MUSA 120 Fundamentals of Music for Pre-Music Majors

Previously MUSC 100M. This course is a foundation building course for pre-music majors with strong emphasis on the concepts of reading and notating music. It is intended for students with limited musical knowledge or background in music who wish to study music theory. Together with the subsequent Fundamentals of Musicianship and Keyboard Skills, students are prepared for the integrated approach with which Music Theory I, Ear Training and Musicianship I, and Keyboard Skills I are taught. Primary concepts of note reading, rhythm, scales, key signatures, and intervals will be studied along with fundamental keyboard skills, simple melodic and rhythmic dictation, and elementary sight-reading. Students need permission from the Music department to register for this course. This course is a prerequisite for MUSA-121.

Credits

3

Hours Weekly

3

Course Objectives

1. Define basic music terminology.
2. Identify notes on the treble and base clef, including ledger line notes, with ease and fluency to the speed of one second per two notes
3. Count rhythmic notation of selected music using seven different note values in a steady tempo and with accuracy and compose and perform rhythmic phrases using different note values.
4. Read simple music on the staff and play it on a musical instrument in proper time in a steady tempo and with accuracy.
5. Construct all fifteen major and minor scales using accidentals within a given time frame.
6. Identify and organize information and ideas related to fundamentals of music.
7. Generate and address ideas about the diverse human experience through time as expressed in music.
8. Analyze and evaluate a musical composition that includes melody and harmony and follows a specific musical form.
9. Reflect upon and apply theories and concepts related to fundamentals of music through experiencing a live classical music performance.

Course Objectives

1. Define basic music terminology.

   This objective is a course Goal Only

   Learning Activity Artifact

   • Writing Assignments
   • Written exercises

   Procedure for Assessing Student Learning

   • Other (please fill out box below)
   • Quiz, or part of a quiz which tests more or other objectives.
2. Identify notes on the treble and base clef, including ledger line notes, with ease and fluency to the speed of one second per two notes

   This objective is a course Goal Only

   Learning Activity Artifact

   • Writing Assignments
   • Writing exercises

   Procedure for Assessing Student Learning

   • Other (please fill out box below)
   • Quiz, or part of a quiz which tests more or other objectives.
3. Count rhythmic notation of selected music using seven different note values in a steady tempo and with accuracy and compose and perform rhythmic phrases using different note values.

   This objective is a course Goal Only

   Learning Activity Artifact

   • Other (please fill out box below)
   • In-class demonstration by students

   Procedure for Assessing Student Learning

   • Other (please fill out box below)
   • Testing
4. Read simple music on the staff and play it on a musical instrument in proper time in a steady tempo and with accuracy.

   This objective is a course Goal Only

   Learning Activity Artifact

   • Other (please fill out box below)
   • In-class demonstrating by students

   Procedure for Assessing Student Learning

   • Other (please fill out box below)
   • Testing
5. Construct all fifteen major and minor scales using accidentals within a given time frame.

   This objective is a course Goal Only

   Learning Activity Artifact

   • Writing Assignments
   • Writing exercises

   Procedure for Assessing Student Learning

   • Other (please fill out box below)
   • Testing
6. Identify and organize information and ideas related to fundamentals of music.

   Learning Activity Artifact

   • Writing Assignments

   Procedure for Assessing Student Learning

   • Critical and Creative Thinking Rubric

   Critical Thinking

   • CT1
7. Generate and address ideas about the diverse human experience through time as expressed in music.

   Learning Activity Artifact

   • Other (please fill out box below)
   • Handmade instrument project

   Procedure for Assessing Student Learning

   • Creative Process and Humanistic Inquiry Rubric

   Critical Thinking

   • CT2
8. Analyze and evaluate a musical composition that includes melody and harmony and follows a specific musical form.

   Learning Activity Artifact

   • Other (please fill out box below)
   • Melody and harmony composing project

   Procedure for Assessing Student Learning

   • Creative Process and Humanistic Inquiry Rubric

   Critical Thinking

   • CT3
9. Reflect upon and apply theories and concepts related to fundamentals of music through experiencing a live classical music performance.

   Learning Activity Artifact

   • Writing Assignments

   Procedure for Assessing Student Learning

   • Critical and Creative Thinking Rubric

   Critical Thinking

   • CT4