MUSC 168 Rudiments of Music

School of Arts and Technology

MUSC 168 Rudiments of Music. This introductory course covers the rudiments of music theory, terms, rhythm, symbols, and music notation. Topics include beams, flags, barlines, rests, dynamics, articulation, road maps, and lead sheets.

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Course Details
Total number of weeks	15
Total Credits
Total Hours	22.5

Typical hours per week breakdown
Lecture	1.50

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, the learner will be able to:

Define basic musical terms
Analyze and map musical form
Create music notation with attention to established conventions for writing notes, rests, rhythms, flags, beams, stems, and repeats with adherence to the “invisible barline” principle
Create “lead sheets”

Teaching and Learning Approach

Lectures and demonstrations, supported by in-class work and some homework, with the goal of providing students with adequate time to practice the material relevant to the course outcomes.

Learning Resources

Required text:

Music Notation: Theory and Technique (Mark McGrain, Berklee Press) (Other materials to be handed out in class)

Detailed Course Content, Topics, and Sequence Covered

1. Notes and rests: How they look, their function, and best practices for how to draw them by hand; where they should sit in the staff, flag and stem rules; dots, ties, slurs, etc.

3. Notation Terms & Articulations: Slurs, ties, beams; introduction to the "invisible barline" principle; proper use and placement of accidentals.

4. Articulations and fundamental musical terms; use of repeats, and other elements of the musical "road map". Topics may include: -Staccato, tenuto, and accent markings -Slurs -Crescendo/decrescendo -Repeat signs, D.S./D.C., coda, fine, one and two bar repeats -Dynamic markings -Rhythm slashes

5. We will begin putting all the elements together. Students will look at examples of leadsheets/scores with musical terms and road map markers.

6. Review, plus introduction to MuseScore.

7. MIDTERM

8. Exam review, introduction to chord symbol notation

9. Rhythm section, part 1: Writing for bass

10. Rhythm section, part 2: writing for drums

11. Rhythm section, part 3: writing for guitar

12. Rhythm section, part 4: writing for keyboards

13. Lead Sheet Writing

14. Final quiz, review and preparation for final lead sheet project

15. Final project work day

16. Wrap-up, final project due.

Assessment

Title	Learning Outcomes	Value
Weekly homework and in-class work	1, 2, 3	30%
Midterm Exam	1, 2, 3	30%
Class participation/effort	1, 2, 3	10%
Final Project: Lead Sheet	1, 2, 3, 4	30%
Total		100%

Grading Table

Standard Contemporary Music and Technology Program Grading Table

Percentage	Letter Grade	GPA
97 - 100	A+	4.33
94 - 96.9	A	4.00
90 - 93.9	A-	3.67
87 - 89.9	B+	3.33
83 - 86.9	B	3.00
80 - 82.9	B-	2.67
77 - 79.9	C+	2.33
73 - 76.9	C	2.00
70 - 72.9	C-	1.67
60 - 69.9	P	1.00
Less than 60%	F	0.00
Did not withdraw	DNW	0.00

See the Academic Calendar for General Information including how to withdraw from course(s) and other regulations.

Disclaimer

Information contained in this course outline is correct at the time of publication. Content of the course is revised on an ongoing basis to ensure relevance to changing educational, employment and market needs. The instructor will endeavor to provide notice of changes to students as soon as possible. The instructor reserves the right to add or delete material from courses.