Musicianship: Music Theory I

Course # MUS101 Term Fall 2020 (online) Credit Hours 3

Instructor name and contact info

Name: Dr. Matascik Email: [email protected]
Title: Associate Professor of Music Theory and Office Hours: (online only Fall 2020)
Composition
Virtual Office Hours: ZOOM
Office Information: Clayton A307 (Online only Fall
20) https://maryvillecollege.zoom.us/j/95672433742
Phone: office phone (865) 981-8157 or text and call MW 2-3 pm
my cell phone at (865) 567-0495
T, TH 3-4 pm
Communication: Students are encouraged to contact me anytime via email or phone. A response will be
given within 36-48 hours except on weekends.

Course Description
Study of the basic elements and vocabulary of music, from pitch and rhythm to non-chord tones and second
inversion chords. Practices for accuracy and fluency in use of materials in musical contexts. Includes analysis
and composition. Prerequisite: placement during the audition process. May be taken a maximum of three times.

Major Curriculum Goals

You will explore all the basic elements of music this semester, which will be sort of like learning a new kind of
alphabet that you will use every time you make music or deal in any way with music-making.

At first, you will need to spend some time memorizing the information we study. After that, we will work on
acquiring fluency with the material. Just as when you first learned how to read, it will take much effort on your
part until the material becomes more familiar. With practice, it will become easier, until it becomes so easy that
you will barely think about it at all, the way you’re reading this right now without thinking about how you’re
doing it! These musicianship materials must be learned fluently in order for them to be useful tools for you as a
musician.

First, we will focus on pitch, rhythm, timbre, and dynamics, and we will learn how to notate them on
manuscript paper. Intervals, scales, and triads-labels that describe aspects of music—will be next. Finally, we
will do some composing, applying what we learn during the semester. Your text, workbook, handouts,
worksheets, and computer-assisted instruction will all help you realize these course goals.

This is the first course in a 4-semester sequence of music theory for music majors.
Student Learning Outcomes
By the end of this semester of music theory study, students are expected to be proficient in the following areas:
 Can read music in both treble and bass clefs at a functional pace
 Can write and analyze intervals
 Can identify and write major and minor scales
 Can identify and write triads in root position, first inversion, and second inversion
 Can identify chord tones and non-chord tones
 Can recognize and realize lead sheet symbols and figured bass symbols

For Licensure students (BM in music education degrees), in addition to the above:

Candidates understand the language and grammar of music, common elements of music (rhythm, melody,
harmony, expressive qualities, form and style) and their interaction and infuse this understanding in their
teaching.

NACE Career Readiness competencies addressed

_____Teamwork/Collaboration __x___Professionalism/Work Ethic
_____Oral/Written Communication __x___Digital Technology
__x___Critical Thinking/Problem Solving _____Global/Intercultural Fluency
___x__Career Management _____Leadership

Material Requirements for the course:

1.) Materials: Headphones, computer with microphone capabilities and a reliable internet connection using
Firefox, Chrome, or Safari web browser.

2.) Textbook: Turek, Ralph and Daniel McCarthy Theory for Today’s Musician Third Edition text AND
workbook PAPER COPIES REQUIRED. (DO NOT buy the ebooks.) ISBN# 978-0-8153-7173-1
3.) Pens, Pencils and erasers. Use pencil on manuscript paper, please!
Materials are available in the campus bookstore.
PLEASE BOOKMARK THESE SITES FOR THIS CLASS
Course Website: https://mctartan.com/ Go to COURSES. Choose Musicianship: Music Theory I
Textbook Website: www.routledge.com/cw/turek

Instructional Methods
Lectures on Zoom will be used to cover new material, which may contain class polls, in-class concept check quizzes, etc.
Short videos posted to Tartan (5 min or less each) will supplement with explanations of key concepts when needed. Most
assignments will have a “how to” video (5 min or less each) that demonstrates completion of the problems in the
homework assignment to help get you started on each assignment.

Evaluation Criteria
Exams for Modules 1, 2, and 3 = 45% of the final grade. (Exam 3 is also the ‘final exam’ for the course.)
Homework, including discussion boards when appropriate = 45% of the final grade.
Quickie Quizzes/Concept Checks = 10% of the final grade.
Mon Nov 30th 9-11AM is the scheduled final exam period for this course.

Grading scale for this course:

A+ 97-100
A 94-96
A- 90-93
B+ 87-89
B 84-86
B- 80-83
C+ 77-89
C 74-76
C- 70-73
D+ 67-69
D 64-66
D- 60-63
F 0-59

 Course Policies
1. Logistics Changes to the syllabus, due dates, course requirements or grading requirements will be made as far in
advance as possible. Due dates will be clearly marked in Tartan. All assignments will be submitted via Tartan as a
.gif, .jpg or .pdf file photo/photocopy of your work.

