MUSC 104 Aural Skills I

 

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Dr. Denton’s Theory Page: http://users.edinboro.edu/ddenton

 

Course Title: MUSC 104 Aural Skills I

 

Course Description: This course introduces the fundamentals of solfege and ear training.

 

Instructor

Dr. Allen Howell, MH 115, Telephone 2507, [email protected]

Office Hours: MWF 9:00-10:00 a.m., T/Th 10:00-11:00 a.m.

 

Textbooks

Ottman, R.W. (2004). Music for sight singing (7th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall.

Hall, A.C. (1998). Studying rhythm (3rd ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall.

MacGamut 6 user disk.

Good quality headphones (for use with computers).

Computer storage media.

Staff paper.

 

Course Objectives

1. Sing and identify (a) major scales, (b) rhythmic patterns up to 1^st level subdivision of beat, and (c) melodies containing diatonic notes.
2. Identify tonic pitch and be able to recall tonic when singing.
3. Identify errors after you have sung an example and after an example has been played or sung for you.
4. Identify meters (simple and compound) and be able to maintain meter when performing.
5. Identify triad qualities.
6. Sing and identify intervals (perfect octave, fifth, fourth; augmented 4^th/diminished 5^th; major and minor 3rds; major and minor 2nds).
7. Read notes in treble and bass clef.
8. Perform two voice rhythmic examples.
9. Sing diatonic melodies in major at first sight while conducting and tapping and using either solfege syllables or letter names as directed.
10. Conduct the beat while performing rhythms and melodies.

 

NASM Standards:

Students must acquire:

·      Knowledge and skills sufficient to work as a leader and in collaboration on matters of musical interpretation. Rehearsal and conducting skills are required as appropriate to the particular music concentration.

·      Keyboard competency. Experiences in secondary performance areas are recommended.

·      Rudimentary capacity to create derivative or original music both extemporaneously and in written form.

·      The ability to compose, improvise, or both at a basic level in one or more musical languages, for example, the imitation of various musical styles, improvisation on pre-existing materials, the creation of original compositions, experimentation with various sound sources, and manipulating the common elements in non-traditional ways.

·      A basic overview understanding of how technology serves the field of music as a whole.

·      Working knowledge of the technological developments applicable to their area of specialization.

Students should be:

·      Working independently on a variety of musical problems by combining their capabilities in performance; aural, verbal and visual analysis; composition and improvisation; and history and repertory.

• In addition to the skills required for all musicians, functional performance abilities in keyboard and the voice are essential. Functional performance abilities in instruments appropriate to the student’s teaching specialization are also essential.
• Musicianship, vocal, and pedagogical skills sufficient to teach general music.
• The ability to lead performance-based instruction.
• Vocal and pedagogical skill sufficient to teach effective use of the voice.

 

Grading

You must maintain a passing average in each of the following three categories and you must pass all three categories on the final exam to pass the course:

I.          Ear training

II.        Sight singing of melodies, singing of scales and pitch patterns

III.       Rhythmic reading and conducting

 

A B+ B C+ C D+ D F

93-100% 88-92% 83-87% 78-82% 73-77% 68-72% 60-67% below 60%

 

Class performance Assignments MacGamut Dictation Exam 1 Sight Reading Exam 1 Dictation Exam 2 Sight Reading Exam 2 Dictation Exam 3 Sight Reading Exam 3 Dictation Exam 4 Sight Reading Exam 4 Final Dictation Exam Final Sight Reading Exam

5% 5% 8% 3% 3% 6% 6% 8% 8% 10% 10% 14% 14%

 

Class performance is determined by how well you perform when called on individually in class. You will receive a zero for class performance when you fail to attend class. Expectations for items assigned as homework will be higher than for items performed at sight. Dictation exams will be given in class and will consist of your written responses to music played for you (e.g., you might be asked whether a triad is major or minor). Sight reading exams will be held in my office by individual appointment and involve your performing music for me. When sight-reading melodies, students will conduct and tap and use either solfege syllables or letter names as directed. When sight reading or reading single line rhythmic examples, students must be able to perform the rhythm on a neutral syllable while conducting or tapping as directed and must be able to clap the rhythm while counting out loud. When performing two-voice rhythmic examples, students must be able to perform the top voice on a neutral syllable while clapping the bottom voice. (a) Maintaining a steady tempo, (b) maintaining tonality and meter, and (c) non-stop performance are required for a passing grade. In addition, sight reading will be graded according to the accuracy of pitch and rhythm.

