Lecture: 3 hours per week
Presentation of concepts, demonstration of learning strategies and modelling of skills by the instructor, integrated with drills and practice exercises by the students. Skill reinforcement through assigned use of auxiliary resources.
- Aural Recognition
- Melodic intervals within an octave, ascending and descending
- Scale degrees in major and minor modes, plus raised 4th scale degree
- Harmonic intervals and simple two-part textures
- Triads in root position, first and second inversions
- Simple diatonic melodies in major and minor modes
- Basic rhythmic patterns in both simple and compound meters
- Meter, mode, cadence types
- Crusic vs. anacrusic phrases
- Harmonic rhythm mapping
- Error detection and correction exercises
- Sight Performance
- Diatonic melodies with simple rhythms
- Simple rhythmic exercises
- Musicianship Skills Performance
- Intervals, triads and broken chord progressions
- Use of a relative pitch labelling system (movable-doh solfège or scale degree numbers)
- Use of Curwen hand signs and basic conducting patterns
At the end of the course, the successful student will demonstrate satisfactory skill and musicianship in aural recognition and performance of tonal melodies, harmonies and rhythms, as outlined in Course Content.
Students will be expected to:
- Sing prepared and unprepared (or "sight") drills, exercises and compositions;
- Interpret and respond to visual cues (e.g., Curwen hand signs, conducting patterns, notated rhythms and melodies);
- Use Curwen hand signs while singing;
- Demonstrate conducting patterns while articulating rhythmic exercises;
- Hear musical material and retain it in working memory;
- Provide written answers to demonstrate aural recognition;
- Manage performance anxiety in order to execute required listening, singing and rhythmic tasks in both group and one-on-one settings within established time limits.
Sight and Musicianship Skills Tests (minimum 4, with no test weighing more than 15%) |
40% |
Melodic, Rhythmic and Harmonic Dictation Tests (minimum 4, with no test weighing more than 20%) |
50% |
Weekly homework assignments |
10% |
TOTAL | 100% |
N.B.: This course includes final testing worth more than 10% during the last 14 days of classes. A standing variance to the Evaluation Policy was granted by Education Council on Mar. 21, 2011.
The latest editions of required texts such as the following:
- Ear Training Textbook
- Karpinski, Gary S. Manual for Ear Training and Sight Singing (with recordings). New York: W. W. Norton.
- Sight Singing Textbook
- Berkowitz, Sol, Gabriel Fontrier, Leo Kraft, Perry Goldstein and Edward Smaldone. A New Approach to Sight Singing. New York: W. W. Norton.
Meets or exceeds entrance criteria during the aural skills assessment