Music 108(on-line) - Listening to Music

Instructor: Ken Wilson Phone: 425 564-2694

email:

HYPERLINK "mailto:kwilson@bcc.ctc.edu"

kwilson@bcc.ctc.edu

Office Hour Daily 2:30 to 3:30

A class in listening to music sounds easy, and it is, or at least it should be. So why take this class. That too can be an easy answer. Since music is all around us and such a big part of our everyday life, many of us wish we knew more about the music that brings us great enjoyment. It is a class that can help you create deeper connections and greater understanding of the music that you already listen to as well as the various types of music that will be presented.

Few people ever think about becoming a better listener when it comes to music, however “business” spends millions of dollars trying to help their employees and managers become better listeners. Many of the tools that businesses utilize directly apply to music. This also holds true in the reverse as many skills used in high performance business such as focusing, understanding and interpretation can easily be learned through listening to music. Thus, this class not only helps us understand and enjoy the music that is all around us, but it also opens doors for us to our history, to new cultures, to new people and to wonderful new memories in our everyday lives.

After finishing my first quarter teaching this on-line course that I developed, I was quickly made aware of the holes in what was written and in the instructions you need. Please be patient and positive in your helpful suggestions. This has taken me almost a year and a half to put together and I am certain there are still major inconsistencies in the writing. However, much of the materials that you need to succeed in this class are present in the text and on the related CDs.

Tests will be taken directly out of written materials found in the text and additional readings. To develop your listening skills you will be asked to identify a growing number of characteristics of the listening examples we will cover during the quarter. Thus, it is suggested that you review listening examples throughout the quarter while following the associated listening guides. In the comprehensive final, you will be asked to name the title, composer, form and musical period of each example played, as well as identify the material that makes the piece representative of a form or style. Obviously you will not be able to cram for this course, as the listening examples make up a major portion of each quiz and the final. A suggestion would be to keep the music always present such as while driving in your car or doing homework. However, make sure you take some time each day or at the least every other day to listen intently to the musical examples while following the listening guides. I am here to answer any questions, so feel free to contact me at the numbers above.

It is stated in the course information that this class requires college level reading and writing skills. This is a crucial requirement of this class and plays a large role in the success of a student in the course. To be successful you will also need to follow many of the habits that make students successful in other college classes.

Make sure that you thoroughly read your materials, including footnotes.

Make sure you know the meaning of each word you read, especially the musical terms.

Make sure you stay ahead of the timelines and deadlines; remember the course materials are accumulative.

Make sure to do your research thoroughly and early, including listening research.

Make sure to edit the work you turn in, even your first drafts. (There are several places for peer review which can help you in the editing process.)

In conclusion, remember that you are taking a class that studies one of our most pleasurable activities, listening to music. Have fun, experience new things and spend time everyday listening to the course’s music as well as the music to which you usually listen. Keep the CDs playing in your car, home, kitchen, etc. Immerse yourself in the music and see what new things you will begin to hear.

What you may get out of this class:

An awareness of music’s role in society, both today and throughout history.

Information on listening skills and a structural approach to listening to music.

Overview of the elements of music and how they are used.

Historical perspective and knowledge of the development of western civilization’s music.

The tools to gain more understanding of, and connection to the music to which you listen

The activities in which you will you be involved:

There are nine modules, each containing a series of lessons. At the end of most modules you will be asked to take a quiz, with a comprehensive final test given at the end of the quarter. There will also be a series of short written assignments and several points for discussions in which you will be asked to participate as part of your grade. However, the most fun part of the course for many students, involves an assignment in which you will also be asked to attend two concerts and write reviews of each performance.

· Modules and lessons

The modules and lessons of the course are designed to be worked through sequentially. Modules will be introduced one at a time during the quarter. There will also be a cutoff date at which time all assignments, quizzes and concert reviews must be completed to receive credit. At the beginning of each module the introduction explains the order of the lessons and give you key points and suggestions for studying the materials. Within each lesson you will be involved with;

· Reading assignments: from the text, Companion CD, and original and adapted materials

Read all materials assigned from the text, including listening guides, captions and footnotes. There are many original and adapted articles that are found in each lesson for which you will also be responsible to read. Underline, highlight and re-read any key terms, or important information about key people, facts or concepts found in the materials of each lesson. This information will become the foundation for your musical/historical observations of your concert reviews and in your exams

· Listening assignments: from the real world, the selections from companion CD, the example and testing CD and the Basic 8 CD set

Listen to the musical selections while reading the listening guides that are designed to help you follow what is going on in the music. The listening guides can be found in your text and most often in software on your Companion CD. It is titled Kamien Chart Player. This software allows you to follow the listening guide on our computer screen while the music is playing on your computer. Occasionally listening guides are only presented in the course materials found on-line. All of this, however, should provide you the tools to be able to identify the selection, the composer, historical reference and/or what is going on in the music.

