MUSC 1100: Music Fundamentals

Instructor:
E-mail:
Office:
Phone:
Cell:

Dr. Jeffrey OFlynn

jeffrey.oflynn@uvu.edu
Faculty Annex North 727
801-863-8810
316-214-5168 (8a-9p; texting ok)

Fall 2016
Office Hours:
Tuesday: 12:00 p 1:00 p
Wednesday: 12:00 p 1:00 p
Also available by appointment

Class Meetings: MWF, 11:00 a 11:50 a, GT508

Course Objectives: This course is designed to prepare music majors for Theory I. For non-music
majors, it serves as an introduction to the concepts of music theory. The course covers basic
concepts of musical construction including pitch, rhythm, basic harmony, scales, keys, and intervals.
Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to:
Read and write basic musical notation,
Hear and identify major and minor modes,
Identify the basic qualities of triads, their inversions, and basic harmonic functions,
Pursue further studies in tonal music theory,
Write a simple song.
Materials:
Staff paper: Available at blanksheetmusic.net, printable; also available at local music stores
Pencils: All work must be completed in pencil, have an eraser handy!
Access to Canvas, a printer, and a scanner (available in the library and music labs if needed)
Piano app (My Piano Phone, Windows and Android; Piano Infinity, iOS, Mac)
Optional: Earl Henrys Fundamentals of Music Sixth Edition (no accompanying CD)
Grading:
Assignments
Exams/Projects (4)
Team points

40% of final grade

50% of final grade
10% of final grade

All letter grades will follow the UVU grading scale.

A = 100%-94%
B+ = 89.9%-86%
B = 85.9%-83%
C+ = 79.9%-76%
C = 75.9%-73%
D+ = 69.9%-66%
D = 65.9%-63%
E = 59.9% or lower

A- = 93.9%-90%
B- = 82.9%-80%
C- = 72.9%-70%
D- = 62.9%-60%

Policies:
Assignments will be processed through the file folder, please check daily for returned work
All exams will be proctored in class
Each student is responsible for his or her own work and learning; however, group work on
assignments is permitted and even encouraged

Late work is subject to a 10% grade reduction per day it is late.

Attendance: This is similar to an applied music class, or a class where you learn to perform specific
skills, and therefore attendance is mandatory. Please make every effort to be on time to class since
late arrivals disrupt learning, especially since we work in groups regularly.
Excused absences are defined as family emergencies, death in the family, illness, official school
obligations (such as an out-of-town athletic event), some professional situations (such as
conferences or competitions), or a religious observance. Please contact Dr. OFlynn IN ADVANCE
as soon as you know about an excused absence. Once an excused absence is established, the student
is responsible for approaching the professor for make-up requirements and approaching fellow
students for missed lecture notes. Unexcused absences include, but are not limited to, work schedule
conflicts, weddings, oversleeping, etc. Final discretion for absence classification rests with Dr.
OFlynn.
Unexcused absences should be kept to a minimum. As such, beginning with the third unexcused
absence, your grade will be lowered by 4 assignment points for each absence.
If your attendance begins to affect your progress in the course, your completion of work, your
teams progress, your grade, or has a negative effect in any way, you will be required to meet with
Dr. OFlynn about the viability of remaining in the course.
Office hours: Students are encouraged to attend office hours for any extra assistance.
Appointments may be made by emailing Dr. OFlynn, but are not necessary. For assistance outside
the listed office hours, please make an appointment by email.
Technology Policy: Technology is a necessary tool as a musician. As directed by the instructor,
laptops and/or cell phones may be used to access approved apps/tools. Lecture notes should be
taken on staff paper, since we will often be working with notation. You will need to know how to
use screen capture on both Mac and Windows computers.
Canvas: This course uses Canvas. You are expected to check daily for emails and announcements
from Dr. OFlynn. On campus computer labs are available many places for your convenience.
Grades will be submitted to Canvas though may not reflect extra credit points or attendance
subtractions.
Academic Honesty: Each student is expected to maintain academic ethics and honesty in all its
forms, and to avoid cheating and plagiarism defined by the Student Code of Conduct.
http://www.uvu.edu/studentconduct/students/integrity.html
Attention Students with Disabilities: Students who need accommodations because of a disability
may contact the UVU Accessibility Services Department (ASD), located on the Orem Campus in
LC 312. To schedule an appointment or to speak with a counselor, call the ASD Office at 801-8638747. Dead/Hard of hearing individuals, email nicole.hemmingsen@uvu.edu or text 385-208-2677.

