    
Course Outline
 | This is an organic document! It will change. You are responsible for what is on this page, not a copy you made at the beginning of the semester. | | The dates given in the right column are the due dates, not the day we will work on assignments in class. If there is ever a problem with an assignment (technology problem, don't understand it, can't find it, etc.) do not wait until the due date (or time) to explain your problem. | | If something is not clear to you, ASK ME. My schedule is on my door (122) or email me at vjohnson@tarleton.edu |
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| Content for the week will be in this column.  | This column will show you what is due on which day. Animated bullets mark each item. |
Week 1 Aug 27-Aug 31 Preliminaries Roll check and advisor list -
Syllabus Theory placement exam will be tomorrow during Aural Skills for all who have not yet taken it -
A little advice from your friends
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What is Music Theory? Exercise: Board work - clefs, notes, accidentals, etc. Friday: 1-minute paper Who has not taken the theory placement exam? | Assignments Due: | 
| Wed | Put this webpage link on your desktop On the top of this page, File - Send - Shortcut to desktop | |
| Wed | Bring 3x5 cards to class | |
| Fri | Pitch Print it, read it, keep it | |
| Fri | Print Notation Basics Read it and be familiar with guidelines for notation Note: Every time I ask you to bring something to class, I will hold you accountable and it will affect your grade. |
 End of Friday, one minute feedback and 5 minute 3x5 drill. Missing class 
Learn to articulate Get the "like" out Timbre: why different instruments playing the same note sound different |
Week 2 Sep 3-7 No class on Monday: Labor Day!! Scales and Keys Friday: 1-minute paper
 Major scales Practice Minor scales Practice | Assignments Due: 
from A Musical Grammar (1679) by Nikolay Diletsky |
Week 3 Sep 10-14 | Decreased by one half-step | Interval in its original state | Increased by one half-step | | Diminished o (d) | Perfect P | Augmented + (A) | | Minor m | Major M | Augmented + (A) | | Diminished o (d) | Minor m | Major M | | Assignments Due: | Mon | Assignment #1 Circle of 5ths (you will fill out template in class without notes) | | Fri | Assignment 2: Major scales Minor scales | | Fri | IBring your level! Interval game Play the game to your best score and level. You can play multiple times to improve your score. While on the final score screen, press the Print Screen key on your keyboard (PrtScn) Open a blank Word document Right click (or press Ctrl V) and paste the image onto the Word Doc Bring the document to turn in at the beginning of class
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Week 4 Sep 17-21 | Assignments Due: | Mon | Assignment #3 Interval Construction A Interval Construction B | | Mon | Modes Print it, read it, keep it Modes print this, too! (to study for your quiz on Friday) | | Fri | Quiz #2 Modes (names and color tones) | | Fri | Bring your levels! Note name game Key Signature Game Play each game to your best score and level. You can play multiple times to improve your score. While on the final score screen, press the Print Screen key on your keyboard (PrtScn) Open a blank Word document Right click (or press Ctrl V) and paste the image onto the Word Doc Bring the document to turn in at the beginning of class
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Check Note name and Key signature Proficiency for your name! Deadline for completed proficiencies is Sunday midnight  |
Week 5 Sep 24-28 | Assignments Due: 
Also on p. 22 of Hall Studying Rhythm book illustrates when to use ties. (in General Theory folder)
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Week 6 Oct 1-6
| Assignments Due: Play some Chord Basketball Basketball Music Quiz  |
Week 7 Oct 8-12 Review for MidTerm Exam with Practice Test (distributed Monday) MidTerm Exam Friday Midterm Evaluation Exercise: using 'Spell it in Thirds' worksheet, random student name the chord and type (work for speed) Note: the following answers will be graded -
Name of major key -
Name of lead sheet chord Spell the chord in thirds; put the name of the chord above the staff; if the bass note is not the root, add it below a slash -
Name the Roman numberal Identify the number of the chord in the key (Ex: in Bb, a Cm chord is a ii) -
Add the figured bass Root= nothing; 6=3rd in the bass; 6/4= 5th in the bass | Assignments Due: | Mon | Assignment #6 Triads A Triads B | | Mon | Deadline for Note Name and Key Signature Proficiencies | | Mon | Quick Facts Sheet Print this Notice that definition for IAC is incorrect | | Fri | MidTerm Exam Bring a page of staff paper with a keyboard on it | | | | |
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Week 8 Oct 15-19 Go over MidTerm Exam when graded Nonharmonic Tones p. 139 p. 79 Nonchord tones in video Nonharmonic tones flash demo Nonharmonic tones listed in a table according to movement Demonstration of non-harmonic tones (charades) Cadences p. 80-87 Melodic Organization Benward p. 119 (doc cam) Motive Sequence Phrase Period
Phrases and cadences Phrases and cadences II The Period: Two Phrases Become One Structure Plagal - "Let It Be" (Beatles) | Assignments Due: |
Week 9 Oct 22-28 Melody Melodies: Song List Aspects of Melody Melody Overview Principles of Voice-leading How to Write a Bad Melody Introduction to Finale (in 118) Go through Finale in lab (self-paced) QuickStart Videos: Simple Note Entry Finale Page | Assignments Due: Interval Review Piano |
Week 10 Oct 29-Nov 2 Wed/Fri melody composition critiques Extra credit if you wear a costume on Halloween. Note: If you have to explain it to me, it doesn't count. 