· Terminology: the list is taken from the reading materials and listening guides.

Musical and historical terms, as well as key names and events concerning music and music history are found in this section of each lesson. They will make up the vocabulary which will be used in your concert reviews, your discuss questions, and on quizzes. Look them up and for those terms representing musical sounds, listen to their related musical examples often found in the glossary on your Companion CD as well as the “Glossary Example” Locator appendix in the back of your text. These sources can give you great information and audio examples that will assist you in identifying the sounds and their related terminology you will find most musical selections. Many student have found it helpful to categorize the various terms into groupings for easier reference; for example terms related to the various musical elements such as pitch, duration or dynamics, or terms related to different musical periods, Baroque, Classical,Romantic.

· Example Phrases

These are phrases utilize terms and concepts that are related to each lesson. As you will be asked to formulate your own sentences in your discussions and in your concert review, it is helpful to have several role models. Take a moment to read through the phrases and see if you understand what they are trying to say. You can also view excellent example sentences in the musical descriptions found in the text. The more you can hear in your head the sounds the words on the page describe the deeper will be your understanding of music.

Assessment Tools

§ Module Quiz

At the end of each module you will be given a test of your knowledge of the materials found in each module. These multiple choice tests will include not only questions on the written materials and terminology found in each module but also the identification of the music and sounds covered during the lesson. The Example and Quiz CD I produced should cut down on many of the problems we faced during the last quarter. In each quiz and on the final you will be asked to listen to an example and answer questions as to what you will hear. Each quiz has a specific time allocated for completion, which will not allow for numerous repeated “listenings” of testing musical examples.

§ Comprehensive Final Test

At the end of the quarter there will be a comprehensive multiple choice and short answer test covering the materials from all modules. This test will include questions covering both written and audio materials.

§ Concert Reviews

Your will be asked to attend two classically oriented concerts this quarter and write a review on each. The content and the format of the reviews will be described in details as part of future modules. Concerts music be approved by the instructor 3 days before the performance. Any concert that is not approved and/or attended before completing the study of module 2 “The Elements of Music” will not be accepted. Students will asked to submit a first draft of their concert review as an attached Word document. Students will then have three days to give feedback on at least three other student’s initial drafts. From the comments received from the students, the student will then be expected to edit their work and resubmit the final draft, once again for grading. All written material should be submitted as attached Word compatible document. NO WRITTEN MATERIALS WILL BE ACCEPTED LATE

§ Projects and Discussion Questions

During the quarter there are several written assignments and projects that student will be responsible to complete and submit as an attached Word compatible document. On several such assignments students will be responsible for reading and commenting upon three fellow students’ work with in a three to four day period of time. (See calendar) Your responses should come from your own personal actions or observations and utilize the music terminology that we learn in class where appropriate.

How you will earn your grade?

Module Quizzes	25%
Final Comprehensive Exam	25%
Concert Reviews	30%
Discussion Questions and Reactions	20%

The equipment, text and CDs you will need?

Equipment

Hardware

IBM Compatibles

w 120 MHz system (or better recommended) with 32 MB of Ram(or higher)

w Windows 95 (or newer)

w SVGA 16 bit Color Monitor (or better), 800 x 600 resolutions

w SoundBlaster or compatible sound card

w CD player and software that allows for viewing time code when playing CD

w Sound settings on CD enables use of headphones or speakers.

w Internet Connection as prescribed by the online department (however you will be downloading several audio files at a time so the faster the internet connection the better)

w MS Word Compatible Software

Macintosh

w PowerMac with 32 MB Ram (or higher)

w System 7 (or higher)

w CD player and software that allows for viewing time code when playing CD

w External speakers or headphones

w Internet Connection as prescribed by the online department (however you will be downloading several audio files at a time so the faster the internet connection the better)

w MS Word Compatible Software

Hardware and Software Test

Play the following musical example (Test Example 1)

Play the “New Horizons in Music Appreciation” found on your companion CD and listen for what instrument plays a wrong note at time code 130 (It is pretty obvious)

If you are having any trouble with the above procedures your hardware or software will not allow you to complete this course. Make sure your system is configured properly and that you have the hardware and software that is required for the needs of the class.

Text

Music an Appreciation Fourth Edition with Companion CD

CDs

· Music an Appreciation Basic CD set ( Be careful and make sure it is the Eight CD "Basic" set, NOT the 3CD "Brief" CD Set)

· Example and Testing CD( Found in BCC Bookstore at beginning of quarter)

For other troubles with WebCT a trouble shooting document will be forth coming.