SeattleCentralCommunity College
Humanities/Social Sciences Division
Music 101 (Music Theory)
Brian Kirk e-mail:
Web address:
Office Telephone: 206 587-6338
Office: BA 204 Hrs: By Appointment
Music 101 Music Theory
Syllabus
This course is intended to provide students the background in skills and information necessary for advanced study in music. This course is designed for all students including those with little or no previous knowledge as well as those with knowledge and skills in some areas but with deficiencies in others.
The approach used in the instruction of this course will provide students with 1) work in written concepts, terminology, and notation 2) exercises in music reading or sight-singing, and 3) practice in ear training. Students will be instructed in the use of various percussion instruments for the instruction of rhythmic notation and concepts.
This class is an excellent supplement for beginning, intermediate and advanced piano students. Instrumentalist and vocalist will benefit from the musical concepts learned in this course. Live performances from musicians, video presentations and hands-on music making are essential components of the class.
Participation in computer classroom lab assignments is mandatory for this class.
Course materials:
Text:Introductory Musicianship (7th Edition)
Author:Lynn, Theodore A. Thomson Learning
Finale Notepad Notation Software (http//
Arpege Music Software Pizzicato
Music notation paper: (binder form or notation book 10 or 12 Staves) #2 pencil.
No music written in pen will be accepted!Free Staff Paper
Grading Policy for Music 101
500 / 200 / 50 / 50 / 200 / 1000
Point Total / Decimal Grade
971 - 1000 / 3.9 – 4.0
941 - 970 / 3.7 – 3.8
911 - 940 / 3.5 – 3.6
881 - 910 / 3.3 – 3.4
851 - 880 / 3.1 – 3.2
821 - 850 / 2.9 – 3.0
791 - 820 / 2.7 – 2.8
761 -790 / 2.5 – 2.6
731 -760 / 2.3 – 2.4
701 -730 / 2.1 – 2.2
671 -700 / 1.9 – 2.0
641 - 670 / 1.7 – 1.8
611 - 640 / 1.5 – 1.6
600 - 610 / 1.3 – 1.4
571 - 599 / 1.1 – 1.2
499 - 570 / 1.0 - .07
Grading Policy Based on 1000 points
Assignment Point Totals
Textbook Worksheets / 25 pointsComputer Classroom Lab Work / 10 points (Required 2 days per week)
Ear Training/ emusictheory.com / 15 points
Total Points (3 categories per assignment) / 50
Course Objectives:
Provide understanding of musical concepts and analysis which will prepare the student for further experience in music as well as further study in music history, form and analysis, music education and performance
Provide instruction in sight-reading and aural skills which will prepare the student for further experiences in music as well as further study in conducting, teaching, performing, and composition.
Provide instruction in basic keyboard skills’ which will prepare the student for further experience in music as well as further study in music education, theory, teaching, and performance.
Provide instruction in basic composition and notation skills ‘which will prepare the student for further experiences in music as well as further study in arranging, orchestration, and composition.
Student Outcomes
The student will write clear, appropriate music manuscript by hand.
The student will write melodies and explore creative composition
Students will understand the keyboard arrangement through scales and intervals
The student will analyze and discuss simple musical forms
The student will sight sing beginning level diatonic musical examples using scale degree numbers.
The student will learn the use of music notation software, and electronic sequencing software to compose short pieces using music fundamentals learned in this course
Assessment:
Students will demonstrate their level of competence in understanding and mastery of these outcomes through their regular homework assignments, mastery quizzes, online music theory drills and exercises (of sight-singing and rhythm reading assignments) and examinations.
Course Expectations:
Class Participation
Students are expected to be at every class session barring highly unusual conflicts or illness. It is not likely that you will successfully complete the work required unless you attend class regularly, including the lab sessions. If you must miss a class, or a lab session notify the instructor in advance by email or call the instructor’s office. It is the responsibility of the student to ask the instructor for assignments which were missed due to an absence. Excessive absence may result in lowering of the student’s grade.
Students with Exceptional Learning Abilities
If you need course adaptations or accommodations due to a disability, or if you have emergency medical information to share, or require special arrangements in case of emergency evacuation; please make an appointment with me as soon as possible.
Required Work Outside of Class:
In addition to class time, the minimum amount of time required to complete the assignments in each of the following areas is:
Ear Training Website (emusictheory.com) / 2 Hours Weekly
Angel Learning Portal (online testing) / 4 Quarter Hours (see examination schedule)
Examination Schedule
Exam / Date / LocationQuiz #1 / 10/03/08 / Online
Midterm Exam / 10/31/08 / Online
Quiz #2 / 11/21/08 / Online
Final Examination / 12/08/08 / Online
Week 1
Unit 1 Page 1-18.
