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Advanced Theory & Practice
Advanced Theory & Practice
Advanced level music theory. Courses under this general title introduce students to advanced music theoretic and analytical topics focusing on (i) the examination of a particular repertory and the theoretical/analytical tools developed for it (e.g. non-Western, popular, 19th/20th-century chromatic harmony) or (ii) the study and application of compositional styles or techniques (e.g. counterpoint or model composition). The courses build on techniques developed in Theory & Practice I and II.
Advanced Theory & Practice: Chromatic Harmony & Form (MPATC-UE 1331)
Advanced Theory & Practice: Chromatic Harmony & Form (MPATC-UE 1331)
Prerequisite: Theory & Practice II: Tonal Harmony & Voice Leading OR Music Theory II (MPATC-UE 36). Credits: 2.
Semesters Offered: Fall Syllabus: Link to Fall 2024 Syllabus
Course Texts: Adv. Theory: Chromatic Harmony, Theory Anthology, Aural Anthology. (Please note that these sites are only accessible to NYU students and faculty).
Course description:
Hands-on work with the materials of chromatic tonality and an introduction to complex forms. This course builds on composition and analysis skills developed in Theory & Practice II: Tonal Harmony & Voice Leading, and introduces students to advanced techniques in four-part contrapuntal writing, arranging, model composition, and formal analysis in 18th and 19th century common-practice classical music.
Meet your instructor and see what’s in store!
Copy of Chromatic Harmony and Form.movRead what students have to say about the course:
What aspects of the course did you find most valuable?
"How applicable the material was to my musical studies. There happened to be cross over in repertoire that we were doing in classical voice rep classes. Debussy was taught in theory and rep. It just allowed me to have a better understanding of the music while singing it and listening. I also really loved how there was a touch of music history in the mix with learning about the theory." - Student majoring in Vocal Performance
If another student were considering this course, what would you tell them about it?
"It was one of the best theory course offered on the classical track. While the course material is difficult the professor makes it so digestible. I have always struggled with theory and aural and this class helped me immensely and I learned and comprehended far more in this and the 20-21st century courses than I did in theory 1 and 2." - Student majoring in Vocal Performance
In what ways was the course relevant to your musical interests or work?
"There was a decent amount of overlapping. It taught me how to analyze music which was so helpful in learning new pieces and in listening. I noticed it really helped with listening quizzes in the classical voice classes for me." - Student majoring in Vocal Performance
Advanced Theory & Practice: 20th & 21st Century Music (MPATC-UE 1332)
Advanced Theory & Practice: 20th & 21st Century Music (MPATC-UE 1332)
Prerequisite: Theory & Practice II: Tonal Harmony & Voice Leading OR Theory & Practice II: Popular Music OR Music Theory II (MPATC-UE 36). Credits: 2.
Semesters Offered: Spring. Syllabus: Link to Fall 2024 Syllabus
Course Texts: Adv. Theory: 20th & 21st Century Music, Theory Anthology, Aural Anthology. (Please note that these sites are only accessible to NYU students and faculty).
Course description:
Introduction to the materials and organizing principles of 20th and 21st century concert music. Students will engage with a range of analytical methods and compositional techniques applicable to a broad range of repertoire incorporating modes and pitch collections, extended tonality, atonality, contemporary techniques in metric organization, timbre, tuning, melody, and form. The course will culminate in a final paper or presentation analyzing a 20th or 21st century work.
Meet your instructor and see what’s in store!
Copy of Advanced 20th 21st C Music THEORY.movRead what students have to say about the course:
What aspects of the course did you find most valuable?
"Most days it felt like a seminar which was so beneficial. The class was always engaged which helped me to feel comfortable and helped me comprehend more. Paul Frucht really created one of the best theory environments in this program. First time I was ever excited and not unbelievably stressed to go to a theory class." - Student majoring in Vocal Performance
If another student were considering this course, what would you tell them about it?
