Music 210 Second - Year Theory 1 Syllabus
Music 210 begins the second year of a two-year sequence of Music Theory, Analysis,
Sight-singing and Ear-Training skills. It covers Chromatic Harmony and Twentieth
Century idioms as written, analyzed, and composed. These courses are designed
to be commensurate with theory offerings at the state's four-year colleges,
and is usually accepted by transferring institutions. It is recommended that
all students beginning this sequence have completed a first-year college theory
program at BCC or elsewhere. If completed in the distant past, a review of first-year
theory is highly recommended before beginning this course.
The Second-Year sequence (210, 211, 212) uses: A Process Approach to Chromatic
Harmony by Dale Gleason, and Music for Analysis by Benjamin,
Horvit & Nelson. Sightsinging Complete by Benward, which was
purchased during the first-year sequence will also be referenced. Additional
music for analysis may be provided by the instructor. Students are also required
to purchase a spiral notebook of music papers for class notes. One will usually
last the year. Students should also have a good supply of No. 2 pencils and
erasers. Theory homework is never done in pen, only in pencil.
Course Organization
Music 210, 211, 212 involves written exercises and lecture/demonstrations and
meets Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. The advanced Sight-singing and Ear-Training
portion will meet Tuesdays & Thursdays. Music Lab assignments will involve
Practica Musica and Adv. Rhythmaticity. Homework is typically due on the next
class meeting of each subject area. Analyses are typically begun in class and
finished at home for the next SS/ET class.
Grading Procedures
1. Daily Work - Students should expect exercises at least twice a week
due at the next class meeting. In-class practice trials are often done, but
are ungraded. All quarter exercises count 1/4 of the quarter grade. The points
earned on homework are totalled for the quarter. Students earning 80-100%=A,
70-79%=B, 60-69%=C, 50-59%=D, 0-49%=F. Daily work is the key to success in the
course. Attendance is taken and is counted as part of the Daily Work grade.
More than 3 absences in the quarter lowers the daily grade to B. Additional
absences to B-, C+, C, etc. In addition, 2 tardies (arriving after roll is taken)
= 1 absence. Ten absences is an automatic failing grade in the course.
2. Sight-Singing/Ear-Training - Quizzes, Labs,Analyses, Midterm &
Final Exams each equal 1/5 of the course grade.The SS/ET grade equals 1/4 of
the course grade
3. Midterm and Final Exams - Each theory exam counts 1/4 of the final
grade. Attendance is mandatory on these exams and they are given in class only.
Unexcused absences on midterms and finals cannot be made up.
4. Compositions - A quarter composition based on the materials learned
during the quarter is required. Much like a "term paper in harmony,"
it will count 1/4 of the final grade. The composition may be written for a wide
variety of instruments available in class, and need not be vocal.
It is necessary to pass both the theory & ear-training portion of the class
to earn a grade for the course.
***IMPORTANT** You are responsible for all classwork, notes, exercises,
and tests covered whether you attend class or not! If a class is missed, it
is your responsibility to complete any missed assignments
My office is R130-R, my phone is 425-564-2686,and and e-mail ‘dgleason@bcc.ctc.edu’
Office hours are 8:30 & 9:30 Daily. Other times are available by appointment.
Music 210 Second-Year Theory 1 - Learning Outcomes
Successful students in Music 210 will learn the following theory skills:
1. Students will review all diatonic (first-year) materials including chords,
doublings, voice leadings, variants, and modulations to begin the course.
2. Students will learn to spell, notate, and resolve Secondary Dominant chords.
3. Students will harmonize melodies and chordlines that utilize Secondary Dominants
4. Students will learn to spell, notate and resolve vii°7 chords used as
Secondary Dominants.
5. Students will harmonize melodies and chordlines that utilize vii°7.
6. Students will explore and create Common Chord modulations
7. Students will explore and create Phrase modulations
8. Students will explore and create Chromatic modulations
9. Students will explore and create Common tone modulations
10. Students will learn to modulate using vii°7 as a Common chord.
11. Students will learn to spell, notate and resolve Dominant 9th chords
12. Students will learn to spell, notate and progress Non-Dominant 9th chords
13. Students will explore linear uses of 9th chords
Music 210 students will cover the following Sight-Singing, Ear-Training and Analysis skills
1. Students will review identification of all simple intervals by ear:M2, m2,
M3, m3, P4, P5, M6, m6, M7, m7 and A4.
2. Students will identify and write rhythms by ear:using 16th notes, 8th rests,8th-notes
triplets in various simple and compound meters
3. Students will identify and write Melodies by ear using all 7 degrees, 2 measures
long, 8th notes and rests, with simple syncopations
4. Students will identify chord types by ear identifying Major or minor triads
in root position, first or 2nd inversion, plus augmented and diminished triads
5. Students will identify four types of 7th chords by ear.
6. Students wiil identify simple chord progressions/resolutions by ear.
7. Students will sight-sing in one to 4 parts, major and minor keys
8. Students will complete an harmonic analysis of simple hymns, including secondary
dominants and common chord modulations.
9. Students will analyze pieces of music that they bring to class.
10. Students will analyze excerpts utilizing the idioms covered in the theory
portion of the class.