Theory and Analysis 1 (pop/jazz) (6cr)

Objective

The students know how to read and understand written music. They are able to comprehend chordal harmonic function and, if need be, to expand chords according to style in the context of popular music and jazz.
They understand the melody's relationship to the underlying harmony, and know how to mark it in analysis.

The students understand harmonic variation and the basic principles of tonal improvisation and acquire skills in the practical application of theoretical knowledge to improvisation. They understand also the development of tonal thinking in Western Music.

They command the generally known chordal symbols, understand the meaning of analysis in musical interpretation,accompanying and improvisation, and acquire conceptual readiness for arranging and composition studies.

The Students are able to evaluate the content of course in a critically constructive way. They are also able to evaluate own skills and the development of those.

Content

THEORY
elements of music theory:
intervals, consonant and dissonance
tonality and circle of fifths, chords and realization marks, chordal functions and scale degree marks, basic scales and major modes

HARMONY AND MUSICAL ANALYSIS
Major-minor tonality:
major chord degrees and chord scales
dominant and subdominant in major
slash-chords in popular music
diminished chords
modal borrowed chords
exception in tonality and modulation
dominant and subdominant in minor
cadences
chromaticism in tonal harmony

VARIATION AND IMPROVISATION
Renewed harmonization:
tonic and subdominant chord replacment
diatonic renewed harmonization
added dominants and subdominants
dominant replacement:
tritone replacement
chord nuance changing: optional scale degrees

Qualifications

-

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

Approved (S)
The students know how to read music fluently, to recognize the normally used music terminology and the common practices of musical notation. They understand the following principles of the Major-Minor system:
formation of chords
harmonic and melodic analysis
chord expansion and chord scales
harmonic variation
tonal improvisation

The studens are able to obtain, handle and evaluate their acquired knowledge critically. They assume responsibility of their own and the group's learning and follows given directions.

Failed (0):
The students don't meet the minimum requirements for approval.