).
Sample
Exams
Sample midterm and
final exams are provided with answer keys. There are
two sample midterm exams: Sample Midterm A does not include
exercises using the C clefs other than simple note naming.
Sample Midterm B involves the C clefs extensively. There
are three sample final exams. Version A is similar to
its comparable midterm version in its limited use of
the C clefs. It also does not involve the inversions
of triads and seventh chords. Version B does include
chord inversions, but still is very limited in its use
of C clefs. Version C involves all of the material of
the lessons.
"Note-ables"
" Note-ables" are
PDF files you will want to print and keep in a notebook.
They contain quick reference materials for the main concepts
learned in the course (e.g., key signatures). One note-able
is blank manuscript paper that can be printed and copied.
Piano
Keyboard
When you click on the
small keyboard in the top navigation bar, a piano keyboard
with note names will appear in a separate browser window.
Until you have internalized it, this graphic may be a
handy tool for you when progressing through the topics.
MIDTERM
AND FINAL EXAMS are taken in person
with pencil and paper.
|