Global Music Theory & Musicianship

Thank you for your interest in Music 20A!

Course Description

Fundamentals of sound production and notation in music. Emphasis on the development of the ear and rhythmic skills. Course involves significant participation through performance.

Music 20A Goals

Music 20A is a non-specialist fundamental theory course that introduces musical constructs that occur in various musical systems. The goals of this course are to

1.  provide students with a foundation in music theories that will be applicable in all music major and minor tracks 

2. introduce students to the concepts and tools on which they can build in both/either Music 14 (Beginning Western Theory & Musicianship) and Music 16 (Theoretical Foundations of Music)

3. help students establish positive and effective practice strategies that will serve them in all areas of skill acquisition. 

Learning Outcomes

Students will be able to

• describe basic concepts in the physics of sound and sound production

• aurally identify, describe, and apply theoretical elements in musics from various regions and cultural groups

• aurally identify common meters and textures

• identify and write pitches in staff notation in treble and bass clefs

• identify pitches, whole tones, and semitones on the keyboard

• sing easy, diatonic melodies from staff notations on pitch names and scale degrees (or solfège)

• execute rhythms in 2/4, 3/4, 4/4, 6/8, and 9/8 by clapping and counting them

• identify and construct major and minor triads

• perform 5-finger melodies on the keyboard while singing pitch names and counting the rhythm

This course supports two Music Department program learning outcomes. Students will actively 1) engage in critical thinking about musical language and 2) work toward proficiency in performing and creating music.

Online Course Format

• You will complete most of your work asynchronously in Canvas (i.e. students will engage with the material at their own pace, meeting weekly deadlines). Music 20A's asynchronous content includes

  1. 1. • • interactive video lectures 

          • readings

          • theoretical exercises 

          • ear training exercises 

          • preparation and recorded submission of rhythms, melodies, and other practical exercises

Student Time Commitment

1. Students are expected to spend  15 hours per week on coursework—approximately 9 hours engaging with lectures, listening examples, and readings; 3.5 hours practicing lab assignments, 1.5 hours recording lab submissions, and 1 hours of office hours. (Double these numbers for the 5-week Summer Session course.)

2. You will not pass this class without consistent practice throughout the week, every week. Musicianship, ear training, and playing the keyboard are skills that develop with consistent work over time—they cannot be crammed!

Required materials

All text material is provided in Canvas. Students will need access to a piano or keyboard by Week 6 during the academic year and Week 3 during Summer Session. Students on campus have access to the Music Department practice rooms. More information will be provided in the orientation module of the course.

Yearly Schedule

Music 20A is generally offered in the Fall Quarter and Summer Session 1. Please see the portal for the next available offering.