MUS-1155 Music Theory I

Credits 3
Music Theory I introduces students to practices musicians use to understand and communicate the language of music. Students explore fundamentals of music such as diatonic harmony, all inversions of triads and seventh chords, key signatures, major and minor scales, figured bass, non-chord tones, phrase analysis, cadences, foundational counterpoint, and chord connection. Students learn basics of four-part writing procedures within a diatonic framework. Sight-singing skills for scales and melodies are developed. The concepts in this course draw on examples from the Common Practice Era (1600-present.)

*Students must consult with the music area coordinator prior to enrolling in this course*
Prerequisite(s):

Note: Students without a music theory background must take MUS -1005 to fulfil their Arts/ Humanities General Education requirement.
Course Outcomes

Identify the elements of harmony found in a musical score, including tonality, cadences, and form.
Construct triads, seventh chords, and in four-part chorale texture.
Harmonize an existing melody in four-part chorale style, using tonic, dominant and subdominant chords.
Identify aurally and notate intervals, scales, triads, melodies, and chords.
Sight-sing scales, intervals, and melodies with solfeggio.