Akron University

Music Theory 1
CRN: 110, 7500:110

Prerequisite: Theory Rudiments

Fall 2016
3 Credit Hours
T, TH: 8:00am -9:30am
113 Guzzetta Hall

Dr. Brendon Bardo

Office:
Phone:
Email:

Section 01
116 Guzzetta Hall
330-123-4567
bb130@zips.uakron.edu

Office Hours:

(Subject to change)
Tuesdays: 12:30-1:30 p.m.
Wednesdays: 12:00- 1:00 p.m.
Thursdays: 10:00-11:00 a.m.
(other times by appointment)

Course Description: Music Theory 1 is designed to learn about the

basic Elements of music. This includes time signatures, key signatures,
chords, harmony and simple counterpoint. Emphasis will be placed
identifying and constructing these basic elements of music.

Co-Requisites: MUS 010 (Aural Skills 1) and Piano 117 (Piano I).
Students who do not have these co-requisites will be administratively
removed from class unless otherwise approved by the department.

Learning Outcomes:
Students who successfully complete this course will:
-Fluency in reading and notating music in all clefs.
-be able to spell and recognize major and minor key signatures.
-be able to construct and recognize
-be able to spell and recognize triads and seventh chords
-be able to compose species counterpoint.

Required texts:

-The Musicians Guide to Theory and analysis 2nd edition

ISBN: 978-0-393-93081-8
- The Musicians Guide to Theory and analysis workbook
ISBN: 978-0393931327

Recommended Materials:
- Three ring binder
- Staff paper

Course Requirements:
-

2 Quizzes
Mid-Term
Final
Counter Point Project

Attendance Requirements:
It is your job to attend this class regularly! Three absences are allowed,
regardless excused or unexcused. Each additional absence will lower your
letter grade by one third of a letter grade. Arriving late counts as one third
of an absence. For example three tardies counts as one absence. If you
miss more than 25% of the classes you cannot receive a grade higher than a
C. There are no makeup exams unless you demonstrate in advance that a
significant life-event prevents you from being present for class or if you have
a documented emergency.

Content Outline:
1. Pitch and Pitch Class
2. Simple Meters
3. Pitch Collections, Scales, and Major Keys
4. Compound Meters
5. Minor Keys and the Diatonic Modes
6. Intervals
7. Triads
8. Seventh Chords
9. Connecting Intervals in Counterpoint
10.
Species Counterpoint

Assessment:

Quizzes: Quizzes will occur in the first 15 min of class. All of the
quizzes are scheduled on the course calendar. (See below) Quizzes
will occur at the beginning of class. You must be present in person to
take them.
Med-Term: Will be during week 7 and will cover all material before
the mid-term. This test will include both multiple choice and short
answer questions. You must be present for this exam.
Final: The final exam will be during finals week and will be a
cumulative final on everything covered during the semester. You must
be present for this exam.
Counter Point Project: Students are required to compose an
original third species counterpoint composition using the rules of third
species counterpoint. Final copies must be created using notation
software. Programs you could use include: Finale, Sibelius, Noteflight.

Evaluation:

Your final grade will be based on the following material:

-Homework
25%
-Quizzes x2
10%
-Tests x2
40%
-Counter Point Project
15%
-Participation
10%

Grading Criteria: all assignments will be graded on the following

scale:
A
B
C
D
F

100-90
(A=93100) (A-= 9092)
80-89
(B+= 8889) (B= 8387) (B-=8082)
70-79
(C+= 7879) (C= 7377) (C-=7072)
60-69
(D+= 6869) (D= 6367) (D-= 6062)
59 and below

Note: A grade of C+ or above is necessary for this course to count toward BM

graduation requirements.

