Apply through UCAS
- UCAS course code
- WW34
- UCAS institution code
- M20
Course unit details:
Harmony and Counterpoint
Unit code | MUSC20112 |
---|---|
Credit rating | 10 |
Unit level | Level 2 |
Teaching period(s) | Semester 2 |
Available as a free choice unit? | Yes |
Overview
Students will learn the principles of harmony and counterpoint to an advanced level, through writing short fughettas in the late Baroque style, and harmonising songs in the style of Schubert and Schumann, with the aid of both practical observation and study of theoretical principles.
Pre/co-requisites
Unit title | Unit code | Requirement type | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Techniques of Tonal Harmony | MUSC10112 | Pre-Requisite | Compulsory |
MUSC10112 is a pre req of MUSC20111 Harmony & Counterpoint
Aims
- To ensure a familiarity with, and understanding of, some fundamental idioms of Western musical language
- To gain fluency in manipulating notes within a given style
- To develop the ear
- To develop good practice in musical notation and calligraphy
- To gain in-depth knowledge of some major works and the principles on which they are constructed
Teaching and learning methods
Weekly tutorials, at which students have exercises corrected by the tutor and the underlying principles explained to them. Each student receives individual attention each week except in the two weeks when there are lectures.
Knowledge and understanding
- Understand the basic principles of harmony and counterpoint in the common-practice Western tradition, to an advanced level
- Recognise some songs by Schubert and Schumann and fugues from Bach’s Das wohltemperirte Clavier, and the principles on which they are constructed
Intellectual skills
- Manipulate notes on paper, and recognise any faulty harmony and part-writing in the tonal idiom
- Relate sounds to notation more effectively
Practical skills
- Harmonise melodies from the core Western Classical tradition
- Write fluent counterpoint, exhibiting skill in part-writing and imitation
- Create soundly constructed music within the tonal idiom, combining their knowledge of harmonic and contrapuntal principles
Transferable skills and personal qualities
- Think more clearly and logically, especially in relation to any concepts involving both numerical and linguistic competence
- Possess greater skills at problem solving and creative thinking
- Challenge received wisdom more effectively.
Employability skills
- Other
- Make more informed interpretative decisions when performing Apply general principles from this course (where applicable) to composition Write about music in a more informed way A good knowledge of these skills is valuable for teaching, whether in schools (especially A-level), or teaching instruments / voice and guiding pupils through theory exams
Assessment methods
Portfolio of fughettas | 50% |
Exam | 50% |
Feedback methods
- Weekly oral and written feedback on their exercises
- Additional one-to-one feedback if required (during the consultation hour or by making an appointment)
Recommended reading
- Bach, Das wohltemperirte Clavier (48 Preludes and Fugues), Book 1
- Schubert, any volume of his Lieder
- Schumann, any volume of his Lieder
These items are readily accessible on the IMSLP website and can be downloaded and printed off from it
Study hours
Scheduled activity hours | |
---|---|
Lectures | 2 |
Tutorials | 9 |
Independent study hours | |
---|---|
Independent study | 89 |
Teaching staff
Staff member | Role |
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Barry Cooper | Unit coordinator |