Fundamentals of Music Theory
The following learning targets represent the major concepts studied and assessed in this course.
Semester
Fundamentals of Music:
- Discuss/review procedures for sight reading
- Begin learning note names in four clefs and rhythm note and rest values
- Learn time signatures in simple and compound meter
- Sight reading factory level 1(melody and rhythm)
Unit 1: Intervals, Scales, Tonality, Key, Modes, Chords, Cadences, Harmonic Progressions
- Sight reading factory level 2 and 3 (melody and rhythm)
- Writing major scales and major key signatures
- Discuss scale degree names and purposes
- Identify and write minor key signatures and minor scales
- Identifying and writing major, minor, perfect, augmented, diminished intervals
- Discuss consonant and dissonant intervals
- Learn inversions of intervals (identifying and writing)
- Building triads in root position from scale degree
- Building seventh chords in root position from scale degrees
- Discuss the quality of roman numerals in major and minor keys with triads and seventh chords
- Identify and write major, minor, augmented, and diminished triads
- Building seventh chords in root position
Unit 2: Textures, Melodic Organization, Voice Leading
- Sight reading factory level 2 and 3 (melody and rhythm)
- Analyzing chords in inversions in a major or minor key signature
- Building triads and seventh chords in inversions in major and minor key signatures
- Review the quality of roman numerals in major and minor keys with triads and seventh chords
- Discuss and use triad and seventh chord part-writing rules
- Discuss chord progressions and cadences
Essential Questions
- How can I obtain and improve my sight reading skills?
- How do I dictate music excerpts accurately?
- How do I read and write music?
- What resources are available to help me solidify my understanding of the musical concepts?