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Course Outline
 

Prelude

The Art of Music
Lesson 1 Pitch notation
Lesson 2 Rhythm notation
Preliminary Project Using Finale NotePad
Lesson 3 Scales/Major scales (including diatonic modes, chromatic, whole-tone, pentatonic, octatonic, and tone row; also major scales and key signatures)
Creative Project A Compose several melodies according to given parameters
Lesson 4 Minor scales and key signatures
Creative Project B Compose several melodies according to given parameters
Lesson 5 Intervals I (intervals without accidentals)
Lesson 6 Intervals II (all intervals)
   
MIDTERM (Lessons 1-6)
   
Lesson 7 Triads (root position only)
Lesson 8 Triads (inversions)
Lesson 9 Harmony I (chord progressions, analysis, nonharmonic tones, harmonization, compound meter, transposition)
Creative Project C Harmonize (write an accompaniment for) a given melody
Lesson 10 7th chords (root position only)
Lesson 11 7th chords (inversions)
Lesson 12 Harmony II (more nonharmonic tones, harmonic rhythm, analysis, harmonization, accompanimental patterns)
Creative project D Compose a melody and add your own accompaniment
   
FINAL EXAM (Lessons 1-12)
Study Hints
  • Read each lesson carefully, being sure to study the musical examples and interactive activities thoroughly.
  • Complete the exercises/drills provided before attempting the written assignment. The time you spend on the drills will help you immensely as the material becomes more complex.
  • Although answers to some of the written assignments are provided, it is important that you thoroughly think through and write out your answers before checking them. Looking ahead at the correct answers without writing is a gross error. It leads to vague answers, guessing, and consequently, poor learning. I even recommend that you score each assignment in order to get a clear picture as to how well you understand the material.
  • Be sure each lesson is thoroughly mastered. If a lesson is especially difficult, review it before going on to the next lesson.
  • Carefully study mistakes made on self-graded assignments. Review the lesson material, as necessary, to understand why the mistakes were made.
  • For each creative project, move beyond making the composition "technically" correct. Sound is the essence of the art; therefore, always listen to your creative projects.