School
Liberal Arts
Division
Fine & Performing Arts
Department
Music
Academic Level
Undergraduate
Course Subject
Music
Course Number
134
Course Title
Music Fundamentals
Credit Hours
3.00
Instructor Contact Hours Per Semester
47.00 (for 15-week classes)
Student Contact Hours Per Semester
47.00 (for 15-week classes)
Grading Method
A-E
Catalog Course Description
Explains how to read music, including notes, clefs, rhythms, time signatures, scales, intervals, and basic chords. Recommended for the student who has a minimal background in music.
Goals, Topics, and Objectives
Goal Statement
The goal of this course is to introduce the fundamentals of music notation, structure and symbols and assist students who are not fully prepared to absorb the full thrust of music theory courses
Core Course Topics
- Pitch notation reading
- Rhythm notation reading
- Rhythm reading (performance)
- Intervals
- Scales
- Triads
- Keyboard fundamentals
Core Course Learning Objectives (Separated)
- Identify and write notes on treble and bass staves.
- Identify and write all accidentals, including flat, sharp, double flat, double sharp, and natural symbols.
- Identity and write the most common time signatures (2/4, 3/4, 4/4, 6/8, 9/8, 12/8).
- Perform beat and division of beat in the time classifications represented by the time signatures above.
- Construct and identify (utilizing Roman Numerals) triads in major keys.
- Perform major scales in one or more keys at a keyboard.
- Perform major scale vocally utilizing solfeggio.
- Perform "Happy Birthday" in F major three times, playing melody on the piano all three times while singing: note names, solfeggio and lyrics.
- Construct and identify (utilizing Roman Numerals) triads in major keys showing the ability to identify the abstract patterns and apply them in different keys.*
* Fulfills the HFC General Education Outcome for critical thinking and problem solving.
Assessment and Requirements
Assessment of Academic Achievement
- Homework assignments
- Written and oral quizzes, tests
Texts
Basic Materials in Music Theory, by Harder, P. & Steinke, G., Chapters 1-5, portions of Chapters 8, 10, and 11
Allyn and Bacon/Longman Publishers
Outcomes
General Education Categories
- Humanities and Fine Arts
Institutional Outcomes
- Humanities
MTA Categories
- Category 5: Humanities and Fine Arts
Credit for Prior College-Level Learning
Other Details
Determined by department
Approval Dates
Effective Term
Fall 2014
Review Semester
Fall 2014