Course

Ear Training & Sight Singing II

Faculty
Language, Literature & Performing Arts
Department
Music
Course code
MUSC 1215
Credits
3.00
Semester length
15 weeks
Max class size
20
Method(s) of instruction
Lecture
Typically offered
To be determined

Overview

Course description
This course provides further development of aural and sight singing skills with a focus on more complex melodic, harmonic, and rhythmic elements of diatonic tonal music.
Course content
  1. Aural Recognition
    • Melodic intervals within a tonal context.  Speed recognition will be stressed.
    • Harmonic intervals within two octaves. Speed recognition will be stressed.
    • Simple two-part textures with non-chord tones.
    • Triads and four-note chords in all positions.
    • Six-four chord types: cadential, passing, pedal.
    • Dominant seventh chords in all positions.
    • Diatonic melodies which include more complex rhythms, larger and more varied leaps, and sequences.
    • Phrase types and period structures.
    • Soprano and bass factors, quality, and position of chords in diatonic progressions which include:  diatonic triads and dominant seventh chords.
    • More complex rhythmic patterns in simple and compound meters, including syncopation and triplets.
    • Error detection and correction exercises.
  2. Sight Singing
    • Diatonic melodies which contain more complex rhythms, larger and more varied leaps.
    • One- and two-part rhythm exercises.
  3. Musicianship Skills Performance
    • Diatonic intervals with emphasis on speed and accuracy.
    • Triads and dominant seventh chords in broken chord progressions.
    • Increased fluency with a relative pitch labelling system (movable-doh solfège or scale degree numbers).
    • Increased fluency with Curwen hand signs.
    • Ensemble exercises emphasizing timing and tuning.
Learning activities

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.

Means of assessment

The course evaluation is consistent with the Douglas College Evaluation Policy.

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 15%)  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 Douglas College Evaluation Policy was granted by Education Council on Mar. 21, 2011.

Learning outcomes

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:

  1. Sing prepared and unprepared (or "sight") drills, exercises and compositions; 
  2. Interpret and respond to visual cues (e.g., Curwen hand signs, conducting patterns, notated rhythms and melodies); 
  3. Use Curwen hand signs while singing;
  4. Demonstrate conducting patterns while articulating rhythmic exercises; 
  5. Hear musical material and retain it in working memory;
  6. Provide written answers to demonstrate aural recognition; 
  7. 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.
Textbook materials

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.

Requisites

Course Guidelines

Course Guidelines for previous years are viewable by selecting the version desired. If you took this course and do not see a listing for the starting semester / year of the course, consider the previous version as the applicable version.

(Current)

Course Transfers

These are for current course guidelines only. For a full list of archived courses please see https://www.bctransferguide.ca

Institution Transfer details for MUSC 1215
Capilano University (CAPU) CAPU MUS 113 (1.5)
Coast Mountain College (CMTN) No credit
College of the Rockies (COTR) No credit
Coquitlam College (COQU) No credit
Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) KPU MUSI 1251 (2)
Simon Fraser University (SFU) SFU GE 1XX (3)
University of British Columbia - Okanagan (UBCO) UBCO MUSC_O 1st (1)
University of British Columbia - Vancouver (UBCV) UBCV MUSC_V 106 (1)
University of Northern BC (UNBC) No credit
University of Victoria (UVIC) DOUG MUSC 1215 (3) & DOUG MUSC 1262 (1.5) = UVIC MUS 170B (0.5)
Vancouver Community College (VCC) VCC MUSC 1401 (3)
Vancouver Island University (VIU) Individual audition required

Course Offerings

Winter 2025

CRN Days Instructor Status
Maximum seats
16
Currently enrolled
4
Remaining seats:
12
On waitlist
0
Building
New Westminster - North Bldg.
Room
N3411
Times:
Start Time
9:30
-
End Time
10:20
Section notes

This course is restricted to Music Diploma and Foundation for Music Therapy students.

CRN Days Instructor Status
Maximum seats
16
Currently enrolled
16
Remaining seats:
0
On waitlist
0
Building
New Westminster - North Bldg.
Room
N3411
Times:
Start Time
10:30
-
End Time
11:20
Section notes

This course is restricted to Music Diploma and Foundation for Music Therapy students.