MUSE 102: Harmony I

Citrus College Course Outline of Record

Citrus College Course Outline of Record
Heading Value
Effective Term: Fall 2021
Credits: 3
Total Contact Hours: 54
Lecture Hours : 54
Lab Hours: 0
Hours Arranged: 0
Outside of Class Hours: 108
Corequisite: MUSE 101.
Strongly Recommended: MUSE 100.
Transferable to CSU: Yes
Transferable to UC: Yes - Approved
Grading Method: Standard Letter

Catalog Course Description

An introductory class in music theory for the music major. Study of scales, intervals, chord types, harmonic progression, and part writing. Required of all music majors. 54 lecture hours.

Course Objectives

  • identify major and minor key signatures
  • compose exercises based on standard harmonic, melodic and structural components
  • identify interval, scale, and chord types
  • harmonize a given melodic line or bass line
  • analyze selected Bach chorales
  • compose a short musical example using standard compositional techniques
  • identify and audiate harmonic, melodic, and structural relationships based on written musical notation
  • verbally describe common harmonic, melodic and rhythmic relationships
  • understand the relationship between melodic voice-leading principles and its effect on part writing
  • solve musical problems related to composition and arranging

Major Course Content

  1. Elements of Pitch
    1. Notation of the Staff
    2. The Major Scale
    3. The Major Key Signatures
    4. Minor Scale
    5. Minor Key Signatures
    6. Scale Degree Names
    7. Intervals
    8. Perfect, Major, and Minor Intervals
    9. Augmented and Diminished Intervals
    10. Inversion of Intervals
    11. Consonant and Dissonant Intervals
  2. Triads and Seventh Chords
    1. Triads
    2. Seventh Chords
    3. Inversions of Chords
    4. Inversion Symbols
    5. Lead Sheet Symbols
    6. Recognizing Chords in Various Textures
  3. Diatonic Chords in Major and Minor Keys
    1. The Minor Scale
    2. Diatonic Triads in Major
    3. Diatonic Triads in Minor
    4. Diatonic Seventh Chords in Major
    5. Diatonic Seventh Chords in Minor
    6. Principles of Voice Leading
    7. The Melodic Line
    8. Notating Chords
    9. Voicing a Single Triad
    10. Parallel Motion
  4. Root Position Part Writing
    1. Root Position Part Writing with Repeated Roots
    2. Root Position Part Writing with Roots a 4th (5th) Apart
    3. Root Position Part Writing with Roots a 3rd (6th) Apart
    4. Root Position Part Writing with Roots a 3rd(7th) Apart
    5. Instrumental Ranges and Transpositions
  5. Harmonic Progression
    1. Sequences and the Circle of Fifths
    2. The I and V Chords
    3. The II Chord
    4. The VI Chord
    5. The III Chord
    6. The VII Chord
    7. The IV Chord
  6. Triads in First Inversion
    1. Bass Arpeggiation
    2. Substituted First Inversion Triads
    3. Parallel Sixth Chords
    4. Part Writing First Inversion Triads
    5. Soprano-Bass Counterpoint
  7. Triads in Second Inversion
    1. Bass Arpeggiation and the Melodic Bass
    2. The Cadential Six-Four
    3. The Passing Six-Four
    4. The Pedal Six-Four
    5. Part Writing for Second Inversion Triads

Suggested Reading Other Than Required Textbook

Score and sheet music reading.

Examples of Required Writing Assignments

Written analysis of harmonic, melodic, and structural components of musical compositions.

Examples of Outside Assignments

Compose an 8-measure chorale-style phrase in an SATB style based on standard harmonic, melodic and structural components using chords in root position and 1st inversion.

Instruction Type(s)

Lecture, Online Education Lecture