Catalog Description: A course for the music consumer with an interest in the presentation of the fundamentals of music as they affect music performance, music listening and music understanding.

Purpose: This course will provide the introductory theoretical background needed for the music consumer to actively participate in a variety of musical experiences. Active and passive participation in music is made more meaningful when the underlying basic theory of the music is evident.

Course Objectives: Music 109 will present the fundamental elements of music. The student will gain a practical familiarity with the fundamental musical elements through readings presented on the internet.

Content Outline: Topics to be addressed include, but are not limited to, notation and note names, key signatures, meters, rhythm, scale structures, tertian chord structures, basic musical terminology, and so forth. On the internet they are arranged in the following order (the classroom text is very similar):

Chapter 1: Musical Symbols

Chapter 2: Note and Rest Values;

Chapter 3: Rhythm;

Chapter 4: Meter Signatures;

Chapter 5: Intervals;

Chapter 6: Modes;

Chapter 7: Major Scales;

Chapter 8: Minor Scales;

Chapter 9: Key Signatures;

Chapter 10: Triads

Instructional Activities: The student should be prepared to work through pertinent problems as they are presented on the computer. About three to four hours of computer time per chapter is expected from the web section of this course. Additional time may be necessary if the student is in need of help from the instructor..

Field, Clinical, and/or Laboratory Experiences: The student will be advised of additional resources that can be purchased or ordered at a local bookstore. No other laboratory experiences are required.

Resources: Resources will include the use of excerpts from the literature and other materials which will be made available.

Grading Procedures: Grades will be based on four major exams and a final exam.

Attendance Policy: No attendance policy is in effect. The student may work at his or her own pace. The course MUST be completed successfully in the same academic semester that it is begun if a grade is to be issued. In rare instances an "I" (incomplete) may be issued if the tests are not completed in the required time period. Refer to the Attendance Policy in the MSU undergraduate Bulletin.

Academic Honesty: Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated. Refer to the Academic Honesty Policy in the MSU Undergraduate Bulletin.

Text and References: Basic Materials in Music Theory by Harder and Steinke (Not Required)

Prerequisites: none

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