MUSPMACT 1511 - Popular Music Theory 1A

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2015

This course introduces notational, theoretical and analytical skills with an emphasis on popular music. Tutorial starts with the recognition of clefs and key signatures, intervals, chords and tonal harmony, simple and compound rhythm and diatonic voice leading and students examine the principles of theory and progress through the study of the development of tonal and non-tonal theory in Western music. Students learn the theoretical aspects of music making while developing the key skills in music literacy and harmonic analysis that are integral to contemporary music practice. Aural skills concentrates on honing secure listening and reading skills. Keyboard workshop develops skills centred on the practical application of theoretical and compositional content.

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Course Details

Course Code	MUSPMACT 1511
Course	Popular Music Theory 1A
Coordinating Unit	Elder Conservatorium of Music
Term	Semester 1
Level	Undergraduate
Location/s	North Terrace Campus
Units	3
Contact	Up to 3 hours per week
Available for Study Abroad and Exchange	Y
Restrictions	Priority is given to music degree students but course is available to non-music students
Assessment	On-going written and practical assessments 30%, Aural exam 30%, Written exam 40%

Course Staff

Course Coordinator: Associate Professor Luke Harrald

	Name	Telephone	Email	Office
Coordinator	Dr Luke Harrald	83133402	luke.harrald@adelaide.edu.au	Schulz 11.10
Staff	Robyn Habel	83132270	robyn.habel@adelaide.edu.au	Schulz 11.09
	Andrew Chatterton	-	andrew.chatterton@adelaide.edu.au	-

Course Timetable

The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

Course Learning Outcomes

Through successful completion of this course, students will develop:

1) musical literacy, fluency in notation and principles of pitch and rhythmic organisation;
2) skills in harmonic analysis;
3) secure aural abilities;
4) a foundation of keyboard skills to support the practical application of music theory concepts.

University Graduate Attributes

This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

University Graduate Attribute	Course Learning Outcome(s)
Knowledge and understanding of the content and techniques of a chosen discipline at advanced levels that are internationally recognised.	1, 2, 3, 4
The ability to locate, analyse, evaluate and synthesise information from a wide variety of sources in a planned and timely manner.	1, 2
An ability to apply effective, creative and innovative solutions, both independently and cooperatively, to current and future problems.	1, 2
A proficiency in the appropriate use of contemporary technologies.	3, 4
A commitment to continuous learning and the capacity to maintain intellectual curiosity throughout life.	1, 4

Learning Resources

Required Resources

• Class handouts and materials placed on MyUni.
• Stereo headphones with a 6.5mm male adaptor for keyboard workshop.
Note: these must be brought to class in order to use the Schulz 406 keyboard suite.

Recommended Resources

Reading
Benjamin, T. Horovit, M & Nelson, R. (2008) Techniques and Materials of Music : From the Common Practice Period Through to the Twentieth Century. Thomson Schirmer, Belmont.

Bryce, E. (1997) Harmony: a new bridge from traditional to jazz-related harmonic concepts. Noble House Publishing, Oakbank.

Cooper, G. & Meyer, L. (1963) The Rhythmic Structure of Music. University of Chicago Press, Chicago.

Dorrite, F. & Jones, S. (2000) Essentials of Music for Audio Professionals. Mix Pro Audio Series, Mix Books, North Hollywood.

Fitzgibbon, J. (2003) Popular Music Theory and Musicianship. Hazelmount Publishing, Fortitude Valley.

Sturman, P. (2005) Harmony, Melody & Composition. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.

Websites

Free online music theory training.
http://www.musictheory.net
*Also available as a paid iphone or ipad application.

Free online ear training.
http://www.good-ear.com

Software
Auralia and Musition are available in the Schulz level 7 Computer Lab. Students may wish to purchase their own versions if they find these packages useful.

Library
The Music Library located in the Hartley building is an excellent source for music, literature and recordings: http://www.adelaide.edu.au/library/branch/eml/

Music Resources Guide
The Music Resources Guide contains quick links to key music databases for scholarly research and online listening. It also contains links to websites of publicly available online scores, collected editions, and professional associations. Here too you can find a regularly updated list of new books, scores, CDs and DVDs available in the Elder Music Library: http://libguides.adelaide.edu.au/music.

Online Learning

This Course Profile, along with learning materials and assessment will be placed on MyUni – refer to http://myuni.adelaide.edu.au.
Learning & Teaching Activities

Learning & Teaching Modes

The course structure and content is delivered through a range of classes and materials. Class delivery modes include a weekly tutorial, aural class and keyboard workshop. The classes in this course use a format where students are presented with theoretical and/ or practical content through the theory tutorial. The theoretical content creates a topic framework that students will expand practically through the aural classes, and keyboard workshops. Students will also be expected to further expand the topics presented through using out-of-class resources in their own time. The resources will compliment, reinforce and extend the concepts presented.

The classes provide students with an understanding of music theory and analysis that is applicable to a wide variety of contemporary music idioms; aural skills including sight-singing and critical listening; and skills in keyboard musicianship in order to support and improve their composing and song writing.

