Curricula

Objectives

After completing the course, you are able to read and understand written music by mastering commonly known practices of chord symbol notation. You are able to outline the harmonic functions of the chords, and if necessary, extend the chords in a stylistically appropriate manner in the contexts of popular music and tonal jazz music. You understand the relationship of melody to the prevailing harmony, and are able to take the melody into account as you accompany yourself and/or others.

You understand the basic principles of harmonic variation and tonal improvisation. You build the skills to apply theoretical knowledge related to improvisation in practice. You have an idea of the development of tonal thinking in Western music.

You understand the importance of analysis in the interpretation, accompaniment and improvisation of music. You gain conceptual skills for the study of arranging and composing.

You are able to evaluate the contents of the course constructively. You are also able to evaluate your own competence and its development.

Content

MUSIC THEORY

Basics of music theory
- chords: chord voicings and chord symbols
- chord functions and functional analysis

HARMONY AND MUSIC ANALYSIS

Tonality: major and minor
- chord degrees and chord scales in major
- dominants and subdominants in major
- cadences
- diminished chords
- slash chords in popular music
- modal interchange
- key areas and modulations
- chord degrees in compound minor
- dominants and subdominants in minor
- chromaticism in tonal harmony

VARIATION AND IMPROVISATION

reharmonization
- replacing tonic and subdominant chords: diatonic reharmonization
- adding dominants and subdominants
- replacing dominants: tritone substitution
- changing the color of the chord: alternative chord scales

Learning materials and recommended literature

The study material is self-study material with learning assignments distributed during the course, as well as other material that can be accessed online. All the material used during the course is in electronic format.

Teaching methods

During the course, you participate in contact and/or distance learning and carry out individual learning assignments on a regular basis. You will also get acquainted with the electronic study material distributed during the course.

Exam dates and retake possibilities

The final examination of the course is usually held during the last contact. After this, an attempt will be made to arrange one renewal opportunity.

Student workload

Contact and/or distance learning and final examination: 45 h
Independent work (familiarization with the study material and performance of learning assignments): 90 h

Total: 135 h

Further information for students

Self-assessment and continuous feedback are used as evaluation methods. The written final examination of the course will be assessed separately and 50% of the maximum points will be required for its approved completion.

Evaluation scale

Pass/Fail

Evaluation criteria, pass/failed

Pass (S):
You are able to read music fluently. You recognize commonly used musical terms as well as notation practices. You are able to demonstrate that you understand the following basic principles of the melodic–harmonic aspects of tonal music:
- forming chords based on chord symbols
- harmony and melody analysis
- chord extensions and chord scales
- variation of harmony
- tonal improvisation

You are also able to evaluate your own competence and its development. You know how to acquire information and how to critically process and evaluate the information you have acquired. You take responsibility for your own and the group's learning.