"Similarly to chromatic theory the course material will not be easy for many people but it is so worth putting in the work. I got introduced to so many more composers and pieces that I still listen to a year later. The environment of the class is also awesome." - Student majoring in Vocal Performance
In what ways was the course relevant to your musical interests or work?
Very relevant! It’s all music we could be performing. Also allowed me to meet a lot of other musicians from across the different majors." - Student majoring in Vocal Performance
Advanced Theory & Practice: Non-Western Music (MPATC-UE 1333)
Advanced Theory & Practice: Non-Western Music (MPATC-UE 1333)
Prerequisite: Theory & Practice I (MPATC-UE 1301) OR Music Theory I (MPATC-UE 35). Credits: 2.
Semesters Offered: Fall. Syllabus: Link to Spring 2024 Syllabus
Course Texts: Adv. Theory: Non-Western Analysis, Theory Anthology, Aural Anthology. (Please note that these sites are only accessible to NYU students and faculty).
Course description:
The study of non-Western theories of music. This course examines topics in pitch, rhythm, and formal structure in selected music from Africa, Latin America, East Asia, India, and the Middle East. Students will acquire a foundational understanding of the transcription and analysis of non-Western art and folk music, as well as a basic introduction to theory and performance practice by guest artists. The course will culminate in a final analysis project.
Meet your instructor and see what’s in store!
NWM Promo CORRECT.MOVRead what students have to say about the course:
What aspects of the course did you find most valuable?
"This course provides exposure to most diverse types of music from all over the world. Such exposure is not just exciting, but is also crucial for any musician to have for the purpose of becoming more well-rounded, and gain more freedom of creativity in the filed of music by understanding different types of possible instruments, sounds, genres, beats, rhythmic patters, ways of tuning, etc. that are out there to experiment with. Its one of those courses that really challenges you to step out of the comfort zone of genres, music, and music cultures you were most exposed to and opens your mind to seeing a much fuller and more colorful picture of the music of the world. One of the coolest parts of the course is that every unit covered music of a certain country/continent/culture/region, and at the end of each unit, we had guest musicians who specialize in that particular type of music come and perform for us, as well as include us into their performances. Thus, we didn't just get to learn about specifics of theory of a certain culture of music, but also hear live what that 'theory sounds like' and how we can apply it to composing/performing music." - Student majoring in Instrumental Performance
If another student were considering this course, what would you tell them about it?
It is a very fun course that is definitely worth taking! Especially if you want to understand music in a much more diverse and complete way, instead of holding on to one or two genres/music cultures/etc that you have been specializing in. And while each unit present some theory aspects/types most of us haven't seen/heard of before, as long as you pay close attention and engage in class exercises (that are very fun), there is nothing terribly hard about the course, and you will feel very satisfied and rewarded knowing that you are fully able to understand the core part of music theory of so many different cultures and genres. Honestly, anyone who is passionate about music and is open-minded to learning about a much more diverse lens through which you can look at music would benefit from the course. Personally, as a musician who has been mostly exposed to strictly classical music and traditional training, this course felt like a breath of fresh air that allowed my creativity to expand. And it also provided me with a much needed inspiration instead of trying to fit my vision of music into a 'box'." - Student majoring in Instrumental Performance
In what ways was the course relevant to your musical interests or work?
"I believe that this course is very relevant to all musicians, and actually fills many gaps that music theory training has had for a while. A lot of musicians are mostly if not only ever exposed to Western/traditional music theory, and are lacking education in the 'music of the world' that really opens so many doors for your creativity within any musical field. It helped me diversify my understanding of music as a whole, but also, more specifically, rhythms, melodies, ways of tuning, genres, and history of how many of these features came to be. This course gifted me a much needed freedom in ways of how I can feel and create through music that has been restricted by a heavily traditional approach to music theory for a while." - Student majoring in Instrumental Performance
Adv. Theory & Practice: Counterpoint in the Digital Age (MPATC-UE 1334)
Adv. Theory & Practice: Counterpoint in the Digital Age (MPATC-UE 1334)
Prerequisite: Theory & Practice I (MPATC-UE 1301) or Music Theory I (MPATC-UE 35). Credits: 2.
