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Music Theory 11

Music Theory 11 Course Overview

Big Ideas

Notated music communicates composer’s musical ideas to the performer.


Pitch and rhythm give shape to a melody.


Harmony creates tension, movement, and resolution to a piece of music.

Music literacy is the first step to learning music theory and composition.


Music is a universal language and transcends cultural boundaries.

From: BAA Board Approved Course

Introduction

Music Theory 11 is an introductory to intermediate music theory course. Students will explore concepts like scales, intervals, triads and chords, chord progressions, harmony, analysis, and musical design by looking at and listening to carefully selected Western and World music. Students will also practice some music composition. The course will also prepare students for the challenging but fun AP Music Theory.

Where does this course fit?

  • Prerequisites: Students should have 1-2 years of singing or instrument-playing experience.
  • Graduation Status: This course counts as a grade 11 elective towards graduation credits.
  • This course serves as a preparatory course for AP Music Theory.

Course Materials

  • None

Brief Outline

Unit

Description

Reading Sheet Music

This unit is mostly review so that students become familiar with the course structure while going over things they know already.

The Major Scale

Students will learn about the major scale, tetrachord, scale degree names, key signatures, and the Circle of Fifths.

The Minor Scale

Students will learn about the concept of relative keys, the 3 types of minor scales, the chromatic and whole tone scales, and the arpeggio.

Intervals

Students will learn about all the intervals in major and minor scales here. They will listen to them as single notes and listen to them in real music so they become familiar with chord qualities. Ear training is an important practice for a musician.

Triads and Figured Bass

Building on previous units, students will learn the tools music theorists use to analyze music and composers use to harmonize their melodic ideas. They will also apply their music theory knowledge to compose a short song.

Chord Progressions

Students’ learning will culminate in this unit's exercises in analyzing music. They will practice doing Roman numeral and figured bass analysis of some famous music from Classical to modern!

Mode, Form, and other Scales

Students will learn about forms, modes and other scales that they might encounter while listening to music other than Classical music. Students will do more analysis so they become familiar with the skill.


Assessment Percentage Breakdown

Assessment Type

Percentage of the Course

Assignments

23%

Quizzes

47%

Composition and Analysis project

10%

Midterm exam

12%

Final exam

8%

You have up to a year to complete your course.

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