| Assignments Due: | Mon | Composition first draft Bring to class a first draft of your melody, written on staff paper ready to transcribe to Finale. Melodies must be complete. You will receive a grade for this. You must be able to sing your melody to me! Use solfege. NOTE: Please refer to the Compositions page for requirements and how the assignment will be graded! | | Mon | Video Before class, watch the Simple Note Entry video under QuickStart Videos The more of these videos you watch, the better prepared you will be to use Finale in the lab | | | | | | Wed | Composition #1 Please follow the instructions for this assignment that are listed on this Composition link | Save the Finale file as “YourNameComposition1” (Please save exactly like this, not by the title you have given your piece - this is for my file organization to grade Composition #1 and #2 separately and to be able to find your file to listen in class) | | E-mail your completed Finale file as an attachment to vjohnson@tarleton.edu by 8:30am on the due date. The subject line of the email should also read "YourNameComposition1" Turn in a printed copy of your score at the beginning of class on the due date DO NOT disturb the 8:00 piano class to work on your composition or to print your file. Plan ahead. |
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Week 11 Nov 5-9 Harmonic progressions Circle progressions Harmonic Analysis Analysis #1 Harmonic Analysis Practice sheet copy for Assignment #8 Bach Chorale Chord Progressions Another way to look at it Textbook p. 214 - 219 Accompaniment patterns How to harmonize a soprano line Accompaniment patterns More patterns Wed/Fri: Work on Composition #2 in computer lab Workbook p. 77 analysis exercises
Piano Man example of descending bass line Harmonic Progression Sweet Home Chicago Mr. Postman | Assignments Due: | | | | | Fri | Assignment #8 Harmonic Rhythm Determine harmonic rhythm Place lead sheet symbols above Place harmonic analysis below
When you hear hooves, think horses, not zebras! 
In other words, don't pick a strange chord just because it will fit. Use a traditional harmonization for these traditional songs. |
Composition Assignments |
Week 12 Nov 12-16 Composition #2 critique | Assignments Due: | Mon | Composition #2 Review all requirements for Composition #2 on the link below before sending me the file Composition Assignments E-mail your completed Finale file as an attachment to vjohnson@tarleton.edu by 8:30am on the due date. The subject line of the email should also read "YourNameComposition2" DO NOT disturb the 8:00 piano class to work on your composition or to print your file. Plan ahead. | | | | |
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Week 13 Nov 19-21 
No class on Thursday or Friday: Thanksgiving holiday | Assignments Due: | Mon | Assignment #9 Turn in completed Harmonic Analysis Practice Sheet Download here Include both lead sheet symbols (above) and Roman numeral analysis (below). | | | | |
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Week 14 Nov 26-Nov 30 Exercise: Construct at the board nonharmonic tones at board cadences sequence Example: The Ash Grove
Course Reflection Discussion | Assignments Due: For those of you who doubt the importance of establishing tonality in your compositions, here's a Christmas funny |
Week 15 Dec 3-5 Last class day Wednesday, Dec 5 Review for Final Exam Final Exam: Monday, Dec 10 3:00 - 5:30am  Study Guide Circle of Fifths template for practice Practice tests: Version A Version B Version C Version D Version E Use this grade calculator to estimate your final grade | 
It really is! |
| Theory I Game Scores | | Rank | Note Name Game | Key Sig Game | Interval Game | | | 22022133 | 4985113 | 149278 | | 1 | Abe 655701 | Tyler 4985113 | Courtnie 89541 | | 2 | Courtnie 27394 | Abe 1357281 | Colin 68566 | | 3 | Ashley 25353 | Colin 346811 | Deon 65556 | | 4 | Jacob 17608 | Deon 56330 | Ashley 42230 | | 5 | Sarah 10465 | Courtnie 51909 | Francheska 27846 | | 6 | Colin 7459 | Kayla 39911 | Sarah 23678 | | 7 | Kayla 6594 | Matt 32492 | Jacob 18525 | | 8 | Tyler 6416 | Gwen 22181 | Gwen 13994 | | 9 | Zach Z 5597 | Savanna 16542 | Maegan 16618 | | 10 | Stephanie 4250 | Zach Z 12907 | Gunnar 12145 | | | | | | | | | | | | Proficiency List Still need to complete Note Proficiency: (you must make a 98) Still need to complete Key Signature Proficiency: (you must make a 95) 
Proficiency Links Key Signature Drill #1 Key Trainer Note Trainer Bass Clef speed drill Note reading Drill Note speed reading Drill 3Note Game |
SEATING CHARTS |
 
Created and maintained by Vicky V. Johnson
The job of teachers is "arranging the conditions of learning" (Chickering 2000, 25) Neurons that fire together, wire together. Music: sound with intentional parameters as prescribed by the intender 
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