Keyboard Harmony

Course Description

A keyboard approach to the study of harmony, emphasizing figured-bass realization, melody harmonization, and playing from lead sheets. Learning and internalizing of stock formulas to develop the ability to extemporize. Prerequisite: MUP 204 or MUS 215 or MUS 216, MUS 207, and MUP 133 or PRFM major with keyboard concentration.

Syllabus

Student Learning Outcomes, Goals, Objectives:

Students successfully completing this course will be able to:

  • Identify common harmonic and contrapuntal schemas.
  • Aurally recognize common harmonic and contrapuntal schemas.
  • Produce common harmonic and contrapuntal schemas at the keyboard.
  • Create new harmonizations by combining and varying schemas.

Course Grading Information:

Activity/Performance Measure Percentage/Points
4 Concept Quizzes @ 5% each 20%
3 Checkpoint Performance Quizzes @ 13.33% each 40%
1 Final Performance Exam 25%
Collaborative Repertoire Compilation 5%
Attendance 10%

Conversion of Semester Grade Percentage to Letter Grades:

Percentage Letter Grade
94–100A
90–93A–
87–89B+
84–86B
80–83B–
77–79C+
74–76C
70–73C–
67–69D+
64–66D
60–63D–
0–59F

Attendance/Participation:

Attending all of each and every class period will earn you a 100% for the attendance component, worth 10% of your semester grade.

You are permitted two (2) unexcused absences without penalty.

After that point, deductions to your attendance grade will apply up to a maximum permitted seven (7) absences.

Eight (8) or more absences will result in instructor-initiated withdrawal from the course.

Course Materials Purchased by the Students:

  • A paper notebook and pencil (or tablet and stylus) for taking notes.
  • Paper or electronic music manuscript paper.

Scholarly Perspectives

This course engages diverse scholarly perspectives to develop critical thinking, analysis, and debate and inclusion of a reading does not imply endorsement.