Unit 2 (page 33) Read and study (Classroom Lecture and Practice)
Assignment #1
Worksheet 1-1 through Worksheet 1-6. Page 19-24.
Complete Week 1 emusictheory.com assignments
Week 2
Unit 2 Rhythms (this unit will be a classroom lecture and practice)
Assignment #2
Worksheet page 25 – 28 1-7, 1-8, 1-9, 1-10
Complete Week 2 emusictheory.com assignments
Week 3
Quiz #1 (online) / Date / Points PossibleChapter 1
/ 10/9/08 / 50
Unit 3 Scales, Keys and Modes (Page 83)
Unit 2 (Rhythmic studies) Unit 2c: Group 3 (Classroom Study)
Assignment #3
Review Test of Unit 1 page 29 – 31.
3-1 through 3-2 (page 107 worksheets for Major keys only)
Complete Week 3emusictheory.com assignments
Week 4
Assignment #4 (2 parts)
1)Page 110 Worksheet 3-3, 3-4 (ONLY ONE WORKSHEET)
Complete week 4 emusictheory.com assignments
2) Original CompositionFinale Music Software/Pizzicato/ReasonStudents may use any of the programs that interest you for the purpose of composing music.
Compose a short rhythm and or melodic composition of a minimum 32 measures.
This is a creative assignment of which there are no restrictions.
The composition must have the following:
1)Title
2)Composer’s Name
3)Metronome marking (tempo) Example: Quarter note = 132
4)Double bar at the end of the composition
Bar lines at the ends of each measure (except bar number 1)
Week 5
Minor Keys
Unit 3h Page 91
Unit 5 Intermediate Rhythmic and Melodic Exercises (in class lecture and practice)
Assignment #5
Page 111 Worksheet 3-5 through 3-10
Complete week 5 emusictheory.com assignments
Week 6
Unit 3h Minor Keys continued
All course material covered to date / 10/31/08
/ 200
Assignment #6
Page 117 Worksheet 3-11 through 3-14
Complete Week 6emusictheory.com assignments
Week 7
Unit 4 Intervals
Assignment #7Complete Week 7 emusictheory.com assignments
Worksheet 4-1 through 4-5. Page 137 – 142
Week 8
Intervals continuedAssignment #8
Complete Week 8 emusictheory.com assignmentsWorksheet 4-6 through 4-9 Page 143-147
Week 9
Intervals continued
Assignment #9
Page 148-149 Worksheets 4-10, 4-12 Complete Week 9emusictheory.com assignments
Quiz #2 (online) / Date / Points PossibleIntervals
/ 11/21/08 / 50
Week 10
Assignment #10
Complete Week 10emusictheory.com assignments
MUSICAL COMPOSITION
Option 1
Compose a music composition for piano using Finale Music Software/Pizzicato. You must use the Grand Staff. Use a whole rest for any clef where there are no notes to be played in a given measure. The music should be at least 16 measures in length. (Repeat signs are fine) The scales that you have learned must be used as the basis for your melody. On a separate sheet of paper (to be attached to the composition) describe the scale from which your melody is derived.
Note: Your piecemust contain a melody for full assignment credit. You may use chords if you wish. The composition must have the following information:
1) Composers name
2) Music Title
3) Tempo marking
4) Measure numbers
5) Bar lines at the end of each measure throughout the entire composition, with a Double Bar at the end of the composition.
6) Correct rhythmic values within each measure
You must send the song to my email account for credit.
Music Theory 101
Option 2
Create an original music composition using Reason software. Using the devices, effects and rack synthesizers that you have learned to use in this course, create your own song. (32 measures minimum)
You must send the song to my email account for credit.
Week 11
1) MUSIC COMPOSING
2) listening to student compositions
3) Final Examination Review Theory Concepts
Final Examination Date
Monday December 8, 2008
Late Assignment Policy
Assignments must be submitted on or before the due date for full credit.
Students who (for any number of valid and invalid reasons) do not turn in assignments or take home examinations at the beginning of the class on the day it is due, can submit their work until the beginning of class the following day for half credit.
One day late = 50%
I Will Not Accept Examinations from the Second Day-On After the Original Due Date. I Will Not Accept Final Examinations after the specified Due Date Time.
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