Module Details

Module Code: MUSC6022
Title: Contextual Harmony 1
Long Title: Contextual Harmony 1
NFQ Level: Fundamental
Valid From: Semester 1 - 2023/24 ( September 2023 )
Duration: 1 Semester
Credits: 5
Field of Study: 2121 - Music & Performing Arts
Module Delivered in: 1 programme(s)
Module Description: This module provides a foundation in basic harmonic and notational skills encountered in popular music and an overview of popular music history. Notational skills will include clefs, pitches, rhythmic values etc. Harmonically, the module focuses on the enharmonic expression of chords, i.e. chord symbols and their application. The history lectures in the module contextualise the skills learning and focus on providing a broad overview of the last one hundred years of popular music history.
 
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Learning Outcome Description
LO1 Demonstrate a knowledge and application of the rudiments of music
LO2 Analyse simple pieces of music into their constituent harmonic elements
LO3 Identify basic chords and reproduce them enharmonically
LO4 Recognise and describe the stylistic features of music from different genres and decades of the 20th century
LO5 Locate key figures, works and genres in the music and culture of the period
Dependencies
Module Recommendations

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is strongly recommended before enrolment in this module. You may enrol in this module if you have not acquired the recommended learning but you will have considerable difficulty in passing (i.e. achieving the learning outcomes of) the module. While the prior learning is expressed as named MTU module(s) it also allows for learning (in another module or modules) which is equivalent to the learning specified in the named module(s).
Incompatible Modules
These are modules which have learning outcomes that are too similar to the learning outcomes of this module. You may not earn additional credit for the same learning and therefore you may not enrol in this module if you have successfully completed any modules in the incompatible list.
No incompatible modules listed
Co-requisite Modules
No Co-requisite modules listed
Requirements

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is mandatory before enrolment in this module is allowed. You may not enrol on this module if you have not acquired the learning specified in this section.
No requirements listed
 
Indicative Content
Notation
An introduction to basic notational devices, such as clefs and the stave, pitches on the stave and how to write different rhythmic note values.
Harmony
An introduction to basic chords (such as triads), the symbols used to denote these chords and their application
Popular Music History
An overview of fundamental popular music history of the last one hundred years
Genre and stylistic awareness
Recognize and identify key stylistic devices commonly found in the popular music of the period(s)
Continuous assessment
Each individual student is monitored on a weekly basis. The mark is comprised of participation and preparedness.
Module Content & Assessment
Assessment Breakdown%
Coursework50.00%
End of Module Formal Examination50.00%

Assessments

Coursework
Assessment Type Practical/Skills Evaluation % of Total Mark 20
Timing Every Week Learning Outcomes 1,2,3
Assessment Description
Continuous assessment of harmony and notational skills, as outlined in the indicative content
Assessment Type Other % of Total Mark 30
Timing Every Week Learning Outcomes 4,5
Assessment Description
Continuous assessment of history as detailed in the indicative content
End of Module Formal Examination
Assessment Type Formal Exam % of Total Mark 50
Timing End-of-Semester Learning Outcomes 1,2,3
Assessment Description
End-of-Semester Final Examination
Reassessment Requirement
Repeat examination
Reassessment of this module will consist of a repeat examination. It is possible that there will also be a requirement to be reassessed in a coursework element.

The University reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Workload: Full Time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact Harmony and notational skills lecture Every Week 1.00 1
Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact) Non Contact No Description Every Week 4.00 4
Tutorial Contact Harmony tutorial Every Second Week 0.50 1
Lecture Contact History lecture Every Week 1.00 1
Tutorial Contact History Tutorial Every Second Week 0.50 1
Total Hours 8.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload 7.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 3.00
This module has no Part Time workload.
 
Module Resources
Recommended Book Resources
  • Glenn Appell, David Hemphill. (2006), American popular music, Thomson/Wadsworth, Belmont, CA, [ISBN: 9780155062298].
  • Mark Levine. (1995), The Jazz Theory Book, 1, Sher Music, [ISBN: 9781883217044].
  • Paul Schmeling. (2011), Berklee Music Theory Book 2: Fundamentals of Harmony, 2nd. Berklee Press Publications, [ISBN: 9780876391105].
Supplementary Book Resources
  • Elizabeth West Marvin. (2010), The Musician's Guide to Theory and Analysis, 2nd. W.W. Norton & Company, [ISBN: 9780393442427].
  • Julia Winterson, Peter Nickol, Toby Bricheno, Ben Kaye, Jessica Winterson. (2013), Pop Music: The Textbook, Revised. Peters Edition Ltd., [ISBN: 9781843670391].
This module does not have any article/paper resources
This module does not have any other resources
 
Module Delivered in
Programme Code Programme Semester Delivery
CR_GPOPM_8 Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Popular Music 1 Mandatory