 

You must register your MacGamut software at the MacGamut website (http://www.macgamut.com). You will be required to submit a file to me each week via email that will report on your individual work on the MacGamut drills. You are required to turn in your start file whether or not you have been keeping up with your assignments. Submit your files by 5:00 p.m. each Friday by sending an email attachment to [email protected]. Try http://www.musictheory.net for additional ear training practice.

 

Because this is a skill-building course, regular practice with the materials is necessary. Regular means 5-7 days a week: cramming will not yield meaningful progress. Working 30 minutes a day for 5 days is better than working for a couple of hours one day a week.

 

Attendance—Two absences will be allowed with no grade reduction. If you have planned absences for which you will receive a Dean’s excuse, these need to be fewer than two in number to be excused. All subsequent absences will lower the final grade by 5 percentage points each. I will not excuse more than two absences regardless of the reason. These include medical problems with a physician’s written description, appointment with a physician (or dentist, orthodontist, veterinarian, chiropractor, etc.), death in the family, car trouble, repair people who are later than they say they will be, child care concerns, campus activities, field trips, fraternity/sorority functions, back surgery, appointments with your advisor, medical problems/appointments of parents/relatives, weddings, funerals, airline reservations, housing emergencies, military functions, sports events, etc. There are, of course, legitimate reasons to miss class and some absences will be unavoidable. The bottom line, however, is that it is necessary to attend class regularly to receive its full benefit. Your education needs to be a priority during the time you are in school.

 

Assignments   Solfege Patterns      Duets       Helpful Tips   Sight Singing Drills      Aural Skills Drills       Rhythm Flash Cards   Solfege Article Hand Signals   Homer Simpson Beer Song

 

Course Calendar

WEEK 1 (8-25):

 

 

WEEK 2 (9-3):

Monday Labor Day

Solfege Patterns (Groups I & II)

Duets 1-5.

Practice

 

WEEK 3 (9-8):

Exam 1

 

WEEK 4 (9-15):

Solfege Patterns (Groups I-IV)

Duets 1-10.

Practice

 

WEEK 5 (9-22):

 

 

WEEK 6 (9-29):

Exam 2

 

WEEK 7 (10-6):

 

WEEK 8 (10-13):

 Tuesday Reading Day

 

WEEK 9 (10-20):

Exam 3

 

WEEK 10 (10-27):

 

 

WEEK 11 (11-3):

 

 

WEEK 12 (11-10):

Exam 4

 

WEEK 13 (11-17):

 

 

WEEK 14 (11-24):

Wed-Fri Thanksgiving Break

 

 

WEEK 15 (12-1):

Final copy of your start file is due

 

 

WEEK 16 (12-8)

Finals Week

Ear Training Final

Sight Reading Final

 

 

NOTE: If you need special accommodation in testing or presentation of class materials, please contact me during the first week of classes to file a written request for a reasonable accommodation plan. Course requirements will not be waived but accommodations may be made to assist you to meet the requirements, provided you are timely in working with me to develop a reasonable accommodation plan.

 

NOTE:  If you need special accommodation regarding the observance of a religious holiday or holidays, please contact me during the first week of classes to file a written request for a reasonable accommodation plan. Course requirements will not be waived but accommodations may be made to assist you to meet the requirements, provided you are timely in working with me to develop a reasonable accommodation plan.

 

NOTE: Cheating is prohibited. Any acts of cheating or plagiarism will result in failure of the course. The disruption or prevention of the peaceful and orderly conduct of classes, lectures, and other University functions is prohibited. Disruptive students will be requested to leave class and will be counted absent. Please refer to the University Policy Manual at http://www.edinboro.edu/cwis/studaff/judicial/code_conduct.htm

 

NOTE: Only work that has been evaluated by me will be used in grade calculation.

 

CAVEAT: The above schedule and procedures are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances.