MUSA 120 Fundamentals of Music for Pre-Music Majors

Previously MUSC 100M. This course is a foundation building course for pre-music majors with strong emphasis on the concepts of reading and notating music. It is intended for students with limited musical knowledge or background in music who wish to study music theory. Together with the subsequent Fundamentals of Musicianship and Keyboard Skills, students are prepared for the integrated approach with which Music Theory I, Ear Training and Musicianship I, and Keyboard Skills I are taught. Primary concepts of note reading, rhythm, scales, key signatures, and intervals will be studied along with fundamental keyboard skills, simple melodic and rhythmic dictation, and elementary sight-reading. Students need permission from the Music department to register for this course.

Credits

3

Hours Weekly

3

Course Objectives

1. Define basic music terminology.
2. Identify notes on the treble and base clef, including ledger line notes, with ease and fluency to the speed of one second per two notes
3. Count rhythmic notation of selected music using seven different note values in a steady tempo and with accuracy.
4. Read simple music on the staff and play it on a musical instrument in proper time in a steady tempo and with accuracy.
5. Identify and apply theories and concepts related to creativity and invention in music through concert attendance and writing a review.
6. Incorporate innovation, risk-taking, and creativity into analysis and problem-solving methods by creating a handmade percussion instrument out of ordinary household items.
7. Pose and address questions related to creative expression throughout the process of composing and performing rhythmic phrases using different note values.
8. Assess, reflect on, and critically analyze the role of music in illuminating the human condition by creating a musical composition that includes melody and harmony and follows a specific musical form.
9. Construct all fifteen major and minor scales using accidentals within a given time frame.

Course Objectives

1. Define basic music terminology.

   This objective is a course Goal Only

   Learning Activity Artifact

   • Writing Assignments
   • Written exercises

   Procedure for Assessing Student Learning

   • Other (please fill out box below)
   • Testing
2. Identify notes on the treble and base clef, including ledger line notes, with ease and fluency to the speed of one second per two notes

   This objective is a course Goal Only

   Learning Activity Artifact

   • Writing Assignments
   • Writing exercises

   Procedure for Assessing Student Learning

   • Other (please fill out box below)
   • Testing
3. Count rhythmic notation of selected music using seven different note values in a steady tempo and with accuracy.

   This objective is a course Goal Only

   Learning Activity Artifact

   • Other (please fill out box below)
   • In-class demonstration by students

   Procedure for Assessing Student Learning

   • Other (please fill out box below)
   • Testing
4. Read simple music on the staff and play it on a musical instrument in proper time in a steady tempo and with accuracy.

   This objective is a course Goal Only

   Learning Activity Artifact

   • Other (please fill out box below)
   • In-class demonstrating by students

   Procedure for Assessing Student Learning

   • Other (please fill out box below)
   • Testing
5. Identify and apply theories and concepts related to creativity and invention in music through concert attendance and writing a review.

   Learning Activity Artifact

   • Writing Assignments

   Procedure for Assessing Student Learning

   • Creative Process and Humanistic Inquiry Rubric

   Creative Process

   • CP1
6. Incorporate innovation, risk-taking, and creativity into analysis and problem-solving methods by creating a handmade percussion instrument out of ordinary household items.

   Learning Activity Artifact

   • Other (please fill out box below)
   • Handmade instrument project

   Procedure for Assessing Student Learning

   • Creative Process and Humanistic Inquiry Rubric

   Creative Process

   • CP2
7. Pose and address questions related to creative expression throughout the process of composing and performing rhythmic phrases using different note values.

   Learning Activity Artifact

   • Other (please fill out box below)
   • Rhythmic composing project

   Procedure for Assessing Student Learning

   • Creative Process and Humanistic Inquiry Rubric

   Creative Process

   • CP3
8. Assess, reflect on, and critically analyze the role of music in illuminating the human condition by creating a musical composition that includes melody and harmony and follows a specific musical form.

   Learning Activity Artifact

   • Other (please fill out box below)
   • Melody and harmony composing project

   Procedure for Assessing Student Learning

   • Creative Process and Humanistic Inquiry Rubric

   Creative Process

   • CP4
9. Construct all fifteen major and minor scales using accidentals within a given time frame.

   This objective is a course Goal Only

   Learning Activity Artifact

   • Writing Assignments
   • Writing exercises

   Procedure for Assessing Student Learning

   • Other (please fill out box below)
   • Testing