Tyler Burba, instructor
tburba@schools.nyc.gov
The purpose of this course is to enable you to understand music on a deeper level and beyond the music that is familiar. We will begin by learning how music works, starting at the foundational level, and work outwards toward the stylistic differences that mark different genres, time periods, and cultural expressions. The key to getting the most out of this class is keeping an open mind and remaining curious. While we learn about the music of others, we will make music ourselves, applying the techniques we have learned.
Unit I: Foundation of Music
Pulse/Tempo/BPMs
Time Signatures and Rhythm
Instrumentation/Texture
Harmony and Chords
Scales and Melody
Unit II: Structure
Verses
Choruses
Bridges
Pre-Choruses
Transposition
Introductions
Looping
Quantization
Song Organization
Unit III: Genres of American Music
Blues
Folk
Jazz
Soul
Rock 'n' Roll
Rap / Hip Hop
Unit IV: History of Western Music
Ancient
Medieval (Monophonic)
Renaissance (Polyphony)
Baroque
Classical
Romantic
20th Century
Unit V: World Music
Music of Asia
Music of Africa
Music of Latin America
Music of Native People
Regular Tests on material covered in class. There will be review sheets available on this website.
Audio Production assignments, assigned through Soundtrap or Google Forms.
Classwork on various content and skills.
Discussion questions.
Class presentations given on an artist, a song, or a World Music genre.
Unit Tests
Final Song Projects through Soundtrap
“Genealogy of Influence” Music History Website
Podcast on Cultural Background and Music
You have until the deadline to receive full credit for an assignment. After the due date you have 7 calendar days to complete the work but will lose 10% off the grade for lateness. After those 7 days, you will receive a 55% for your grade.
You can redo any assignment as long as you turn it before the deadline or 7 day grace period.
If you cannot complete the work on time because of a special circumstance, please email me at tburba@schools.nyc.gov or speak directly to me about the issue in class or after class.
20% Exams
30% Projects
30% Classwork / Soundtrap Assignments
20% Participation in Discussions / Responses
Extra Credit
You can earn extra participation points by
Sharing responses to the “Do Now” (5 points)
Asking the person who shared a question about their response or their argument (5 points)
Sharing responses to mid-lesson questions (5 points)
Asking a clarification question about the lesson (5 points)
These points will be added to your points for the “Do Now”
You can earn extra points for being a computer cart monitor
Check in and check out computers for students
Organizing the computer carts
Wrapping headphones
These points are added to your final grade for the semester (5 points)
Ways to lose points:
-10 for being late without a pass
-10 for sitting in the wrong seat
-10 for using a cell phone in class without permission.
-10 for talking out of turn.
-20 for copying answers.
-20 for answering questions without watching the videos.
Every class, you receive a 100% for participation if you arrive on time, write at least 4 sentences for the "Do Now," participate in class discussions with your partner(s), and don't violate the class norms listed above under "Ways to lose points." If you are absent, you automatically receive a 55 for participation for that day. You need to find the participation grade for the class you missed (the Do Now assignment) and add a comment with a doctor's or parents note. Once I have the note, I'll change your grade to 100.
All electronic devices (phones, smart watches, earbuds) must be stored in a locked YONDR pouch
You are responsible for the YONDR pouch and will be fined if it is lost or damaged
All phones and devices must be turned off or set to airplane mode
If you forget your pouch, speak to an administrator or dean.
If you need to call a parent or guardian, you can do so from the following offices: Guidance, Dean’s, Administrator, or Nurse
You must get a pass from your teacher to make these calls
Memorize your parents’ number (s)
If your parent/guardians need to reach you they should call the school at (212) 780-9175
Tell your parents the name of your guidance counselor
If you are caught with a cell phone, the following will occur with each infraction:
First: Politely remind you to put your devices in the pouch
Second: phone call home
Third: Device confiscated for the day and held by the Dean
Fourth: Device confiscated for the day / after-school detention
Fifth: Longer confiscation (week), loss of privileges or suspension
Students are to attend online classes on time and stay for the duration of the class. Attendance will be taken and will affect participation grades.
Always be respectful and courteous to other students and teachers during Google Meets. Inappropriate, offensive or threatening comments; misrepresentation of identity, and/or disruptive behavior by any participants during Google Meet sessions will not be tolerated.
Students must use their @nycstudents.net email address and password to login in to Google Classroom and attend Google Meet classes.
Your microphone should always be muted except when called upon. Please raise your virtual hand if you have a question or comment or type it in the chat window.
Do not use the chat space to have personal or distracting conversations. You can, however, post questions you have there. If you violate this rule, participation points will be deducted from your daily grade.
Login credentials must not be shared. Sharing of login information violates other students’ and teachers’ rights to confidentiality, and could allow class participation by unauthorized persons and/or lead to disruptive behaviors that detract from a productive and positive learning environment.
Students who are disruptive and/or “trespass” Google Meet sessions will receive appropriate consequences in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct.
Do not video record, audio record, photograph, live stream, or transmit in any other way any part of a Google Meet, including not posting on any social media platform.