Music Theory 1

About the course

The course consists of the modules part writing, harmonic analysis, ear training and music analysis. It will provide you with the tools to understand, practice and write polyphonic music within the Western art music tradition.

Module 1: Part writing, harmonic analysis and ear training, 7.5 credits

The module consists of three parts: part writing, harmonic analysis and ear training. Part writing covers chord types and voice leading principles from Western music, with a particular focus on Western art music from around 1700 to 1900. This includes exercises in part writing in various contexts, especially traditional four-part choral composition. Harmonic analysis involves interpreting chords in notated music and describing the harmony in which they occur, using, for example, functional theory or Roman numeral analysis. Ear training is integrated with composition and harmonic analysis. Students learn to notate individual parts and harmonic progressions based on aural material. Common aspects studied include intervals, rhythms, melodies and simple chord progressions.

Module 2: Music analysis, 7.5 credits

The module introduces basic music analysis. In the module, a number of pieces of music are studied. Focus lies on how to approach music with different types of music analysis, such as motif analysis, form analysis and Schenker analysis. Students learn to identify and describe forms that are common in Western art music, and practice identifying characteristic features in different types of music. The course also covers tools and methods relevant in the analysis of popular music. An important part of the course is exercises in how to account for music analysis in writing.