Music Theory I Syllabus – Fall Quarter 2013

Professor Nathan Lansing, Instructor MUS 141

Phone: 509-533-3721 Music Theory I
Office: 15-218 Monday through Friday / 5 credit hours
E-mail: Nathan.Lansing@spokanefalls.edu Classroom / Start Time: 15-229 / 9:30am
Office hours: 10:30-12:30pm or appointment Prerequisite: none

Music Theory I introduces you, aurally and analytically, to the basic materials and procedures of tonal harmony.
Included are rhythmic perception, tonal perception, elementary compositional skills and basic music analysis skills.

Required texts and materials: Bring these to class every day unless instructed otherwise.
 Text 1: Tonal Harmony by S. Kostka, D. Payne, & B. Almén, 7th ed. AND the associated Workbook.
 Text 2: Music for Sight Singing by R. W. Ottman & N. Rogers, 8th/9th ed.
o BOTH of these texts are used in Music Theory II – VI.
 Manuscript paper (8.5” x 11” and without fringe. See http://people.virginia.edu/~pdr4h/musicpaper or my
Online Syllabus page for free manuscript paper in PDF format. 10 staves is best, be sure to 3-hole punch.
 3-ring binder (1” or larger).
 Sharpened pencil and eraser.
Course basics:
 Students are expected to prepare for every class and to read the relevant section of text addressed in class
and complete the relevant self-test. Daily drill sessions are an integral part of learning basic music theory.
Lack of preparation will be reflected in your performance on assignments and assessments, and therefore
your grade.
 Completed homework assignments must be placed on the front desk before the start of the day’s lecture.
Students who are not in class are expected to obtain the homework assignment from the instructor and/or
make arrangements for the homework to be properly submitted on-time. In the event of a scheduled
absence, completed homework assignments may also be submitted to the instructor’s faculty mailbox. All
homework assignments and quizzes must be completed in pencil, unless other options are needed.
 Any assignments turned-in for a grade must be on a full sheet of paper, and any fringe must be removed.
 Timed quizzes are administered at the instructor’s discretion. These will cover the material presented
during the previous two to four (2-4) classes. No make-ups are given; late arrivals are not granted
additional time.

How is my progress being assessed? What grade will I receive?

Homework assignments, quizzes, exams & sight singing are worth a percentage of your total grade:
70% WRITTEN COMPONENTS: Homework, 30% • Quizzes, 15% • Midterm Exam 10% • Final Exam 15%
30% AURAL SKILLS COMPONENTS: Quizzes 15% • Sight-singing Appointments (2 @ 7.5% each), 15%
Grades will be based on the percentage earned of total points available:

95+ = 4.0 88 = 3.3 81 = 2.6 74 = 1.9 67 = 1.2

94 = 3.9 87 = 3.2 80 = 2.5 73 = 1.8 66 = 1.1
93 = 3.8 86 = 3.1 79 = 2.4 72 = 1.7 65 = 1.0
92 = 3.7 85 = 3.0 78 = 2.3 71 = 1.6 64 = 0.9
91 = 3.6 84 = 2.9 77 = 2.2 70 = 1.5 63 = 0.8
90 = 3.5 83 = 2.8 76 = 2.1 69 = 1.4 61 = 0.7
89 = 3.4 82 = 2.7 75 = 2.0 68 = 1.3 60 = 0.0
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 Music Theory I Syllabus – Fall Quarter 2013
Class will not meet on:

o Monday, November 11th, 2013 (observance of Veteran’s Day)

o Wednesday-Friday, November 27th-29th, 2013 (Thanksgiving holiday)

