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Lismore Session 1 Session 1

Unit Summary

Unit type

UG Coursework Unit

Credit points

12

AQF level

7

Level of learning

Intermediate

Former School/College

Former School of Arts and Social Sciences

Pre-requisites

MUS00620 - Contemporary Music Theory I

Unit aim

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

Learning outcomes

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.

GA1: , GA2: , GA3: , GA4: , GA5: , GA6: , GA7:
On completion of this unit, students should be able to: 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 texts

  • No prescribed texts.
Prescribed texts may change in future teaching periods.