740-129 Music Techniques 1-2

For non-BMus students, permission of the Dean.

Students will be expected to have attained a sound understanding of chord function and harmonic principles within the Western musical tradition, and be able to recognise, write and part-sing fluent four-voice harmonic textures, demonstrating their understanding of chord function. Candidates will commence the subject by consolidating principles of writing in four part vocal style within a basic underlying I-V-I tonal plan, and progress onto the use of seventh chords, approach chords, applied dominants, the cadential 6/4, chords of prolongation, sequential progressions and tonicisations. Chords will be grouped for discussion according to their function and the course will unfold in an accumulative manner.

On completion of this subject, students will be able to • harmonise a melody in four parts using all diatonic triads within the basic I-V-I tonal plan and create complex harmonic progressions through the use of seventh chords and applied dominants • realise a figured bass • identify chord function and analyse harmonic progressions in different musical textures.

Weekly music notation assignments (50%); two-hour end-of-semester examination (40%); aural tests held mid and end of semester (10%).

Note: A pass must be obtained in each section of the assessment.

• Edward Aldwell and Carl Schachter, Harmony and Voice Leading. Belmont: Thomson Schirmer, 2003.