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Descriptor Details

  • Descriptor Title
    Music Fundamentals
  • C-ID Number
    110
  • Units
    3.0
  • Hours
    0000
  • Date of Last Revision
    2/26/2025 08:00:52 PM GMT+0000

General Description

An introduction to the notation and fundamental theoretical elements of Western music, demonstrated through a variety of styles, covering: pitch and rhythm concepts and structures, basic formal elements, and fundamental musicianship.  Development of skills in handwritten notation is expected.  In addition, interpreting music, written and aurally, with regard to its broad historical and cultural context will be covered, and critiquing different musical genres and styles in order to make aesthetic judgments about them by applying criteria from the knowledge and principles of music theory learned in class.

Prerequisites

N/A

Corequisites

N/A

Advisories

N/A

Content

Includes but is not limited to:

    1. handwritten notation of pitch and rhythm
    2. simple and compound meters
    3. basic properties of sound
    4. intervals
    5. key signatures
    6. diatonic major and minor scales
    7. diatonic triads with elemental harmonization of a melody
    8. introduction to the dominant 7th chord
    9. basic phrase and cadence structure (authentic, half, deceptive)
    10. fundamental aural skills
    11. application of elements to style, including broad cultural and historical factors

Lab Activities

No information provided

Objectives

Objectives and Outcomes language based upon the above course content to be developed by individual programs within their local curriculum process.

Evaluation Methods

Including but not limited to written exercises and examinations.

Textbooks

Clendinning, J., West Marvin, E., Phillips, J. The Musician’s Guide to Fundamentals, 2nd Ed.

White, Gary C. Music First!. Brown and Benchmark, latest edition

Steinke, Greg.  Basic Materials in Music Theory.

Duckworth, William. A Creative Approach to Music Fundamentals.

Gerhold, John. A Plain English Guide to Music Fundamentals. Kendall-Hunt, latest edition

Descriptor Administration

  • Public Review Needed
    No
  • Next Descriptor Review
    No information provided
  • Resubmission Requirements for Courses
    Descriptor changes were administrative only
  • Resubmission Deadline
    No information provided
  • Comments

    Suitable for both music majors (as a pre-requisite for further music theory study) and non-majors, this course may satisfy a general education requirement in lower-division curricula, and is commonly transferable in a baccalaureate program.

  • Notes

    Revised 7/5/2017

  • Keywords

    No information provided

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