Semesters Offered: Fall & Spring. Syllabus: Link to Fall 2024 Syllabus
Course description:
Digital audio workstations (DAW), such as Garage Band, Audacity, and Ableton provide students with a hands-on polyphonic platform for studying and composing contrapuntal music. This course aims to bridge traditions and practices to accommodate students in various specializations and to impart a creative understanding of counterpoint and polyphonic thinking relevant to a broad range of musical repertoire. Working in DAW, students practice contrapuntal techniques and styles using different types of audio material. The course culminates in a final composition project.
Advanced Theory & Practice: Popular Music (MPATC-UE 1335)
Advanced Theory & Practice: Popular Music (MPATC-UE 1335)
Prerequisite: Theory & Practice II: Popular Music (MPATC-UE 1322). Credits: 2.
Semesters Offered: Fall & Spring. Syllabus: Link to Fall 2024 Syllabus
Course Texts: Theory Anthology, Aural Anthology. (Please note that these sites are only accessible to NYU students and faculty).
Course description:
This course builds on material presented in Theory & Practice II: Popular Music. Students explore advanced topics in harmony, rhythmic function, metric dissonance, formal function and ambiguity in song form, tuning practices, vocal and instrumental timbre, texture, recording techniques and sampling, music video analysis, and discussions of identity in popular song. Popular music, defined broadly, includes pop, rock, hip hop, rap, metal, folk, EDM, country, and other genres. Students engage with topics through assigned reading and listening, discussions, and projects.
Advanced Aural Skills
Advanced Aural Skills
Advanced level aural comprehension. Courses under this general title explore advanced topics in sight-reading, music transcription, and critical analytical listening. Course range from topics focused on (i) critical listening and/or sight-reading techniques within a particular style or repertoire (e.g. common-practice chromatic harmony or popular music) to (ii) advanced studies on a particular aural skill in a broad range of repertoire (e.g. advanced sight-singing). Courses build on skills developed in Aural Skills I and II.
Advanced Aural Skills: Chromatic Harmony (MPATC-UE 1341)
Advanced Aural Skills: Chromatic Harmony (MPATC-UE 1341)
Prerequisite: Aural Skills II: Tonal Harmony & Voice Leading (MPATC-UE 1321) OR Aural Comprehension II (MPATC-UE 7). Co-Requisite: Advanced Theory & Practice: Chromatic Harmony & Form OR Music Theory III (MPATC-UE 37).
Credits: 1.
Semesters Offered: Fall. Syllabus: Link to Fall 2024 Syllabus
Course Texts: Adv. Aural: Chromatic Harmony, Theory Anthology, Aural Anthology. (Please note that these sites are only accessible to NYU students and faculty).
Course description:
Advanced techniques of music listening developed through sight-singing, dictation, and aural analysis. Students develop skills for critically listening to, analyzing, and notating four-part chromatic harmony, chromatic melodies, advanced rhythm and meter, and instrumentation in common-practice 18th and 19th century classical repertoire. Course activities are correlated with topics presented in the co-requisite course, Advanced Theory & Practice: Chromatic Harmony & Form.
Meet your instructor and see what’s in store!
Copy of Aural chromatic harmony.movRead what students have to say about the course:
What aspects of the course did you find most valuable?