As part of the course content, the following course outcomes will be addressed:
 Communication: Students learn to communicate through music using correct notation and theoretical
descriptions.
 Effective thinking: Students learn to combine the basic principles of music theory with their prior musical
knowledge. An emphasis is placed on the practical application of music theory within the context of applied
music in ensembles.
 Aesthetics: Students gain an understanding about music’s compositional structure and learn to properly
interpret musical notation and read music.
 Professional development: Music Theory I provides the basic foundation and framework for all skills in
music at both the student and professional level.
 Additional outcomes: At the conclusion of the course, students should have a thorough grasp of music
theory basics: clefs, rhythm/meter, intervals, triads, scales, melodic line and the principles of melody.
To achieve these outcomes, the following learning experiences will be undertaken:
 Daily instructor-facilitated lectures
 Auditory demonstrations of music theory concepts
 Sight-singing and ear-training drills and practice
 Daily music theory drills
 Quizzes
 Graded homework assignments assigned at the end of class, due the beginning of the next class.
 Two exams will test the overall retention/application of concepts.
Policy for late assignments and missed exams:
 Homework assignments are due at the beginning of the next class (unless stated otherwise). Late
homework assignments will be accepted the next school day (at 10:30am) for half of the earned credit.
REMEMBER: HALF CREDIT IS BETTER THAN NO CREDIT.
 Timed quizzes are given every Friday. There will be NO make-ups for missed quizzes. However,
extenuating circumstances may enable a student to reschedule a quiz or exam. Requests will be handled
on an individual basis at the instructor’s discretion, and have a better chance of being granted if they’re
received before the class is missed. Missed exams or quizzes will receive zero (0) points.
Attendance Policy:
Please contact me by phone or email when you are absent (or contact a classmate who can alert me. You are
permitted three unexcused absences. Absences due to SFCC-related activities are, of course, excused.
Subsequent unexcused absences will lower your final grade by one-tenth (.1) of a point each. Furthermore,
quizzes/tests may not be made up due to an unexcused absence.
Exams

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 Music Theory I Syllabus – Fall Quarter 2013
The midterm written exam will be Friday, October 25th; the final written exam takes place on Thursday, December
12th. You will also meet individually with Professor Lansing for two Sight Singing appointments (dates to be
determined).

Listen!
I highly recommend that you listen to orchestral/symphonic music and jazz regularly. Not only will it reinforce the
concepts we study in class, but you will begin to learn the repertoire from outside of your own “comfort zone”, which
is of crucial importance to anyone planning to pursue music as a career. The SFCC library has a small but nice
collection of CDs that are available for you to listen to. There are four local radio stations that play such music:
KAGU 88.7 – Classical music, 24/7 from the campus of Gonzaga University
KEWU 89.5 – Jazz 24/7 from the campus of Eastern Washington University
KPBX 91.1 – Spokane public radio. Live Web streaming available.
KWSU 91.7 – Public radio from the campus of WSU. Live Web streaming available.
Other Resources:
The Web site http://www.musictheory.net is an extremely valuable resource for extra training and lessons in both
music theory and sight-singing/ear training. I highly recommend you use them – drill is the easiest way to remember
most basic theory concepts, and other perspectives are always helpful.
Extra Credit:
You can earn extra credit in this class in two ways: first, performance in any of SFCC’s large ensembles (choir,
band, or orchestra) will earn an additional 0.1 to your final grade. Second, bring in the program (preferred, or ticket
stub) and 1-page typed (single spaced) review of a concert or recital of classical or jazz music and earn 0.1 on your
final grade. Such concerts include the Spokane Symphony, Spokane Opera, and SFCC (you may not count groups
you’re in) or local college ensembles (but not high school groups). Extra credit is limited to a total of 0.5.
Cheating and plagiarism policy:
Any student caught cheating or plagiarizing will receive zero (0) points for the assignment, quiz or exam and may
be referred for further disciplinary action. Cheating involves copying answers or ideas from another student, the
course text, individual notes, the Internet, etc., during the course of an exam, quiz or assignment. Plagiarism
involves using another person’s words or thoughts without giving that individual proper credit. This includes
copying text directly from a book, article, Internet source, or CD-ROM; copying a prior student’s work; working in
pairs or groups and turning in the same material; or failure to cite direct quotations or paraphrased ideas from ANY
source in ANY assignment. Please familiarize yourself with the section on academic dishonesty on page ten (10) of
your Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook .
Channel for Communication Relating to This Course:
Prof. Nathan Lansing (instructor) > Dr. Gerald Krumbholz (department chair) > Dr. Bonnie Brunt (division chair)
It is important to follow this communication channel.  Most concerns can be easily and quickly resolved at the
instructor or department chair level. You may use any of the following methods to communicate with the instructor:
personal face-to-face meeting, phone call/voice mail, email, or a note in the faculty mailbox. Prompt communication
with the instructor will facilitate a productive and positive outcome.

