MUS20650 Music Theory 2

Academic Year 2024/2025

This module builds on the skills learned in Music Theory 1, focusing on tonal and formal theories applicable to repertoires of the eighteenth and early-nineteenth century. Students’ harmonic vocabulary is increased by further examination of the principles of tonality, prolongation, cadence, modulation, and dissonance, and the module provides an in-depth grounding in analysis and composition of thematic syntax and simple binary forms. The module not only expands students’ music literacy, but provides a pathway to further extensive music theory and analysis as explored in Music Theory 3 in the spring. This module is supported by small-group tutorials which reinforce the students’ learning through analytical and theoretical exercises, and by Practical Musicianship classes, which focus on aural skills and basic keyboard harmony.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of the module students should be able to:
- demonstrate a foundational knowledge of the interaction between harmony and melody, and the processes that underpin common-practice tonal composition.
- recognise and identify melodic, harmonic, and cadential idioms of the classical style.
- analyse, examine, and evaluate aspects of music syntax (periods, sentences, etc.).
- engage critically with some simple forms (binary forms).
- play simple chord progressions (using primary and secondary triads) on the keyboard, and to harmonise a simple melody at sight.

Indicative Module Content:

Parts 3 and 5 of Burstein & Straus, Concise Introduction to Tonal Harmony (New York & London: W.W. Norton, 2020).

Parts 2, 3, and 4 of Aldwell, Schachter & Cadwallader, Harmony and Voice Leading (Boston, MA: Cengage Learning, 2019).

Parts 1 and 2 of Caplin, Classical Form: A theory of formal functions for the instrumental music of Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven (Oxford and New York: Oxford University Press, 1998).


Harmony and voice leading
Melody, motive, diminution
Prolongation and cadence
Dissonance and modulation
Analysis and composition of musical form
Aural skills
Basic harmonic progressions and melodic harmonisation at the keyboard
Introduction to music notation software

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

22
Tutorial

11
Practical

6
Specified Learning Activities

24
Autonomous Student Learning

37
Total

100
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
In-person lectures
Face-to-face tutorials
Face-to-face practicals
Individual listening and practice
Task-based learning
 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Recommendations:

Students attempting this module must have completed MUS10190, Music Theory 1, or equivalent.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Incompatibles:
MUS20430 - Harmony & Keyboard Harmony


 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade

Not yet recorded.

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Not yet recorded.

Burstein & Straus, Concise Introduction to Tonal Harmony (New York and London: W.W. Norton, 2020).
Aldwell, Schachter and Cadwallader, Harmony and Voice Leading (Boston, MA: Cengage, 2019).
Caplin, Classical Form: A theory of formal functions for the instrumental music of Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven (Oxford and New York: OUP, 1998).
Name Role
Mr Connor Wilcox Lecturer / Co-Lecturer