"I found the frequent nature of hands-on assignments in this course to be extremely valuable, because they initially forced me out of my comfort zone, and then led me to build skills that I didn't even realize I was building. Thanks to singing assignments, I am much more confident in relationships between notes and chords, and I catch myself unintentionally imagining them in my head the moment I see them (instead of having to think about how they function). I also appreciated having to sing and play the piano in front of the class, because I got to practice multitasking with music in a way that I hadn't done before. This course was constantly challenging me, but not in a way that made me feel nervous or worried. Instead, I felt very rewarded by the feeling of growing skills, and I was excited to take the next courses."- Student majoring in Instrumental Performance
"[This course] really really helped me with sight-singing. The weekly exercises were so unbelievably valuable. Really broke down transcriptions and how to aurally dictate which is something that wasn’t done in previous theory classes for me." - Student majoring in Vocal Performance
"I found our weekly performance assignments the most valuable. Not only did it hold me accountable to fully understand all the topics we were covering, but forced me to sharpen my skills on my own and discover what strategies worked for me the best to practice each skill." - Anonymous
If another student were considering this course, what would you tell them about it?
This course is going to push you in a way you probably haven't practiced, but the process will be extremely rewarding. If you allow yourself to take constructive feedback and commit yourself to learning as much as you can, you will finish the course feeling entirely more confident in your understanding of music theory as a whole, and your ability to learn." - Student majoring in Instrumental Performance
"It was the first aural course where I didn’t feel lost. It took me a while to settle and you jump right in but it really strengthened my aural skills. It’s not easy but is so worth taking if you are willing to put in the work." - Student majoring in Vocal Performance
"I would tell this that this class is challenging but worthwhile. You will be held accountable by homework assignments and quizzes that will challenge your skills ways you probably haven’t been in other courses, but by the end you will be a significantly better musician than the start of the semester." - Anonymous
In what ways was the course relevant to your musical interests or work?
"As a performance major, this course was really helpful in allowing me to better understand how music can function. It was also helpful in making me step out of my comfort zone and ask questions that I might usually be scared to ask." - Student majoring in Instrumental Performance
"It made sight reading less stressful and dictations far less stressful. For example I had to sight read in a grad school audition a few weeks ago and it went so smoothly." - Student majoring in Vocal Performance
"It helps a lot with my playing and I’d imagine it’d be great in helping to write as you really learn a lot about how to hear the music in a different way. Personally it helped me to hear intervals and transcribe a lot better." - Anonymous
"This course made me a significantly better sight-singer, which as a vocal performance major is a key skill for me to have. Often as singers we don’t focus as much with reading rhythm and this classed pushed me to become much better at that. Overall, I feel much more prepared to approach new pieces of music I’m given, especially if there’s no recordings to listen to for reference." - Anonymous
Advanced Aural Skills: 20th & 21st Century Music (MPATC-UE 1342)
Advanced Aural Skills: 20th & 21st Century Music (MPATC-UE 1342)
Prerequisite: Aural Skills II (MPATC-UE 1321 or MPATC-UE 1322) OR Aural Comprehension II (MPATC-UE 7). Credits: 1.
Semesters Offered: Spring. Syllabus: Link to Fall 2024 Syllabus
Course Texts: Adv. Aural: 20th & 21st Century Music, Theory Anthology, Aural Anthology. (Please note that these sites are only accessible to NYU students and faculty).
Course description:
Practice in critical listening, sight-reading, transcription, and improvisation with repertoire and techniques related to 20th and 21st-century concert music. Students learn strategies for sight-reading modal, atonal, and polytonal melodies, and working with complex rhythms that incorporate polyrhythm, polymeter, asymmetrical and changing meters, small subdivisions, and metric modulation. Advanced topics include microtonality, phasing, and extended techniques. The course culminates in a final transcription or performance project.
Meet your instructor and see what’s in store!
Copy of Advanced 20th and 21st C AURAL.movRead what students have to say about the course:
What aspects of the course did you find most valuable?
