MUS1100

Exploring music I

C J De Wilde

6 points
* 4 hours per week
* First semester
* Clayton
* Prerequisites: Two units of AMEB Grade 4 or 5 Musicianship or Grade 6 or equivalent, or completion of the department's bridging course.

Objectives Upon completion of MUS1100, students should have an introduction to a basic musical vocabulary and how it relates to music in an historical context; a method of identifying, categorising and assessing both Western music traditions from the Middle Ages to the Classical period, as well as world music traditions from various geographical regions; a basic musical literacy, with the ability to compose simple melodies as well as harmonise melodies and/or bass lines in a four-part texture; and the experience of creating original works through improvisation exercises, enabling students to develop ideas and techniques which they will use when composing works in various genres and ensemble combinations

Synopsis This first-year music core subject is designed to introduce the student to four areas of music: Western music history, Western music theory, music composition, and ethnomusicology. In the Western music history unit, students are guided through a history of music from the Middle Ages to c. 1800 through critical listening and analysis of representative works. In particular, questions relating to form, style and genre will be studied in an historical perspective. The Western music theory unit is involved with the study of tonal harmony, including triads, chords, seventh chords, chord inversions, harmonic analysis, modulation, and four-part voice leading. The music composition unit deals with a broad spectrum of individual and group tasks divided into three areas: composition, improvisation, and music technology. The student will have the opportunity for creative expression through composing individual studies, composing in a group environment, and working on composition projects in the Macintosh-based computer composition laboratory. The ethnomusicology unit provides an introduction to selected forms of world music and to associated concepts of ethnomusicology, including the social, ritual, and musical functions of the music. Students are given the opportunity to perform some of the music they study, using the instruments of the various world music orchestras and ensembles in the Music Department.

Assessment Written (1500 words): 25%
* Examinations ( 2 hours): 50%
* Assignments: 25%

Prescribed texts

Aldwell E and Schachter C Harmony and voice leading 2nd edn, HBJ, 1989
Kamien R (ed.) The Norton scores: An anthology for listening vol. 1, 5th edn, Norton, 1990
Machlis J and Forney K The enjoyment of music 6th edn, Norton, 1990