MUSC& 131 - Music Theory 1

3 Credits

The first quarter of a sequential study of the fundamentals of diatonic music. Topics include elementary acoustics, musical notation, clefs, tonality, scales, modes, intervals and their inversions, triads and their inversions, simple cadential formulae and first species of 16th century counterpoint.

Course Note Ability to read music in both treble and bass clefs is essential. Concurrent enrollment in MUSC& 121 is strongly recommended until student can pass sight-singing proficiency exam. Previously MUSIC 101.
Fees

Quarters Typically Offered
Designed to Serve Students transferring to baccalaureate institutions and/or needing Humanities Area II distribution credits. The music major or music minor as well as any student with a stronger than average interest in music.
Active Date 20220405T16:41:13

Grading Basis Decimal Grade
Class Limit 30
Contact Hours: Lecture 33
Total Contact Hours 33
Degree Distributions:
AA

Humanities Area II

Course Outline

Elementary acoustics and the fundamentals of music.
Musical Notation Scales, modes, and the Western system of tonality
Intervals and their inversions
Tertian harmony: triads and their inversion
Simple cadential formulae
First Species of 16th Century Counterpoint

Student Learning Outcomes
Demonstrate proficiency with the notational practices of Western tonal music.

Demonstrate proficiency with the structural elements of the Western system of tonality.

Write and/or identify all pitch class intervals and their inversions.

Write and/or identify the four types of triads and their inversions.

Write and/or identify simple cadential formulae.

Write and analyze First Species 16th Century Counterpoint