Music 090 Fundamentals of Music Theory
Fall 2007

Class Meeting: MW 10:20-11:10 a.m.
Room: MUS Bldg 111

Professor: Dr. Daniel Kiser
Office: MUS 112
Phone: ext. 7154
E-mail: kiser@lrc.edu

Text
Ottman, Robert W. and Mainous, Frank. Rudiments of Music Theory, Pearson--Prentice Hall, Copyright © 2004. ISBN 0-13-182655-7

Music Building MIDI Computer Lab
Musition® & Auralia®, Music Theory Fundamentals Software, available in the MIDI Lab.

Optional, Finale2007®, available in the MIDI lab. Students may also find the free download of Finale Notepad® to be helpful with class assignments and for self directed drill design in music fundamentals.

Course Description
A study in the rudiments of music theory which includes clef reading, major and minor scales, key signatures, intervals, chords, an introduction to aural identification of the rudiments, and rhythm. It is designed for  entering freshmen following a music curriculum who have not yet demonstrated fundamentals of music theory proficiency. Two credits.

When professional baseball or football coaches interview with the press after a losing game, they usually point to the lack of fundamentals in their team's play that night. During the  next practice, the first thing that he says is that this will be a practice that is all about fundamentals, blocking, kicking, passing, hitting, fielding, etc.

For anyone who is in this class today who wishes learn about music from the beginning, or from the fundamentals, this is the right course for you, because you will learn here to read rhythm, read notes, and learn what makes up a good melody. You'll even get to tap rhythms for which the notation is projected up on a computer screen

Course topics & proficiencies
Students following a music major, music concentration or music minor curriculum are expected to demonstrate basic proficiency in music theory fundamentals. Students may demonstrate this proficiency through the fundamentals of music theory proficiency exam or by successful completion of MUS 090. 

Both the course content and the proficiency exam concepts are reflected below:

• terminology

• clefs

• scales, including major, natural minor, harmonic minor and melodic minor

• modes

• key signatures

• triads (chords)

• rhythm

• error identification and correction within a melody

• identification of the chords in a printed piece of music

• demonstrated ability to tap rhythms at sight, which is facilitated through computer testing.

Please refer to the theory proficiency exam web page for details.

Daily Assignments
Daily assignments will be announced in class and must be completed prior to the next class session. Late assignments will receive a failing grade but will be checked and returned to the student.

Quizzes and Exams
Quizzes (both announced and unannounced) and exams will be scheduled frequently. Exams will be announced in class well before the exam date.

The final exam for this semester will be Saturday, December 8 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 P.M.

Attendance
As noted in the Lenoir-Rhyne catalog, professors expect students to attend class, to be responsible for the academic consequences of absence, and to fulfill all course requirements regardless of absences.  Attendance will be taken at all class sessions, and no allowed number of absences is automatically granted to a student.  Ordinarily, students who miss more than 25% of class sessions are subject to failing course grades.

Students who must miss class for illness or family emergency should notify the instructor as soon as reasonably possible and should make arrangements to cover missed assignments, quizzes, and class notes.

Tardiness/Leaving Early
Students are expected to be on time and remain the entire class period. At the discretion of the instructor, two tardies and/or early departures can count as one absence.

Late Assignments / Failure to Take Tests
All written assignments not submitted at the beginning of the class period will be considered late. Late assignments will not receive credit but will be evaluated so that students my gain feedback on their work. Exams will be held on the dates announced in class. Except for documentable emergency, serious illness, or family crisis, make up exams will not be given.

Academic Honesty
Academic honesty in every aspect of this course is expected. Academic dishonesty will result in receiving an "F" in this course. For examples of infractions and possible academic disciplinary action, consult the college catalog.

Disabilities
If you have a disability or acquire one during a semester, contact the Director for Students with Disabilities located in the Cromer Center.  Students who have any disability, which might affect their academic performance in class, are encouraged to notify their instructor.

Modifications
The instructor reserves the right to make modifications to class procedures, pacing, format, syllabus and schedule in this course as circumstances warrant. Any changes will be clearly announced in class in a reasonable time frame for students to complete course work.

Use of Student Work
The instructor reserves the right to make copies of student work to keep as archival materials for internal assessment and external accreditation purposes. Students may submit any objections to this policy in writing to the instructor.