"I found my ear sharpened and become more versatile in ways I wasn't expecting going into the course. My abilities to identify chord types and qualities by ear has proved to be a skill that I gained from this class that I have brought into other aspects of my performance career without even realizing. I also found my understanding of chord functions and predictability has helped in my creative endeavors as an artist, deepening my understanding of melodic structure and harmony." - - Student majoring in Vocal Performance
"The weekly assignments! Breaking down aural dictations as a class was so helpful and the tips for dictation are so unbelievably helpful" - Student majoring in Vocal Performance
"One of the most valuable aspects of the course is the exposure to entirely new ways of looking at harmony and function through analyzing beautiful pieces we all know, as well as many interesting and unusual pieces we hear for the very first time. After a deep dive into understanding the ways we can look at harmony aside from the so-called traditional harmony is truly eye opening, as this skill gives you a new lens through which you can read, listen to, compose, and understand music. In class, we also discussed the history of how music developed over time to become what it was in the 20th century and what it is today, in the 21st century. We considered not simply the music itself, but the historic events which led to changes and development in this field. I find this knowledge to be not just interesting, but very valuable to have, especially as a musician trying to find your voice in a time of fast changes in trends and ways of looking at music. Another valuable aspect was rooted in the final project. We had various options of what we could do for the project, and I chose to do a presentation analyzing a piece of music from the 20th/21st century repertoire using the aforementioned new ways of harmonic and functional analysis. Besides gaining the hands-on experience of actually applying the knowledge received in class to analyze the work of interest, the excitement of understanding and 'getting' many of the composer's choices in works I previously found to be unusual, complex, or difficult to break down was very rewarding. Thus, now not only can I understand the concepts of harmony and function through a much more diverse lens, but I can also confidently talk about the music of the 20th/21st century, as well as how it came to be. P.S. Before taking this course I could only confidently talk about Beethoven and Mozart :)" - Student majoring in Instrumental Performance
If another student were considering this course, what would you tell them about it?
"This course is going to be a challengingly fun experience that you will inevitably grow from. You will gain practical experience as a musician and walk away with applicable skills and abilities that you may not have had in your toolbox prior to taking the course!" - Student majoring in Vocal Performance
"Your aural skills will really grow and it will be so applicable to your studies. I started the courses with Paul not great with aural and by the end of the courses I grew a lot." - Student majoring in Vocal Performance
"This class will stretch your knowledge of aural skills/theory in ways you probably haven’t fathomed before. It can get very complex, but every topic is broken down and explained in a way that feels accessible to everyone, even if you don’t consider yourself someone who is “good” at aural skills. Every assignment were given is possible to complete with practice, time, and dedication to mastering the topics were learning, and the grading scale of the class is extremely fair in allowing the focus of the class to be the process of learning rather than the product." - Anonymous
"This course is going to challenge you in best possible ways and make you a much more well-rounded musician as a result. As long as you keep up with the material and engage with class exercises and discussions, you will come out with a lot of actually applicable knowledge that is going to significantly improve your understanding and interpretation of the 20th and 21st century music (and music in general) and how/why it came to be." - Student majoring in Instrumental Performance
In what ways was the course relevant to your musical interests or work?
As a vocalist, I found that the ear training of Aural skills helped me to understand what is going on overall in a piece and how I function as a vocalist in the structure of the work. I grew to learn how to predict melody and improve my improvisation skills." - Student majoring in Vocal Performance
"All of the sight singing and dictations are so helpful for learning and digesting new music." - Student majoring in Vocal Performance
"This class has helped me immensely with approaching contemporary art song and opera, which can have extremely challenging lines both rhythmically and melodically, and can seem daunting at first. After taking this class I’ve developed a more solid approach to pieces like this, and feel I have to tools to confidently learn these pieces and identify the melodic and rhythmic structures that make them the way they are." - Anonymous
"As an individual mostly, if not only, exposed to traditional harmony, it is very important to step away from that comfort zone, especially in times when music is being looked at through so many different lenses and ways of interpretation. To have the knowledge of the history of how the harmony and function developed over time is crucial to being a well-rounded musician, despite what music genre you are performing/composing in. This course helped me gain new perspectives of looking at harmony and function which as a result provided me with more freedom in creating and performing different types of music." - Student majoring in Instrumental Performance
Advanced Aural Skills: Sight-Singing (MPATC-UE 1343)
Advanced Aural Skills: Sight-Singing (MPATC-UE 1343)
Prerequisite: Aural Skills II (MPATC-UE 1321 or MPATC-UE 1322) OR Aural Comprehension II (MPATC-UE 7). Credits: 1.
