MUS 112 - Basic Music Theory Description This course is an introduction to basic musical concepts including, scales, key signatures, intervals, triads, rhythms, pitch notation, and ear-training. This course does not replace MUS 113 . Credit Hours: 3 Contact Hours: 5 Prerequisites/Other Requirements: None English Prerequisite(s): None Math Prerequisite(s): None Course Corequisite(s): None Academic Program Prerequisite: None Consent to Enroll in Course: No Department Consent Required Dual Enrollment Allowed?: Yes Course Fees: $5.00 Number of Times Course can be taken for credit: 1 Programs Where This Course is a Requirement: None General Education Requirement: None General Education Learner Outcomes (GELO): NA Course Learning Outcomes: 1. Read music in bass and treble clefs.
2. Recognize notes in alto and tenor clefs.
3. Understand rhythms in basic time signatures, including simple and compound meters.
4. Perform rhythmic exercises in simple and compound meters.
5. Identify major and minor key signatures and scales.
6. Sing all Major scales.
7. Write major scales in all keys and three forms of minor scales in all keys.
8. Identify and write all intervals, including inversions and compound.
9. Hear and identify all ascending intervals within the octave.
10. Write and identify all major, minor, diminished and Augmented triads.
11. Write and identify all triad inversions.
12. Write root position seventh chords.
13. Know and use active listening skills.
14. Use rules or frameworks to provide context for and understand problems or issues.
15. Complete work accurately, with attention to detail. Course Outline: I. Introduction
A. Syllabus
1. Explanation of Class
2. Explanation of Grading
II. Music Basics
A. Musical Alphabet
B. Reading Music
1. Treble Clef
2. Bass Clef
3. C Clefs
D. Semitones
1. Chromatic
2. Diatonic
E. Whole Tones
F. Rhythm Reading and Understanding
G. Drills
H. Computer Lab: http://musictheory.net
III. Key Signatures (1-2 Weeks)
A. Major Keys
1. Order of Sharps
2. Order of Flats
B. Major Scales
C. Circle of Fifths
D. Rhythm Drills
1. Rhythmic Syllables
2. Two Handed Rhythm Studies
3. Rhythmic Accounting
E. Singing: Major Scales (through three sharps and three flats)
F. Quizzes
IV. Intervals (2-3 Weeks)
A. Intervals of the Major Scales
1. Perfect
2. Major
B. Other Intervals (Intervals continued)
1. Minor
2. Augmented
3. Diminished
C. Interval Inversions
D. Compound Intervals
E. Singing: All Major Scales and Intervals
F. Ear Training: Intervals
G. Rhythm Studies: Compound Rhythms
H. Computer Lab: http://musictheory.net
I. Quizzes
V. Minor Scales and Key Signatures
A. Minor Key Signatures
B. Three Types of Minor Scales
1. Natural
2. Harmonic
3. Melodic
C. Circle of Fifths with minor keys
D. Relative and Parallel minor keys and scales
E. Ear Training: Minor Scales
VI. Triads (2 Weeks)
A. Four Types of Triads
1. Major
2. Minor
3. Diminished
4. Augmented
B. Spelling Triads
1. From the Root
2. From the Third
3. From the Fifth
C. Triad Inversion
D. Primary Chords with Roman Numerals, I, IV, V
Chords
E. Singing: Triads
F. Ear Training: Triads
G. Rhythm Studies
H. Quizzes Minor Keys (with triads)
VII. Review and Comprehensive Exam (2 days) Approved for Online and Hybrid Delivery?: Yes Instructional Strategies: Lecture: 10-50%
In class practice drills, rhythm studies, singing and ear training: 30-50%
Individualized instruction: 5-10%
Computerized drills: 5-40%
Group discussion: 0-15 % Mandatory Course Components: A Final Exam that shows that the student has mastered the learning outcomes for this course. Equivalent Courses: None Accepted GRCC Advanced Placement (AP) Exam Credit: None AP Min. Score: NA Name of Industry Recognize Credentials: None
Course prepares students to seek the following external certification: No Course-Specific Placement Test: None Course Aligned with ARW/IRW Pairing: IRW 97, IRW 98, IRW 99 Mandatory Department Assessment Measures: None Course Type: Elective- Offering designed to expand learning opportunities for degree seeking students. May or may not be required for students in a specific GRCC program. Course Format: Lecture/Lab - Must meet Lecture & Lab Ratios Total Lecture/Lab Hours Per Week: 5 People Soft Course ID Number: 100251 Course CIP Code: 50.09 Maximum Course Enrollment: 20 General Room Request: Music Classroom High School Articulation Agreements exist?: No If yes, with which high schools?: NA Non-Credit GRCC Articulation Agreement With What Area: No Identify the Non Credit Programs this Course is Accepted: NA
School: School of Liberal Arts Department: Music Discipline: MUS Faculty Credential Requirements: 18 graduate credit hours in discipline being taught (HLC Requirement), Master’s Degree (GRCC general requirement) Faculty Credential Requirement Details: The instructor must have attained at least a Master’s Degree in music and demonstrate an ability to communicate the fundamentals of music to this student population. Last Revision Date Effective: 2017-04-17 11:40:51 Course Review & Revision Year: 2025-2026 Essential Abilities/Technical Standards:
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