2. Course Communication Email and Tartan are the primary means of course communication. It is your
responsibility to check both frequently and to follow the MC Computer Use Policy.
3. Make-Ups missing a quiz, exam or assignment due date can impact your final course grade. All assignments are
due on the dates listed on Tartan. If you miss a due date, please turn it in as soon as possible, knowing that one
week is the normal cutoff for grade credit. Exceptions are made in exceptional circumstances. In general, late
assignments are ineligible for a grade in the A category (90-100), unless extenuating circumstances exist. Email
the professor to discuss your situation if you must submit any assignment late.
4. Attendance Policy for this Online Course
Each week, students are required to log into the Tartan and review the course materials. Submission of the week’s
assignments will count as “attendance” for that week. Accumulating 3 or more unexcused absences will
negatively impact the student’s participation grade for the course.
Excused absences require documentation and are described in the Student Handbook, Section IX “Academic
Matters.”
COVID-19 absences:  Students are encouraged to self-quarantine and get tested if they believe they have been
exposed to COVID-19. In order to minimize unnecessary trips to the doctor, students who are instructed to self-
isolate by a healthcare provider will not be required to provide that documentation to the instructor but should
report their situation to the COVID Case Management group at [email protected]. All students are
encouraged to communicate regularly with their instructors regarding absences, particularly extended absences.

 Social/ physical distancing of 6 ft. is required in all areas.

 Cloth face coverings are required for everyone at all times on campus.
 Wearing a mask does not negate the need for social/physical distancing. Likewise, social/physical distancing
does not negate the need for a mask.
 If you have questions or concerns, ask your instructor for guidance.
 COVID-19 absences:  Students are encouraged to self-quarantine and get tested if they believe they have been
exposed to COVID-19. In order to minimize unnecessary trips to the doctor, students who are instructed to self-
isolate by a healthcare provider will not be required to provide that documentation to the instructor but should
report their situation to the COVID Case Management group at [email protected]. All students are
encouraged to communicate regularly with their instructors regarding absences, particularly extended absences.

5. Academic Integrity Definitions and explanations regarding academic dishonesty, as well as how violations are
handled can be found in the MC Student Handbook: IX. Academic Matters.

6. Disability Services Students with a disability receiving academic accommodations or any student who believes
they will require academic accommodations should contact the Academic Support Center within the first two
weeks of classes to arrange reasonable accommodations. Maryville College reserves the right for the final
determination of “reasonable accommodations.”  Contact: Kim Ochsenbein: at
[email protected] or (865) 981-8124 or in her office, Thaw Hall, Room 111.

7. Classroom Climate Policy This class will use these rules of netiquette, Please click to read carefully.)
Maryville College is a community of learners. Our shared values, as expressed in documents like the Mission
Statement, the Statement of Purpose, the Educational Goals, the Faith and Learning Statement, the Maryville
College Covenant, and the Vision for Diversity all affirm the college’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.
In our classrooms, as well as all spaces on campus (including virtual ones), we live out this commitment;
therefore, we all have a responsibility to create a welcoming and respectful environment, free of oppression,
prejudice, and mistreatment. Dimensions of diversity can include sex, race, age, national origin, ethnicity, gender
identity and expression, intellectual and physical ability, sexual orientation, income, faith and non-faith
perspectives, socio-economic class, political ideology, education, primary language, family status, military
experience, cognitive style, and communication style. The individual intersection of these experiences and
characteristics must be valued in our community.
We commit to:

1. Holding respectful conversations. Respectful discussion and debate are the heart of the academic enterprise.
Advocating civility does not symbolize a retreat from passionate argument but rather acknowledges that
meaningful and constructive dialogue requires mutual respect, willingness to listen, and tolerance for
opposing points of view. Classes that establish norms for respectful dialogue and reasoned debate can
empower students to argue constructively and convincingly, encourage students’ intellectual growth through
the rigorous exchange of ideas, and prepare students for life in a complex, pluralistic world.

2. Refraining from any form of harassment. Racist, sexist, homophobic, and/or threatening comments and
behaviors will not be tolerated. Such behaviors are a violation of the MC Covenant and MC’s harassment
policy— and a violation of decent human behavior. Students who fail to adhere to the above standards may be
subject to disciplinary action. If you encounter a problem with civility/respect, please do not hesitate to come
forward and talk to me about it.

3. Using preferred names and gender pronouns. [Note: Class rosters are provided to the instructor with the
student's legal name. I will gladly honor your request to address you by an alternate name or gender pronoun.
Please advise me of this preference early in the semester so that I may make appropriate changes to my
records.]
 Course Schedule and Exam Dates
Musicianship: Music Theory I Fall 2020
Note: This class has a written practice assignment due each class day, M,W, and F all semester. All assignments are listed
on Tartan under the Modules/Assignments tab. Go to the module we are studying to find the assignments.

Module and Dates Material Exam Date

Module ONE Appendix A- Pitch

8.19 – 9.25
Appendix B- Rhythm and Meter
9.25
Chapter 1- staves, clefs, history,
solmization

Module TWO Chapter 2 – intervals

9.28 – 10.30
Chapter 3 – triads and 7th chords
10.30

Module THREE Chapter 4 – Musical Shorthand: Lead

11.2 – 11.23 Sheet Symbols and Figured Bass

Chapter 5 – Harmonies of the Major

and Minor Scales

Chapter 7 – Melodic Pitch and 11.30 9 – 11 AM (final exam time)

Rhythm