MUSSUPST 1002 - Musicianship Fundamentals 1B

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2017

This course involves the study of a wide range of music, including classical, jazz and popular music styles, where approaches to rhythm, harmony, melody and form are introduced and investigated as concepts and in directed listening. Concepts and modes of analysis are assessed both in exam and in exercises involving transcription, analysis, composition, and rhythmic performance.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code MUSSUPST 1002
    Course Musicianship Fundamentals 1B
    Coordinating Unit Elder Conservatorium of Music
    Term Semester 2
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 3 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y
    Incompatible MUSSUPST 1120, MUSSUPST 1000B, MUSJAZZ 1500B, MUSPMACT 1512
    Assumed Knowledge Proficiency with reading standard musical notation
    Assessment Analysis assignment 30%, Composition exercises 20%, Transcript assignment 20%, Exam 30%
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Mr Steven Knopoff

    Course Timetable

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

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    On successful completion of this course students will be able to:

    1. Confidently read, describe and analyse a range of music and musical scores using appropriate terminology
    2. To recognise musical techniques and develop awareness of musical aesthetics through score analysis and listening critically to a wide range of music
    3. Apply conceptual knowledge of the creation of music through composition
    4. To understand various composers’ and performers' use of melody and harmony through transcription and analysis
    5. To undertake in-class and at-home exercises to build performance-related skills in musicianship
    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)
    Deep discipline knowledge
    • informed and infused by cutting edge research, scaffolded throughout their program of studies
    • acquired from personal interaction with research active educators, from year 1
    • accredited or validated against national or international standards (for relevant programs)
    1, 2, 3, 4, 5
    Critical thinking and problem solving
    • steeped in research methods and rigor
    • based on empirical evidence and the scientific approach to knowledge development
    • demonstrated through appropriate and relevant assessment
    2, 3, 4
    Teamwork and communication skills
    • developed from, with, and via the SGDE
    • honed through assessment and practice throughout the program of studies
    • encouraged and valued in all aspects of learning
    3
    Career and leadership readiness
    • technology savvy
    • professional and, where relevant, fully accredited
    • forward thinking and well informed
    • tested and validated by work based experiences
    1, 2, 3, 4, 5
    Self-awareness and emotional intelligence
    • a capacity for self-reflection and a willingness to engage in self-appraisal
    • open to objective and constructive feedback from supervisors and peers
    • able to negotiate difficult social situations, defuse conflict and engage positively in purposeful debate
    2, 5
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    Textbook
    Musicianship textbook and/or software may be required for this course.

    Summary of Music Theory Terminology
    A brief outline of some of the basic music theory terminology that all students need to know.

    Materials from Lectures Posted in MyUni
    There will be weekly postings to MyUni of material associated with the lectures. Additional material (e.g. related to tutorials) may also be posted to MyUni. The material posted to MyUni comprise a core resource for this course.

    e-learning resources
    All students are strongly encouraged to make use of the excellent online resources available through the Conservatorium’s subscription to “e-learning resources”. In addition to comprehensive information that is clearly presented, there are numerous practice questions for aural and theoretical questions, as well as a wide range of other support information.

    Students who are deficient in certain areas presumed knowledge/skills will be directed to work through relevant portions of the e-learning site in order to bring their knowledge/skill up to the required level.

    The e-learning resources website is located at: e-lr.com.au 
    Access the site using the following username and password: 
    User Name: student.elder.sa 
    Password: stave
    Recommended Resources
    Oxford Music Online is a portal that enables searching in Grove Music Online and other Oxford reference content in the one location. Students can access Oxford Music Online which houses Grove music online through the link on the Elder Music Library website at: http://www.adelaide.edu.au/library/about/libraries/eml/internet_resources/
    Grove music online [electronic resource] can also be located as a title search through the library catalogue.

    Fitzgerald, Jon. 2003. Popular Music Theory. East Lismore, NSW: Hazelmount Publishing.

    Levine, Mark. 1995. The Jazz Theory Book. Petaluma, California: Sher Music.

    Turek, Ralph. 2007. Theory for Today's Musician. Boston: McGraw-Hill.

    The above-listed books are available at the Elder Music Library. The 2014 Edition of Theory for Today's Musician is also available as an e-book via the Barr-Smith Library catalogue.
    Online Learning
    The MyUni site for this course will contain this Course Profile and various learning resources.

