Teaching Workshop: Music Theory Introduction (advanced)
A.Y. 2021/2022
Learning objectives
The course aims at familiarizing students with the technical aspects of music research, i.e. score reading, performance study, music videos, instrument, soundtracks, etc. - thus developing an appropriate set of skills and specialized language. These will allow students to correctly describe musical phenomena, based on both functional harmony structures of the classical Western canon and music analysis.
Expected learning outcomes
By the end of the course, students will have come to understand several advanced notions of music theory, as well as some key elements of functional harmony. As a result, they'll be able to technically analyze a musical object (be it a score or a performance) in a thorough and effective way.
Lesson period: Second semester
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
More specific information on the delivery modes of training activities for academic year 2021/2022 will be provided over the coming months, based on the evolution of the public health situation.
Course syllabus
The course is divided in three units (A-C):
PARTE A
Intervals and scales;
Triads and inversions;
Seventh chords;
Cadences.
PARTE B
Secondary dominants;
The passing notes and pedal note;
Melody;
Texture;
Chords in the popular music;
Modulations;
Sixth Chords.
PARTE C
Formal analysis;
Score reading;
Performance study.
PARTE A
Intervals and scales;
Triads and inversions;
Seventh chords;
Cadences.
PARTE B
Secondary dominants;
The passing notes and pedal note;
Melody;
Texture;
Chords in the popular music;
Modulations;
Sixth Chords.
PARTE C
Formal analysis;
Score reading;
Performance study.
Prerequisites for admission
Being an advanced course in music theory, this course naturally follows the "Formazione musicale di base I" course. Therefore, students will be required to possess previous knowledge of basic music theory, including the ability to read scores written in both treble clef (confident reading) and bass clef (basic reading) and familiarity with the system of tones (scales and the circle of fifths).
Teaching methods
The course is structured through class lectures and will draw on the Ariel platform for sharing materials and teaching aids. Given its hands-on approach and methodology, the course will include step-by-step written mock tests meant to help students meet the syllabus's learning aims.
Teaching Resources
References:
OTTÓ KÁROLYI, La grammatica della musica, Torino: Einaudi, 1969;
WALTER PISTON, Armonia, ed. riveduta e ampliata da Mark Devoto, trad. it a cura di Giovanni Gioanola, Torino: EDT, 1989;
IAN BENT, Analisi musicale, ed. italiana a cura di Claudio Annibaldi, Torino: EDT, 1990;
DANIEL ROCA, IGNACIO CABELLO, EMILIO MOLINA, Armonia: metodo pratico di approccio creativo all'armonia e alla composizione, trad. it. a cura di Daniela De Marchi, Milano: Volontè & Co. S.r.l., 2017.
Students will find additional material uploaded on the course's website on the Ariel platform (https://ariel.unimi.it/). Such material is intended for self-study purposes only and is considered as an integral part of the course's syllabus.
OTTÓ KÁROLYI, La grammatica della musica, Torino: Einaudi, 1969;
WALTER PISTON, Armonia, ed. riveduta e ampliata da Mark Devoto, trad. it a cura di Giovanni Gioanola, Torino: EDT, 1989;
IAN BENT, Analisi musicale, ed. italiana a cura di Claudio Annibaldi, Torino: EDT, 1990;
DANIEL ROCA, IGNACIO CABELLO, EMILIO MOLINA, Armonia: metodo pratico di approccio creativo all'armonia e alla composizione, trad. it. a cura di Daniela De Marchi, Milano: Volontè & Co. S.r.l., 2017.
Students will find additional material uploaded on the course's website on the Ariel platform (https://ariel.unimi.it/). Such material is intended for self-study purposes only and is considered as an integral part of the course's syllabus.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The final exam consists in a written analysis of a musical object. Assessment is based on the following criteria:
1. Knowledge of notions and content covered throughout the course;
2. Solid knowledge of music theory;
3. Ability to read formal and harmonic structures of a music object (both written score and performance);
4. Mastery of technical specialized language.
1. Knowledge of notions and content covered throughout the course;
2. Solid knowledge of music theory;
3. Ability to read formal and harmonic structures of a music object (both written score and performance);
4. Mastery of technical specialized language.
Professor(s)