TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY DEPARTMENT OF MUSICSYLLABUS: MUSIC 1210-THEORY I

MWF 9:10-10:05, PASB 287Instructor: Dr. Carlos Castilla Office: TBA

Phone: TBA Email: contact@carloscastilla.comCourse Credit Hours: 3

Office Hours: Tuesdays 11:05-1:00 pm (By Appointment)

PREREQUISITE/COREQUISITEStudents must have either successfully completed MUSC 1011-MATERIALS OF MUSIC at TSU, placed out of MATERIALS OF MUSIC on the departmental placement test, or transferred equivalent credit and passed the TSU competency test for MUSC 1011. OBJECTIVESThis class begins the development of music theory skills required of all trained musicians. These skills include part-writing, ear-training, sight-singing, basic composition, simple formal studies, musical essay writing, harmonic analysis, and keyboard. The integration of these skills with music history and literature will be a goal in every aspect of the class. ACADEMIC COMPETENCIESSuccessful completion of Theory I requires that students demonstrate basic music theory skills in writing and keyboard. These skills include:

1. Reading and writing in treble clef, bass clef, and tenor and alto C clefs. 2. Ability to write all major and minor (all 3 forms) scales; ability to play the same on

keyboard in one octave. Know how to build a triad over each scale degree, and label with the correct Roman numeral designation.

3. Interval writing and recognition. 4. Correct use of diatonic triads in 4 part SATB writing (voice leading, doublings, spacing,

first and second inversions, Roman numeral analysis). 5. Formal analysis of phrase and period structures. 6. Figured bass realization and analysis of chords and inversions studied. 7. Writing and analyzing perfect and imperfect authentic, plagal, half, deceptive, and

Phrygian cadences. 8. Ability to play or write a major, minor, diminished, or augmented triad from any pitch. 9. Knowledge of all church modes and their characteristics; ability to write modes in any

key. 10. Keyboard: Play all major scales and 3 forms of the minor scale in one octave, with

proper fingerings.11. Computer: Utilize software notation in SATB writing, operate and successfully

negotiate software titles associated with this course that are housed in the Music Lab.

(Course content is aligned with the Kostka and Payne textbook, Chapters I-IV.)

REQUIRED MATERIALSTonal Harmony, 5th edition, Kostka and Payne, McGraw-Hill, Inc., 2004Tonal Harmony Workbook, Kostka and PayneMusic for Sight-Singing, 6th edition, Ottman, Prentice-Hall, 2004Pencils, erasers, manuscript paper, notebook paper, one-inch ring binder dedicated to this course.

EVALUATIONThe following grading scale will be used during the semester: A=93-100, B=85-92, C=75-84, D=70-74, F=69 and under. All work must include harmonic analysis. NO EXCEPTIONS EVER! All tests and classwork must be written in pencil. Always use a straight edge (ruler) for barlines. Homework assignments may be graded and given a daily grade. Late assignments will not be accepted. Missing tests result in a grade of “F”. Requests for makeup tests will usually be refused. Makeup tests are granted only in extraordinary instances and require documentation to support the reason for missing the test. Requests must be submitted within a week of the student’s return to class. The following percentages will be used in determining final grades:

Quizzes (25%): There will be a quiz on a weekly basis.

Exams(25% X 2): There will be a midterm exam, and a final exam.

Assignments/Projects/Homework (25%): There will be always an assignment from class to class. I may not collect them all the time, but the student should keep a folder with ALL the work perfectly organized. I will randomly call students to defend their work in front of the class.

IMPORTANT: In order to pass this class, students should complete ALL the required work.If you skip an exam, quiz, or assignment without prior notice and excuse, you will not pass the course even if the rest of your grades are mathematically sufficient to get a passing grade.

IN ORDER TO RECEIVE A GRADE OF “C” OR HIGHER, STUDENTS MUST ALSO PASS THE COURSE COMPETENCY EXAM (FINAL EXAM) WITH A MINIMUM SCORE OF 75.

ATTENDANCEStudents are expected to be in class. The University Handbook specifies that absences must not exceed the number of sessions that the class meets weekly; thus, for this class, total absences must not exceed 3.

Every unexcused absence beyond three (3) will result in the lowering of a minus to the final grade. Any work missed during an excused absence must be made up within a week. Any work not made up will become a zero.

Tardiness beyond ten (10) minutes is not acceptable. Once the classroom door is closed, students may not enter.Tardiness within the first ten minutes of class after I take attendance will be equivalent to half attendance, therefore two times being tardy is equal to an absence.

Motivation:Students who observe a perfect attendance will be honored by my dismissing of their lowest grade. I will instead replace that grade with the highest one achieved.This bonus works for quizzes and assignments, not for exams.

CLASSROOM PROCEDURES• Each student must own the required textbooks, bring them to class every time.• Each student is responsible for providing his/her necessary supplies in class.• Mobile phones and pagers may not be used during class, nor may they interrupt. Hands-

free telephone devices must be stored out of sight.• In preparation for professional careers, students are expected to demonstrate appropriate

conduct and behavior, punctuality, preparation, and attire.

TOPICSThe following topics will be studied:

1. A review of MUSC 1011—Materials of Music content.

2. Tonal Harmony textbook Chapter 1: Elements of Pitcha. The Keyboard and Octave

Registersb. Notation of the Staffc. The Major Scaled. The Major Key Signaturese. Minor Scalesf. Minor Key Signaturesg. Scale Degree Names

h. Intervalsi. Perfect, Major, and Minor

Intervalsj. Augmented and Diminished

Intervalsk. Inversion of Intervalsl. Consonant and Dissonant

Intervals3. Chapter 2: Elements of Rhythm

a. Rhythmb. Durational Symbolsc. Beat and Tempod. Meter

e. Division of the Beatf. Simple Time Signaturesg. Compound Time Signatures

4. Chapter 3: Introduction to Triads and Seventh Chordsa. Triadsb. Seventh Chordsc. Inversion Symbols and

Figured Bass

d. Lead Sheet Symbolse. Recognizing Chords in

Various Textures

5. Chapter 4: Diatonic Chords in Major and Minor Keysa. Diatonic Triads in Majorb. Diatonic Triads in Minorc. Diatonic Seventh Chords in

Major

d. Diatonic Seventh Chords in Minor

6. Keyboard: Play all major scales and 3 forms of the minor scale in one octave, including basic cadences and with proper fingerings. The student is expected to sing everything he plays on the piano.

7. Sing using solfege any piece or (portion thereof) that you are currently working on with your applied instrument instructor.

8. Formal analysis of a piano or guitar piece of the late 18th century.

BIBLIOGRAPHYBach, J.S. 371 Harmonized Chorales. G. Schirmer.Benward, Bruce. Music in Theory and Practice. William C. BrownCooper, Paul. Perspectives in Music Theory. Dodd, Mead, and Company.Duckworth and Brown. Theoretical Foundations of Music. Wadsworth.Ottman, Robert W. Elementary Harmony. Prentice-Hall.Ottman, Robert W. Music for Sight-Singing. Prentice-Hall.Piston, Walter. Harmony. W.W. Norton.Sorce, Richard. Music Theory for the Music Professional. Ardsley House.Spencer, Peter. The Practice of Harmony. Prentice-Hall. Tennessee State University makes reasonable accommodations for qualified students with medically documented disabilities. If you need an accommodation, please contact TSU’s Disabled Student Services Office at 963-7400 (phone) or 963-5051(fax).