Applied Popular Theory I

Curriculum guideline

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Course
MUSC 1176
Discontinued
No
Course code
MUSC 1176
Descriptive
Applied Popular Theory I
Department
Music
Faculty
Language, Literature & Performing Arts
Credits
3.00
Start date
End term
202320
PLAR
No
Semester length
15 Weeks
Max class size
30
Contact hours
4
Method(s) of instruction
Lecture
Learning activities

Lecture and practical demonstration

Course description
This course will introduce the student to a variety of concepts and practices, theoretical and applied, commonly found in many styles of popular music. The course will focus on popular music up to the mid-1960s. Exercises and assignments will include composing in a variety of styles and formats.
Course content
  1. Foundations:
    • Rhythm
    • Meter
    • Intervals, scales, keys
      • Major-minor system
      • Modes
      • Other scales
    • Chords
      • Triads
      • Sevenths
      • Extended chords
      • Other chords
    • Chord Symbols
      • Jazz / pop
      • Roman numeral
      • Other - Nashville, etc.
  2. Harmonic Practices:
    • Folk traditions (diatonic)
    • Pop traditions (diatonic / chromatic)
  3. Form:
    • Phrase constructions
    • Refrain forms
    • Sectional forms
  4. Written and aural analysis of selected repertoire from the following song styles:
    • 12-bar Blues
    • 16-bar folk songs
    • Popular American 32-bar forms
  5. Other topics:
    • Writing charts for a small ensemble
    • Basic instrumentation 
Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the successful student will be able to:

  1. Understand and apply the core theoretical concepts used to create the characteristic sounds in popular music.
  2. Compose short examples within various idioms.
  3. Create simple charts, scores and parts.
  4. Gain valuable insight into the idiomatic practices of popular music.
Means of assessment

Quizzes (minimum of 4)

 20%
Assignments (minimum of 2) 30%
Midterm exam 20%
Final exam 20%
In-class work (presentations, demonstrations, participation) 10%
Total 100%
Textbook materials

The instructor may assign a textbook such as:

Harrison, Mark. Contemporary Music Theory - Level One: A Complete Harmony and Theory Method for the Pop and Jazz Musician, Hal Leonard, current edition.

Prerequisites

Music Technology Diploma program entrance or permission of instructor

Corequisites

None

Equivalencies

None

Which prerequisite

MUSC 1276