Course Schedule
Week 1
August 22
August 24

August 26

Week 2
August 29

August 31

Welcome, Syllabus, Policies, Intro to Music Notation, Treble and Bass Staff
Homework: Building Skills 2-1 (Note Names)
Review Note Names; Rhythm Notation, Counting (Beat)
Reading:

How to Read Sheet Music (Canvas)

Playing:
Hearing:
Seeing:

https://trainer.thetamusic.com/en/content/rhythm-reader
http://www.therhythmtrainer.com/
Rhythms and Rests 1

Homework:

Pass Levels 1-3 on Rhythm Reader Theta Music (screen cap

and submit on Canvas)
Building Skills 1-1 (Note Values)

Rhythm Practice; Dots, Ties; Correct notation

Reading:
Seeing:
Seeing:

Dots, Ties, Flags and Beams (from Chapter 1) (Canvas)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yajrv_-ifUs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oEI3-RsvgiQ

Homework:

Pass 10 Exercises with 80% on The Rhythm Trainer (screen

cap and submit on Canvas)
Analysis in Context Chapter 1

Note names, Accidentals, Enharmonics, Keyboard; Dictation; Pitch hearings

Readings:

How to Read Music (Canvas)

Keyboard and Enharmonics Reading (Canvas)

Hearing:
Seeing:
Hearing:

Higher-Same-Lower Sets (Canvas)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DvRBfXoSIds
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mbNdiiXdS7w

Homework:

Building Skills 3-1

Analysis in Context Chapter 3

Advanced Concepts: Notation Correction, Dictation, Rhythm Exercises

Practice Hearing: http://www.teoria.com/en/exercises/rd4.php

Homework:

Teoria Rhythm Dictation Practice Complete 5 Exercises

80/100 (screen cap submitted on Canvas)
Notation Correction Exercise 1

September 2 Advanced Concepts: Notation Correction, Dictation, Rhythm Exercises

Hearing:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XmhZNu_u0Ww
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TTc7nfIKhGs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZxLd0Gtxix0

Homework:

Melodic Dictation Exercise (step-wise and diatonic only)

Notation Correction Exercise 2

Week 3
September 5 (NO CLASS - HOLIDAY)
September 7 Unit 1 Exam Review
Homework: Unit 1 Exam Review (Canvas)
September 9 Unit 1 Exam
Week 4
September 12 Simple vs. Compound Meter - Writing
Reading/Hearing: http://openmusictheory.com/meter.html
Hearing:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXUChwbzl48
Practice:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F3xsoi-NKw8 (This
video uses British terms for notes such as quaver, see if you
can follow along!)
Homework:

Creative Projects Chapter 7

September 14 Simple vs. Compound Meter Advanced concepts

Review:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oEI3-RsvgiQ

Homework:

Compose a piece in both compound and simple meter

Teoria Rhythm Dictation Practice Complete 5 Exercises
80/100 (screen cap submitted on Canvas)

September 16 Scales Using Intervals, Key Signatures

Reading:

https://www.musictheory.net/lessons/21
https://www.musictheory.net/lessons/23

Seeing:
Homework:

https://www.musictheory.net/lessons/24
Identify Key Signature Quiz
www.musictheory.net/exercises/keysig/d999yyyerb
Score 90% or better, submit screen cap to Canvas

Week 5
September 19 Using the Circle of Fifths, Writing Scales
Reading:
Seeing:

Circle of Fifths (also available on Canvas)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VfrD6IOTgKY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzk0YmfZ1Do

Homework:

Creative Projects Chapter 5 A+B + 5-2 A

September 21 Intervals Basic Concepts, Identifying (naming)

Reading:
Seeing:
Hearing:
Homework:

https://www.musictheory.net/lessons/30
https://www.musictheory.net/lessons/31
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNFh9Z6toyA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rVyzzCijXSA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wjw2MoNOOo
Intervals Worksheet (Canvas)

September 23 Intervals Working within a key, writing intervals

Reading:
Seeing:

https://www.musictheory.net/lessons/32
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ImwyjsONelg

Homework:

Interval Writing Worksheet (Canvas)

Week 6
September 26 Intervals Inversions, advanced concepts
Reading:
https://www.musictheory.net/lessons/33
http://kubotamusictheory.weebly.com/interval-inversions.html
Seeing:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wlhvu1QLM-0
Homework:

Inversions Worksheet (Canvas)

Begin Exam 2 Review

September 28 Songwriting Day RHYTHMS! (Complete outside of class if needed)

Homework:

Bring questions about Exam 2 Review

September 30 Unit 2 Exam Review

Homework:
Week 7
October 3
October 5

Unit 2 Exam Review

Unit 2 Exam
Minor Scales, or How to Be Sad with Music
Reading:

https://www.musictheory.net/lessons/22
http://musictheorysite.com/minor-scales
http://www.musiccrashcourses.com/lessons/key_relationships.html
Seeing:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-_l6vGnrHA
Hearing:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_PtnvVQhqA
Major Made Minor
Note: Pharrells Happy is already in f minor
Homework:
October 7

Week 8
October 10

October 12

October 14

Building Skills Chapter 8 (Canvas)

Determining Key (Major or Minor) Based on Sheet Music

Reading:

How to Recognize Major and Minor Keys

Homework:

