Music Language 2: Chromaticism & Beyond

Subject 740-288 (2009)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2009. Search for this in the current handbook

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 2 (Undergraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2009:

On campus
For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: 2 one-hour lectures and 1 one-hour tutorial per week
Total Time Commitment: 120 hours
Prerequisites: 740-122 Music Language 1: the Diatonic World
Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements: It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability will impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and the Disability Liaison Unit.
Subject Overview: Building on the knowledge and process acquired in Music Language 1, the subject further engages compositional methodology through a survey of more complex contrapuntal procedures, including canon and fugal exposition, and surveys the function of the full gamut of chromatic harmony. An introduction to twentieth-century processes will also be made in the latter part of the course. Students are expected to write more complex three-part contrapuntal textures and four-part chromatic harmonic textures, demonstrating their understanding of voice leading and harmonic processes through regular assignments. Students should also develop an awareness of counterpoint and harmony in composition through a close study of the thematic material of set works from the Western canon.
Objectives: On completion of this subject, students should be able to:
  • analyse and evaluate contrapuntal textures
  • generate compositional material based on a variety of contrapuntal devices
  • identify and evaluate contrapuntal procedures in selected established repertoire
  • analyse and evaluate harmonic textures
  • develop a wide-ranging harmonic vocabulary which can be used in a variety of compositional idioms
  • identify and evaluate harmonic procedures in selected established repertoire.
Assessment:

Weekly music notation assignments including an analysis assignment (50%); two-hour end-of semester examination (40%); one aural recognition test held end of semester (10%).

Students must complete all assessment requirements to pass the subject.
Prescribed Texts: Edward Aldwell and Carl Schachter. Harmony and Voice Leading, 2nd edn. Harcourt BraceJovanovich, 1988.
Kent Kennan. Counterpoint, 3rd edn, Prentice-Hall, 1987.
Breadth Options:

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills: Students who have studied this subject should further develop and enhance:
  • analytical skills
  • skills in more advanced evaluative thinking, and in the application of complex theoretical criteria to a variety of practical outcomes.
Related Course(s): Bachelor of Music

Download PDF version.