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Unit of Study MUS00621 - Contemporary Music Theory II (2017)

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Unit Snapshot

  • Enrolment information

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Unit description

Extends the theory concepts presented in MUS00620 - Contemporary Music Theory I, focuses on harmonic relationships, extended chords and voicings and groove construction; and applies these theoretical concepts to composition and performance in a variety of contemporary music styles.

Unit content

  • Four- and five-note chords built from the major scale
  • Chords built from ‘church’ modes and minor scales
  • Basic chord voicing and voice-leading principles
  • The concepts of plurality and diatonic chord substitution
  • Secondary dominant and diminished chords
  • Tritone substitution
  • Analysing key areas
  • Common drum and bass patterns
  • Rhythmic counterpoint and the creation of contemporary grooves
  • Advanced scales and their application for improvisation
  • Quartal (fourth-based) harmony
  • Two- and three-part sectional writing

Availabilities

Location Domestic International
Lismore Session 1 Session 1

Learning outcomes and graduate attributes

Unit Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a unit. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes. The unit learning outcomes and graduate attributes are also the basis of evaluating prior learning.

On completion of this unit, students should be able to:

GA1: Intellectual rigour, GA2: Creativity, GA3: Ethical practice, GA4: Knowledge of a discipline, GA5: Lifelong learning, GA6: Communication and social skills, GA7: Cultural competence
Learning outcome count Learning outcome description GA1 GA2 GA3 GA4 GA5 GA6 GA7
1 demonstrate an advanced understanding of chord construction, chord progressions and harmonic relationships
2 demonstrate basic competence in the areas of voicing, voice-leading and sectional writing
3 demonstrate an understanding of ensemble 'grooves' and contemporary rhythmic techniques
4 relate theory concepts to a range of contemporary music styles
5 employ correct musical notation

On completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. demonstrate an advanced understanding of chord construction, chord progressions and harmonic relationships
    • GA1:
  2. demonstrate basic competence in the areas of voicing, voice-leading and sectional writing
    • GA2:
  3. demonstrate an understanding of ensemble 'grooves' and contemporary rhythmic techniques
    • GA2:
  4. relate theory concepts to a range of contemporary music styles
    • GA1:
    • GA4:
  5. employ correct musical notation
    • GA4:

Prescribed learning resources

Prescribed Texts
  • No prescribed texts.

Prescribed Learning Resources may change in future Teaching Periods.