    The Elder Music Library’s 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

    You can listen to an extensive range of works either on or off-campus through the library's Naxos subscription. Via the library catalogue, search using Naxos as the title and limit your search to ‘electronic resources’. You will be prompted to enter your uni ID number and password to access the Naxos catalogue and there is a wealth of material available for listening (but not downloading) via the internet. You can search for recordings many ways, such as by composer, performer or name of the work. The link to the Naxos catalogue is as follows: http://uoa.naxosmusiclibrary.com.proxy.library.adelaide.edu.au/

    Many public domain classical music scores have been digitised and can be accessed through the Petrucci Music Library - http://imslp.org/wiki/Main_Page (can also be accessed via the Music Resources Guide).
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    Lectures will explore a range of topics. The lectures will be supported by workshops which are oriented towards students’ specialist area, such as classical, jazz, sonic arts or popular music, and in which theoretical aspects are applied in practical ways.
    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 3 contact hours per week, it is anticipated that students would spend 6-9 hours per week in reviewing lecture
    notes, preparing for workshops, listening to repertoire, preparing for assessments and exams, undertaking suggested listening, reading, or viewing, and practising musicianship skills.
    Learning Activities Summary
    The following schedule is indicative of the topics in this course. Some topics and ordering of topics may vary

    Week 1

    Introduction to the Course
    Introduction to composition and improvisation

    Week 2
    Rhythm: concepts, performance styles, and a skill-building exercise

    Week 3
    Rhythm

    Week 4
    Transcription and Analysis, Melody

    Week 5
    Melody

    Week 6
    Melody

    Week 7
    Harmony in classical music, jazz and pop

    Week 8
    Harmony in classical music, jazz and pop

    Week 9
    Musical form: Binary and Ternary forms

    Week 10
    Musical form: Sonata form

    Week 11
    Musical form: 32-bar and other jazz and popular song forms

    Week 12
    Course Summary and Revision
    Specific Course Requirements
    There are no additional course-specific requirements.
  • Assessment

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

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

    Assessment Summary
    ASSESSMENT TASK TASK TYPE WEIGHTING COURSE LEARNING OUTCOME(S)
    Composition Exercise Summative 15% 3
    Transcription Assignment Formative and/or
    Summative
    15% 2, 4
    Mid-term, self-assessed Test Formative 0% 1, 2, 4
    Analysis/Transcription Assignment Formative and Summative 20% 1, 2, 4
    Rhythmic Performance Test Summative 10% 5
    Course Exam Summative 40% 1, 2, 4
    Assessment Related Requirements
    Attendance and participation expectations are as follows:

    Lectures: Although attendance at all lectures is expected, leave applications will not be required to be submitted to the lecturers due to logistical reasons. Students are advised that poor attendance at lectures will very likely have a significant negative impact on their ability to complete assessment tasks. Lectures will be recorded and made available in MyUni.

    Tutorials
    : Full attendance at tutorials is expected and students will be required to attend at least 8 of 10 tutorials. With the exception of certified medical absences, each tutorial absence beyond the permitted 2 will result in 5 marks being deducted from the student's full course result.

    Exam Attendance:
    All students are required to attend the Course Exam (on the date set by the Examinations Office). No exceptions will be made except on certified medical grounds or on professional/compassionate grounds if approved by the coordinator well in advance of the scheduled exam.

    If you are ill on the day of the Course Exam: You should not sit the course exam if you are ill, both because you could infect others and because you will likely not perform at your best. You should visit a doctor and obtain a medical certificate for the day of the test/exam, required for medical replacement assessments. You should also notify the coordinator at your soonest opportunity to request a medical replacement assessment. Requests for medical replacement assessments will only be considered if the coordinator is contacted within a short period of the missed test or exam, e.g., within a day or two, NOT two or three weeks later.
    Assessment Detail
    Composition exercise: students to write compositions based on specified musical concepts - 15% weighting
    Transcription assignment/s:
    students transcribe music from recordings - 15% weighting
    Mid-term online Test:
    students to self-administer/self-mark this test, which provides a primary formative assessment for the Course Exam. - 0% weighting
    Transcription/Analysis assignment:
    students will be required to complete an assessment involving either score-based music analysis or an additional music transcription exercise - 20% weighting
    Rhythmic Performance Test: Students to be assessed on a brief performance of rhythmic material which they have practiced in class and on their own during the course of the semester - 10% weighting
    Course Exam: a 2-hour exam to be held at the end of semester - 40% weighting.
    Submission
    Final versions of assignments may be produced in neat, dark pen or pencil, or may be submitted as .pdf using music notation software such as Sibelius or Finale. Assignments must be submitted in the Assignment Box located at the Elder Music Office, Level 9 Schulz Building (access via western Schulz lifts). no later than 4:00 p.m. on the due date.

    Late assignment policy:
    Late written assignments will be accepted to a maximum of 7 days late with a late penalty of 3 marks per calendar day applied.

    Extensions without penalty may be granted when supporting documentation can be provided and then, and only then, by arrangement with the course lecturer prior to the due date and time. Extensions will not be granted under any other circumstance. To apply for an extension, use the medical/compassionate application form available at:

    http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/3303/?dsn=policy.document;field=data;id=7446;m=view

    The completed form should be submitted to the Elder Conservatorium Office, either in person at the Music Office front desk (Schulz Building Level 9, access via western Schulz lifts) or via email: music@adelaide.edu.au
    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
  • 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.