MUS10210

This module prepares students for more advanced music theory modules by focusing intensively on musical notation and the elements of Western music theory in order to give students confidence with the fundamentals. Through a combination of lectures and small-group tutorials, students will work on the notation of pitch and rhythm, rhythmic duration and rests, metres, clefs, scales, key signatures, relative and parallel keys, intervals and their qualities, triads, and chords. Students will be given the tools necessary to achieve fluency and agility in handling this material.

The module will also include the exploration of melody, harmony, rhythm and timbre as fundamental elements of music. These elements will be elucidated through an introduction to score reading. In weekly tutorials students will have the opportunity to develop their music literacy skills in small groups where attention will also be devoted to the development of sight-reading skills.

IMPORTANT: For students studying music as part of their programme in the BA or BA Humanities, a short music theory examination will be available to you during the registration period. If you achieve less than 80% in this exam, you should take Musicianship. If you achieve a higher grade you can proceed directly to Music Theory 1 in the spring trimester.