Prerequisites: Open to all students.
Level:              9^th – 12^th grade
Credit:            1.0

Course Description

Students will learn the fundamentals of music theory and four-part harmonization.  They will learn the pitches on the grand staff, intervals, scale and chord construction,  rhythm duration, time signatures, key signatures, tonic and dominant cadences, and tonic and dominant part-writing.

Course Outline

I.                    Basics I

A.     Pitch on the staff

B.     Pitch on the keyboard

C.     Quiz 1

D.     Intervals

1.      Half-steps

2.      Whole-steps

E.      Major scales

F.      Quiz 2

G.     Scale-degree names

H.     Major key signatures

I.        Minor scales

J.       Quiz 3

K.    Scales-degree names in minor

L.      Minor key signatures

M.   Quiz 4

N.    The circle of fifths

O.    Relative and parallel keys

P.      Scales and keys

Q.    Test 1

II.                 Basics II

A.      Intervals

1.      Perfect and major intervals

2.      Minor intervals

3.      Diminished intervals

4.      Augmented intervals

B.      Terminology for other intervals

C.      Identifying intervals

D.      Inversion of intervals

E.       Spelling descending intervals

F.       Compound intervals

G.      Intervals quiz

H.      Consonance and dissonance

I.         Chords

1.      Triads

2.      Triads in a key

3.      Chords larger than a triad

4.      Seventh chords

5.      Inversion of chords

6.      Figured Bass

J.        Staff Notation

K.     Test 2

III.               Basics III

A.     Duration

1.       Note and rest values

2.       Tempo

3.       The beat

4.       Grouping of Beats

5.       Simple and compound beat

6.       Time signature

7.       Interpretation of time signatures

8.       Beaming notes for rhythmic clarity

9.       Triplets, duplets, and quadruplets

10.   Rhythmic transcription

   Midterm exam

IV.              Tonic and dominant I

A.     Cadences

1.      The cadence

2.      The cadence in relation to form

3.      Harmony at the cadence

Quiz

4.      Spelling tonic and dominant chords

5.      Cadences incorporating dominant harmony

6.      The cadence in minor keys

7.      Spelling tonic and dominant triads in minor keys

Test

8.      Cadences incorporating dissonance

9.      Other cadences

a.       The Picardy third

b.      Empty fifth

10.  Cadences in a melodic line

11.  Spelling intervals from major triads

12.  Triads outlined in melodies

13.  Keyboard harmony

Quiz

V.                 Tonic and dominant II

A.     Part writing

1.      Conventional procedures

2.      Writing a single triad

3.      The connection of repeated triads

4.      Writing the authentic cadence

5.      Writing in phrase length

6.      Harmonizing a melody

7.      Keyboard harmony

8.      Melody harmonization using lead sheet symbols

9.      Final exam

Teaching Methods

Lecture, note taking, class work, homework.

Assessment

Class participation, class work, homework, 3 quizzes, midterm, Final exam.

Texts

Elementary Theory text and workbook  by Robert Ottman