Statement Regarding Reasonable Accommodations:

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 Music Theory I Syllabus – Fall Quarter 2013
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other legal mandates, Spokane Falls Community
College is committed to working with students with disabilities in determining appropriate and reasonable
accommodations for academic and physical needs. If any student has a health condition or disability, which may
require accommodation in order to effectively participate in this class, please do one of the following: 1) contact me
after class, 2) contact Disability Support Services in Building 17, Room 201, or 3) phone 533-4166 (DSS).
Information about a disability or health condition will be regarded as confidential .
In order for learning to take place, students must feel safe; this safety is due all students, not only those who share
your values and beliefs. For this reason, courtesy, thoughtfulness, and acceptance are essential in our discussions
in and out of the classroom. Acceptance should not be confused with agreement; one need not agree with a
person to listen, and one must listen well in order to disagree respectfully. Every student in this course has a voice,
and so deserves the courtesy of attentive listening and the freedom to express diverse ideas.
Some Advice:
Do not hesitate to ask for help with this class! The instructor is available via phone, e-mail, or appointment (just
ask!) to answer questions. Do not wait until it is too late to ask for help!
With regard to sight-singing – don’t be embarrassed to sing out. There is a direct relationship between your ability
to hear and your ability to sing. The more comfortable you become with your own voice, the more sensitive you
become to pitch accuracy, ultimately resulting in a greater ability to hear more sophisticated musical phenomena.

Penultimate Note: A Music Theory student tutor will be available – details to be announced.

Final Note: Exceptions to homework/quiz/exam absences can be made should the circumstances include
scheduled college-related activities or be grave or severe enough – decisions will be made on a case-by-case
basis. Do not test the instructor’s patience or charity in this matter. If you choose to skip class or choose not to turn
in homework or take quizzes/exams, your choice will be reflected in the semester course grade you earn.

Please choose wisely.

Schedule for the first three weeks:

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 Music Theory I Syllabus – Fall Quarter 2013
Date Class Discussion Assignments Sight Singing Due
23-Sep Orientation, Chapter 1 - Elements of Pitch WKBK 1-1, A & B, p 1 - TXT pp 1-5
24-Sep Notation on the Staff Read Txt pp 6-11, Major Scale -Key Signatures 26-Sep
25-Sep Major Scale, Major Key Signatures WKBK 1-2, A B & C, p 3 Solfege #1 27-Sep
26-Sep The Circle of Fifths, more Major Scales WKBK 1-2, D & E, p 4 Solfege #2 28-Sep
27-Sep Music Symbols and Terms, Solfege TXT Self-Test 1-2, pp 10-12 Know #1 & #2 1-Oct

Week 2
QUIZ on pages 1-12: Intro to Minor Scales WKBK 1-3, A & B, p 5
Minor Scales, Minor Circle of Fifths WKBK 1-3, C D & E, p 6 Solfege Minor #1
Scale Degree Names, Intro to Intervals TXT Read Intervals, pp 18-24 Solfege Minor #2
Perfect, Major and Minor Intervals WKBK 1-4, A 1-5, p 7
Major and Minor Intervals WKBK 1-5, B & C, pp 7-8

Week 3
QUIZ on Minor Scales; Discuss Aug & Dim WKBK 1-6, A B & C, pp 9-10 Know Minor #1/#2
Review Chapter 1 Read & Highlight Chapter 2, Elements of Rhythm
Duration Symbols and Meter WKBK 2-1, A, p 11
Simple & Compound Meters WKBK 2-2, A & B, p 13
Counting and TAKADIMI WKBK 2-3, A & B; 2-4, A & B, pp 14-15 Takadimi Sheet

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