Schedule Calendar:
Week 1: 9/30:
Tuesday: Review Syllabus, Introduction to Pitch class
Thursday: Piano Keyboard, Reading notes from a score
Week 2: 9/6:
Tuesday: Simple Meters and Time signatures,
Thursday: Subdivisions and Counting Rhythms
Week 3: 9/13:

 Tuesday: Pitch Collections: Chromatic and Diatonic

Thursday: Scales and Major Keys
Week 4: 9/20:
Tuesday: Quiz 1: Pitch class, simple meters, Scales and Major Keys
Compound Meters: notation and subdivision
Thursday: No Class
Week 5: 9/27:
Tuesday: Minor Keys and Compound Meter review
Thursday: Diatonic modes
Week 6: 10/4
Tuesday: Intervals: Consonant and Dissonant
Thursday: Creating intervals and identifying them in music.
Week 7: 10/11
Tuesday: Review for Midterm: Come with questions.
Thursday: MID-TERM!
Week 8: 10/18
Tuesday: Chords and triads
Thursday: Inversions and Figured bass
Week: 9: 10/25
Tuesday: Seventh Chords
Thursday: Seventh Chords
Week 10: 11/1
Tuesday: 1st Species Counterpoint
Thursday: 2nd Species Counterpoint
Week 11: 11/8
Tuesday: Quiz 2: Chords, triads, seventh chords
3rd Species Counterpoint
Thursday: 4th Species Counterpoint
Week 12: 11/15
Tuesday: Cadences and Tonic expansions
Thursday: Bring a laptop: Counterpoint Project will be assigned: We
will go over how to use Noteflight notation software. You will have the
rest of class to work on it and ask questions.
Week 13: 11/22
Tuesday: Thanksgiving Break: No class (Work on counterpoint project)

Thursday: Thanksgiving Break: No class (Work on counterpoint project)

Week 14: 11/28

Tuesday: Embellishments: Passing Tones and Neighbor tones
Thursday: Embellishments: Neighbor tones and Anticipations
Week 15: 12/5
Tuesday: Questions on counterpoint project and review for final.
Thursday: Counterpoint project due at the beginning of class. Review
for final
Week 16: 12/13
Tuesday: Final Exam: will be in room 113 at 9:00 a.m.

Student Ethics and Other Policy Information:

Student Ethics: For information about The University of Akron's policies
regarding student ethics and conduct, please consult the following sources:
http://www3.uakron.edu/gradsch/gradbull.html, then select "General
Information" (academic honesty); or
www.uakron.edu/studdev/conduct.html(Student Code of Conduct).

Disabilities notice: Any student who feels she/he may need an

accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact the Office
of Accessibility at 330-972-7928. The office is located in Simmons Hall Rm.
105.

University Policy: "Students whose names who donot appear on the

class list will not be permitted to participate (take exams or receive credit)
without first showing proof of registration by no later than Sept. 12

Withdrawal Policy: The last day to add or drop a class is Sept. 12th and
the last day to withdraw (WD) from a class is Oct. 17th.

Plagiarism: Under University Rule 3359-41-02, plagiarism constitutes a

type of student misconduct that is punishable by formal disciplinary
probation, suspension, or dismissal from the University. It is the responsibility
of all University of Akron students to know what plagiarism is and how to
avoid it.

Harassment: Harassment of any type (including disability, gender, race,

religion, ethnicity, age, or sexual orientation) is not allowed in class. The
University of Akron is committed to providing an environment free of all
forms of discrimination, including sexual violence and sexual harassment.
This includes instances of attempted and/or completed sexual assault,
domestic and dating violence, gender-based stalking, and sexual
harassment. Additional information, resources, support and the University of
Akron protocols for responding to sexual violence are available
atuakron.edu/Title-IX.

University Closing Policy / Class Cancellation: Call

330.972.SNOW for university cancellationsand check the Springboardsite in
event of inclement weather. Unexpected class cancellation notices will be
distributed via email and the course Springboard site.If you would like to
receive texts of class information via Remind, please send the text message
@mtmgsto 81010 to enroll or visit https://www.remind.com/join/mtmgs