Music 316:  Musical Analysis

Spring Semester 2003

Course Description

Catalog Description: “Analytic techniques for the study of balance in the organization of musical material.” In this course you will apply the knowledge gained in harmony and musicianship to the analysis of form and function in tonal music and beyond. Analysis is an essential activity in all forms of musical endeavor including performance, conducting, and composition. If you don’t know what’s going on in a piece, you’re not making music.

Grading

Your grade will be based upon the following guidelines:

Attendance Policy

Per Music Department policy:

Cheating/Plagiarism Policy

You are expected to complete the work for this course on your own. You may discuss the work with fellow students (e.g., form study groups), but the work you turn in must be your own work and in your own words. You may not copy from another source (Internet or otherwise) without quoting and providing bibliographic reference. Such quoting may not be a substantial part of any assignment. According to the California Code of Regulations, academic dishonesty is an offense for which a student may be expelled, suspended, or given a less severe disciplinary action (see Appendix C of the Catalog for details). Don't do it.

Late Work Policy

Late work will NOT be accepted without prior (meaning before the day it is due) approval of the instructor and then only for extenuating circumstances. If you miss a class due to illness, you may turn in the assignment in the very next class for a one letter grade deduction. That deduction will not apply if you provide a doctor’s slip verifying the illness on the day you return to class. Work that is turned in late due to poor planning on your part, a heavy course load, a heavy workload, etc. will not be accepted. If you must miss class due to an ensemble performance, you must notify the instructor in advance and arrange to complete the work ahead of time.

Course Objectives

In this course a student will

• Apply the knowledge gained in harmony courses to the analysis of musical works.
• Learn new analytical techniques and apply them a varying repertoire.
• Understand the principles of musical form and utilize analytical techniques identify the musical forms of a varying repertoire.
• Understand the ways in which the statement and evolution of musical materials affects structural function and form.
• Expand concepts learned in tonal analysis to a analyze a broader range of musical expression.
• Write cogently on analytical topics utilizing good grammar and sentence/paragraph/essay structure.
  

Approximate Course Schedule

The instructor reserves the right to alter this at any time.