740-141 Music Techniques 1-1

For non-BMus students, permission of the Dean or 740-139 Discovering Music 2.

An introduction to the elements and processes of voice leading during the period of triadic tonality through the study of species counterpoint. Students will be expected to have attained a sound understanding of the elements and processes of voice leading within the Western musical tradition, and be able to write and sing fluent three-part contrapuntal textures, demonstrating their understanding of voice leading within species counterpoint. The subject will commence with students learning to write and sing single melodic lines, cantus firmi, and progress through the writing of first, second, third, fourth and fifth species counterpoint in both two and three part-textures. (This topic continues in Music Techniques 2, where species counterpoint is used as the basis for free prolonged counterpoint.) Students will also develop an awareness of counterpoint in composition through a close study of the thematic material of set works from the Western canon.

Weekly music notation assignments (30%); regular aural tests (30%); two hour end-of-semester examination (30%); listening test (10%). Note: A pass must be obtained in each section of the assessment.

• Carl Schachter and Felix Salzer, Counterpoint in Composition. 2nd ed., Columbia University Press, 1989.
• Lars Edlund, Modus Vetus. Wilhelm Hasen, 1974.