Analysis in Context Chapter 8 (Canvas)

Phrase Structure and Cadence; Review Minor Keys

Reading:
Hearing:

Chapter 9 Excerpts Introduction to Form (Canvas)

Accompanying Tracks (Canvas)

Homework:

Building Skills 9-2 (Canvas)

Phrase Structure, Song Structure, Cadences

Reading:
Seeing:

Review Chapter 9 excerpts

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bYBJAQ-_24

Homework:

Analysis in Context Chapter 9 (Canvas)

Introduction to Harmony/Chords Triads: Creation and Quality

Reading:
Seeing:
Playing:

https://www.musictheory.net/lessons/43
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DCHidRMDf7c
http://www.musictheory.net/calculators/chord

Homework:
Week 9
October 17

Triads Worksheet (Canvas)

Chords/Triads Quality and Inversions

Reading:
Seeing:
Listening:
Homework:

https://www.musictheory.net/2015/lessons/42
Chapter 12 Triad Inversions (Canvas)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zWF5lcKgmYM
How to Hear Chord Inversions
www.musictheory.net/exercises/chord/drw999xyynnywnb
(Score 9/10 in 20 minutes, submit screen cap on Canvas)
Triad Inversions Worksheet (Canvas)

October 19

October 21
Week 10
October 24

October 26

Harmony/Chords Triads: Advanced Concepts including open spacing

Review:
Seeing:

Readings, Seeings, Hearings on Triads

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ouhTymDKkA

Homework:

Triad Identification and Construction Worksheets (Canvas)

Unit 3 Exam Review distributed (Canvas)

(NO CLASS FALL BREAK)

Songwriting Day MELODIES! (Review rhythms, too!)
Reading:
Seeing:

Melodic Tendencies (Canvas)

Melody vs. Harmony: Definitions and Examples (5is mins)
This video is a trial and cuts out before the end.

Homework:

Bring questions about exam review

Songwriting Day MELODIES! (Complete outside of class if needed)

Homework:

October 28

Bring questions about exam review

Unit 3 Exam Review

Homework: Unit 3 Exam Review

Week 11
October 31
November 2

Unit 3 Exam
Listening Day: Melodies, Harmonies, Harmonic Functions

November 4

Harmony: Chord Functions

Reading:

Seeing:

Harmonic Function (Canvas)

https://www.musictheory.net/lessons/55
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ln5O1LuItrs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D8SD3ToKDsw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GFuFOCBNBFA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7DR5O8nionk

Homework:

Building Skills 12-2 (Canvas)

Hearing:

Week 12
November 7

Harmony: Chord Functions and Progressions

Reading:

Playing:
Homework:

November 9

https://www.musictheory.net/lessons/57
http://davidkulma.com/musictheory/harmonicfunction
http://openmusictheory.com/harmonicFunctions.html
http://www.simplifyingtheory.com/harmonic-function/
https://www.musictheory.net/lessons/56
https://autochords.com/
Chord Functions 1
You must label the function of each chord Tonic (T), Predominant (P), or Dominant (D)

Harmony: Roman Numeral Symbols

Reading:

https://www.musictheory.net/2015/lessons/44
Roman Numeral Chord Notation

Playing:
Seeing:

http://www.musictheory.net/calculators/analysis
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWgDGb7CgGc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVuSf6PbIWo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_9gd_V0KknI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVuSf6PbIWo

Homework:

Chord Function 3

November 11 Bach Chorales and Roman Numeral Analysis

Reading:
Seeing:
Homework:

Beginning Harmonic Analysis

Performing a Harmonic Analysis
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D79mdJBFspU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZYkzF_pzUQ
Building Skills 11-3 (Canvas)

Week 13
November 14 Harmony: Dominant and 7th Chords
Reading:

READING FROM BOOK?

Roman Numerals Including 7th Chords

Homework:

Bach Chord Analysis 1 (Canvas)

November 16 Roman Numeral Analysis Practice

Review:

All Harmonic and Chord Analysis

Homework:

Bach Chord Analysis 2 (Canvas)

November 18 Roman Numeral Analysis Practice

Review:

All Harmonic and Chord Analysis

Homework:

Bach Chord Analysis 3 (Canvas)

Week of November 21

NO CLASS THANKSGIVING

Week 14
November 28 Songwriting Day: Harmonies!
Homework:

Unit 4 Exam Review 1

November 30 Songwriting Day: Harmonies!

Homework:
December 2

Songwriting Day: Harmonies!

Homework:

Week 15
December 5
December 7

Unit 4 Exam Review 2

Listening Day: Your Songs, harmonized! Also, Exam Review

Unit 4 (Final) Exam Review
Homework:

December 9

Schedule group time outside class if necessary to finish song

Unit 4 Exam Review 2

NO CLASS READING DAYS

Week 16
Wednesday, December 14, 11:00 a 12:50 p in GT508
Unit 4 (Final) Exam