Workload

The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

In addition to the required contact hours, students are expected to play an active role in the practice, refinement and consolidation of their knowledge and understanding. For each hour of this course students will need to spend on average an additional minimum of 3 - 4 hours per week on readings, practice, self-initiated learning and research in order to pass the course.

Learning Activities Summary

The course structure and content will examine the areas below through weekly theoretical and/or practical demonstrations and exploration. This list is intended as a guide, and may change in response to needs arising during the semester. Further detail regarding weekly content can be found on MyUni.

Semester 1 Topics:

Week 1 – What is Music?
Week 2 – Pitch Basics: The staff and harmonic series.
Week 3 – Rhythmic Notation: notes, rests and common counting systems.
Week 4 – Intervals and Scales.
Week 5 – Modes.
Week 6 – ASSESSMENT in theory, aural and keyboard classes.
Week 7 – Triads and Chord Construction.
Week 8 – Chord / Scale relationships.
Week 9 – Basic Melodic Concepts and Phrase.
Week 10 – Form.
Week 11 – Further Notation: Symbols, Tablature, Drum notation, Charts.
Week 12 – Revision & Assessment

Specific Course Requirements

Facilities Provisions
This course will require that students rehearse outside class time. For individual practice, students may use the keyboard suite (Schulz 406). Please note that in order to use the suite, headphones with a 6.5mm jack are required. An adaptor from a 3.5mm jack may be purchased that will allow the use of ipod headphones etc. Software to help with developing student’s aural skills and musicianship is available in the Computer Lab on Schulz level 7 in the form of Auralia and Musition. Students have 24/7 access to this lab via their swipe card, but it is available on a first come, first serve basis and cannot be booked. Note that around assessment periods, the lab may experience very heavy demand, as it is available to students from all courses within the Conservatorium.

All spaces must be left in a neat and tidy state ready for the next user when you are finished.

The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
Assessment must maintain academic standards.

Assessment Summary

Summative Assessment Summary
Semester 1
Name	Type	Due	%	Learning Outcomes
Ongoing Written & Practical Assessment	Summative	Ongoing assessments set in class by the lecturer, TBA.	30	1, 2, 3, 4
Theory Exam	Summative	Week 15	40	1, 2
Aural Assessment	Summative	Week 6 Week 12	30	3

Formative Assessment: Classes will contain embedded formative assessment through tasks such as quizzes, student presentations, in-class exercises and homework that will enable students to engage with the practical and theoretical concepts presented in order to complete their summative assessments.

Assessment Related Requirements

Expectation & Penalty
As per Conservatorium policy, active and positive participation in 100% of classes is expected, any student who attends less than 100% of required classes without approved leave may result in a 5 (five) mark penalty for each unapproved absence. The penalties will be applied to the final total percentage mark for the year for the relevant component i.e. after all other assessments have been completed and calculated. Arrival after the scheduled starting time or departure before the scheduled finishing time may, at the lecturer or Co-ordinator’s discretion, be regarded as an unapproved absence.

Leave
The Conservatorium recognises that extenuating circumstances may occasionally affect a student’s ability to participate in a rehearsal, workshop, class, lecture, tutorial or performance. In such cases leave may, upon application using the leave form (available from the Music Office Hartley Building G05), be approved by the relevant staff member.

Assessment Detail

ASSESSMENT
Semester 1
Name	Detail
Ongoing Written and Practical Assessments (30%)	This assessment is split into three parts, each worth 10% of students overall semester grade. Part 1 consists of assessment tasks taken in-class in Theory and an assessment for Keyboard in week 6. Part 2 consists of ongoing assessments through Keyboard Workshop, while part 3 consists of an aural transcription exercise. Further detail will be available in class, and on MyUni.
Theory Exam (40%)	The Theory exam will cover the theoretical aspects of the course presented though out the semester in the theory tutorial. The exam will be 90 minutes in duration and will consist of 50 marks derived from short answer questions and 50 marks derived from multiple-choice questions.
Aural Assessment (30%)	Two Aural assessments will take place in class in weeks 6 and 12, and be 50 minutes in duration. The week 6 exam is worth 10% of the student’s overall semester grade, while the week 12 exam is worth 20% of the semester grade. Student’s aural development will be examined through these assessments.

Submission

Assessments and Exams
Students must be available during the identified University teaching, academic and examination periods. Students are not entitled to sit an examination or submit an assessment at another time, nor are they entitled to any other concessions if an examination or assessment conflicts with a planned vacation or special event. Results from assessments and examinations are usually sent to students via email and/or myUni.

Late Submission
Assignments which are submitted after the due date and time will incur a 5% penalty (from the assignment total of 100%) per day (24 hour period) for a maximum of 4 days (weekend days included). After this time the assignment will not be marked for assessment or feedback. Note – this does not apply to assessments where the assessment is conducted at a fixed time and location, such as an exam, practical test, performance or presentation.

Course Grading

Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
Grade	Mark	Description
FNS		Fail No Submission
F	1-49	Fail
P	50-64	Pass
C	65-74	Credit
D	75-84	Distinction
HD	85-100	High Distinction
CN		Continuing
NFE		No Formal Examination
RP		Result Pending

Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

Student Feedback

The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.
Student Support
Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
Fraud Awareness

Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.

Authorised by:	Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Academic)
Maintained by:	Course Outlines Administrator