Course

Applied Popular Theory II

Faculty
Language, Literature & Performing Arts
Department
Music
Course Code
MUSC 1276
Credits
3.00
Semester Length
15 weeks
Max Class Size
30
Method(s) Of Instruction
Lecture
Course Designation
None
Industry Designation
None
Typically Offered
To be determined

Overview

Course Description
This course furthers the student's understanding of the theory of popular music, and its practical application for the modern day musician. The student will be exposed to the central concepts and practices found in a wide variety of popular styles of music. The course will focus on popular music from the late 1960s to modern day. Exercises and assignments will include analysis and composition within selected styles.
Course Content
  1. Harmonic Practices:
    • More Pop (diatonic / chromatic)
    • Blues / Rock (modal / tonal)
    • Ostinato techniques
  2. Form: 
    • 32-bar form
    • Blues forms
    • Ostinato forms
    • Sections:
      • Intro, bridge, coda, etc.
      • Turnarounds, transitions, etc.
  3. Textural considerations:
    • Vocals
    • Rhythm section
    • Keys / pads
    • Horns
    • Other
  4. Analysis:
    • Written analysis of selected repertoire
    • Aural analysis of selected repertoire
  5. Other topics:
    • Scoring for small ensembles
    • More instrumentation
    • Basic orchestration
    • Chord voicing
  6. Selected repertoire from these areas:
    • Pop / rock
    • Psychadelic
    • Metal
    • Disco
    • Punk / new wave
    • Synth pop
    • Rap / hip hop
    • Grunge
    • Electronic dance music (EDM)
Learning Activities

Lecture and practical demonstration

Means of Assessment

Assessment will be based on course objectives and will be carried out in accordance with the Douglas College Evaluation Policy. 

The following is an example evaluation scheme: 

Quizzes (minimum of 4)

 20%
Assignments (minimum of 2) 30%
Midterm exam 20%
Final exam 20%
Professionalism  10%
Total 100%

Professionalism is assessed on consistent attendance, punctuality, taking responsibility for deadlines, constructive and considerate inter-personal communication and contribution to class discussion and group work. 

 

Learning Outcomes

MUSC 1276 continues to develop the concepts and practices introduced in MUSC 1176.  At the end of the course, the successful student will be able to:

  1. Understand and apply the core theoretical concepts of pop music used to create characteristic pop sounds.
  2. Create more complex charts, scores and parts.
  3. Demonstrate understanding of the idiomatic practices of popular music.
  4. Compose short examples within various contexts.
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.

Requisites

Prerequisites

MUSC 1176 

Corequisites

No corequisite courses.

Equivalencies

No equivalent courses.

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 1276
Alexander College (ALEX) ALEX HUMN 1XX (3)
Athabasca University (AU) AU MUSI 2XX (3)
Coast Mountain College (CMTN) No credit
College of the Rockies (COTR) No credit
Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) KPU MUSI 1XXX (3)
Langara College (LANG) LANG ARTS 1XXX (3)
Nicola Valley Institute of Technology (NVIT) No credit
Northern Lights College (NLC) No credit
Simon Fraser University (SFU) DOUG MUSC 1176 (3) & DOUG MUSC 1276 (3) = SFU CA 142 (3) & SFU CA 249 (3)
Simon Fraser University (SFU) SFU CA 1XX (3)
Trinity Western University (TWU) TWU MUSI 100 (3)
University Canada West (UCW) No credit
University of British Columbia - Okanagan (UBCO) UBCO MUSC_O 1st (3)
University of British Columbia - Okanagan (UBCO) DOUG MUSC 1176 (3) & DOUG MUSC 1276 (3) = UBCO MUSC_O 103 (3) & UBCO MUSC_O 115 (3)
University of British Columbia - Vancouver (UBCV) No credit
University of Northern BC (UNBC) No credit
University of Victoria (UVIC) UVIC MUS 1XX (1.5)

Course Offerings

Winter 2025

CRN Days Instructor Status
Maximum Seats
30
Currently Enrolled
16
Remaining Seats:
14
On Waitlist
0
Building
New Westminster - North Bldg.
Room
N3409
Times:
Start Time
10:30
-
End Time
12:20
Building
New Westminster - North Bldg.
Room
N3409
Times:
Start Time
11:30
-
End Time
13:20
Section Notes

This course is restricted to Music Technology students.