Semesters Offered: Fall Syllabus: Link to Fall 2024 Syllabus
Course Texts: Theory Anthology, Aural Anthology. (Please note that these sites are only accessible to NYU students and faculty).
Course description:
Practice in advanced melodic and rhythmic sight-singing. This course builds on skills developed in Aural Skills I and II, emphasizing the performance of melodic, harmonic, and rhythmic material using solfège. Students learn strategies for improvisation, harmonization, and advanced sight reading in a broad range of styles and genres with a focus on jazz standards, musical theater, film music, and popular music
Meet your instructor and see what’s in store!
Promotional video for Advanced Aural - Sight Singing.mp4Read what students have to say about the course:
What aspects of the course did you find most valuable?
"This course gave me the most push and result during my music journey at NYU. It provided the most intense (in the best possible way) ear training, challenging my ability to sing with and without accompanying myself, collaborate on very exciting and challenging projects with peers, improve my ability to write melodic dictations, and really develop and solidify my sense and understanding of rhythm and meter. While seemingly overwhelming at first, this course ended up being the most exciting, engaging, and valuable Aural Skills course I took. By the end of the course, my ability to sing and hear (I don't have anything close to perfect pitch) has developed to the point that I was able to sing a piano part of a big section of Bernstein's Clarinet Sonata as a final project in duet with another classmate of mine. I find this to be very rewarding and valuable." - Student majoring in Instrumental Performance
If another student were considering this course, what would you tell them about it?
Take it! it may seem overwhelming at first, but as long as you just try your best, keep up with the material, engage, and find the most exciting things that could become a beneficial take away for you individually from this course (and I am 100% sure that everyone has a lot to take away from this course), you will have fun, get challenged, and be rewarded with satisfying results. And from personal experience, I can also confidently say that this course provides and incredibly solid foundation for any further theory or aural skills courses you may choose to take, as well as any music projects you may choose to take on. Anyone who wants to be challenged, and get actual noticeable results by the end of the semester, as well as gain ear training skills that will provide a solid foundation for any further music-related path they take. This course focuses on individual progress, not one-size-fits-all grading; therefore, despite on the level you come in with, as long as you are willing to do the work, the course will reward your individual progress and give you valuable skills." - Student majoring in Instrumental Performance
In what ways was the course relevant to your musical interests or work?
"This course is very relevant to almost everything I do, and I believe would be for most musicians. It helped me significantly improve my ear training level, thus allowing for much more freedom when it comes to singing, performing, transcribing, and composing music. It also significantly improved my sense of rhythm and meter which is, as you may imagine, a crucial part of any work in music you may be doing."- Student majoring in Instrumental Performance
Advanced Aural Skills: Popular Music Transcription (MPATC-UE 1344)
Advanced Aural Skills: Popular Music Transcription (MPATC-UE 1344)
Prerequisite: Aural Skills II (MPATC-UE 1321 or MPATC-UE 1322) OR Aural Comprehension II (MPATC-UE 7). Credits: 1.
Semesters Offered: Spring. Syllabus: Link to Fall 2024 Syllabus
Course Texts: Adv. Aural: Popular Music Transcription, Theory Anthology, Aural Anthology. (Please note that these sites are only accessible to NYU students and faculty).
Course description:
Practice in the critical listening and transcription of popular music. Advanced topics in instrumentation, sound production, rhythm and meter, and harmonic chord schemas. Students learn techniques for transcribing richly layered-material in popular music, including contemporary technologies and industry-standard notational practices. Defined broadly, “popular music” includes pop, rock, hip hop, R&B, blues, rap, disco, indie, metal, jazz, folk, and musical theater and film repertoire. The course will culminate in large transcription & production projects.
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