| CODE | MSP1265 | ||||||||||||||||
| TITLE | Fundamentals of Music | ||||||||||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 01 - Year 1 in Modular Undergraduate Course | ||||||||||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 5 | ||||||||||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 6 | ||||||||||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Music Studies | ||||||||||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | This study-unit explores the rudiments of Western music through aural, oral and written practice. It is designed to provide a basic understanding of the technical aspect of music. Topics covered include recognition of intervals, melodic and rhythmic dictation, two-part writing, recognition of chords and their inversions, chord progressions and cadences, recognition of medieval modes, sight singing and score reading. This unit will help students understand, analyse and listen to music in an informed way, and requires basic knowledge of music theory and music literacy as a prerequisite. The unit is also suited to more experienced musicians. Study-unit Aims: The student will demonstrate knowledge of the fundamentals of music notation, musical elements and basic aural skills through writing and singing. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: a) analyse and differentiate the elements of music; b) develop a thorough understanding of the fundamentals of music theory, and the science and structure of music in general; c) refine the technical aspects of listening, creating and writing down music. 2. Skills By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: a) identify pitch and rhythmic notation, medieval modes, cadences, chord progressions and chord inversions; b) work out melodies and two-part writing, and sing at sight; c) discriminate between different types of musical sounds and to effectively translate them into performance; d) manipulate the elements of music theory for compositional purposes; e) create technical exercises of graded difficulty that can be analysed aurally and worked out in writing; f) think critically and logically. Main Texts: - Berkowitz, S., Fontrier, G., Kraft, L. 1997. A New Approach to Sight Singing (New York/London: W. W. Norton). - Damschroder, David. 2005. Foundations of Music and Musicianship (London: Schirmer). Supplementary Readings - Cleland, Kent D. and Dobrea-Grindahl, M. 2010. Developing Musicianship through Aural Skills (Oxford: Routledge). - Laitz, Steven G. 2012. The Complete Musician (Oxford: OUP). |
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| ADDITIONAL NOTES | This study-unit requires prior knowledge of music theory | ||||||||||||||||
| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture | ||||||||||||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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| LECTURER/S | Jeremy Coleman |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2024/5. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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