Module WXM-1004:
Introduction to Harmony & Counterpoint
Module Facts
Run by School of Music, Drama and Performance
20.000 Credits or 10.000 ECTS Credits
Semester 1
Organiser: Dr John Cunningham
Overall aims and purpose
This module aims to develop students’ understanding of the main elements of musical language – melody, harmony, counterpoint, rhythm – through the study of compositional practice in tonal compositions of the common practice era.
Course content
Students work through a course of study which will develop score reading and analytical skills, creativity, and a thorough understanding of the parameters for the construction of music during the periods in question. The module is suitable for those students who have little or no prior knowledge of harmonic or contrapuntal principles (e.g. those who have not done chorale harmonization as part of A-Levels or equivalent), or those students who lack confidence in their skills in this area.
Assessment Criteria
threshold
Full understanding of staff notation, but only basic understanding of musical practice in the historical period studied. Basic grasp of key skills pertaining to the subject, with limited ability to apply these skills in other musical contexts. Limited demonstration of individual creativity. Work is presented coherently but with only limited stylistic appropriateness.
good
Full understanding of staff notation, with good understanding of musical practice in the historical period studied. Good grasp of key skills pertaining to the subject, with the ability to apply these skills in a range of other musical contexts. Good demonstration of individual creativity. Work is presented coherently, and with some stylistic appropriateness.
excellent
Full understanding of staff notation, with excellent understanding of musical practice in the historical period studied. Very good grasp of key skills pertaining to the subject, with the ability to apply these skills across the full range of musical contexts. Excellent demonstration of individual creativity. Work is presented coherently and full stylistic awareness.
Learning outcomes
-
On completion of this module, a student should be able demonstrate skills in score reading.
-
On completion of this module, a student should be able to demonstrate skills in the analysis of tonal / modal music according to fundamental principles.
-
On completion of this module, a student should be able to demonstrate a solid understanding of modern music and analytical notation.
-
On completion of this module, a student should be able to demonstrate a solid understanding of the principles of tonal / modal composition through basic pastiche composition.
Assessment Methods
| Type | Name | Description | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main assignment | 50.00 | ||
| Coursework | 30.00 | ||
| Test 2 | 10.00 | ||
| Test 1 | 10.00 |
Teaching and Learning Strategy
| Hours | ||
|---|---|---|
| Seminar | Two one-hour seminars per week for eleven weeks. Teaching will take place via a University approved platform such as Teams, and will be supported by online resources etc. Tasks / reading will normally be set as preparation: where teamwork is required it must be done online via a platform such as Teams. Each student will also be allocated a seminar group, which will be delivered via a University approved platform such as Teams: these sessions are intended to build on the material / concepts outlined in the lectures and allows students to discuss through practical exercises. |
22 |
| Private study | In addition to assignments, students are expected to prepare / review reading between classes. Students are also expected to complete unassessed exercises ahead of lectures / seminars (usually up to 4 hours per week). |
156 |
| Lecture | Two hours of lectures per week for eleven weeks. Teaching will take place via a University approved platform such as Teams, and will be supported by online resources etc. Tasks / reading will normally be set as preparation: where teamwork is required it must be done online via a platform such as Teams. Each student will also be allocated a seminar group, which will be delivered via a University approved platform such as Teams: these sessions are intended to build on the material / concepts outlined in the lectures and allows students to discuss through practical exercises. |
22 |
Transferable skills
- Numeracy - Proficiency in using numbers at appropriate levels of accuracy
- Self-Management - Able to work unsupervised in an efficient, punctual and structured manner. To examine the outcomes of tasks and events, and judge levels of quality and importance
- Exploring - Able to investigate, research and consider alternatives
- Inter-personal - Able to question, actively listen, examine given answers and interact sensitevely with others
- Critical analysis & Problem Solving - Able to deconstruct and analyse problems or complex situations. To find solutions to problems through analyses and exploration of all possibilities using appropriate methods, rescources and creativity.
- Teamwork - Able to constructively cooperate with others on a common task, and/or be part of a day-to-day working team
Subject specific skills
- Musicianship skills – recognition, classification, contextualisation, reconstruction, exploration
- Intellectual skills specific to Music – contextual knowledge, cultural awareness, critical understanding, repertoire knowledge, curiosity, analytical demonstration
- Intellectual skills shared with other disciplines – research and exploration, reasoning and logic, understanding, critical judgement, assimilation and application
- Skills of communication and interaction – oral and written communication, public presentation, team-working and collaboration, awareness of professional protocols, sensitivity, ICT skills, etc.
- Skills of personal management – self-motivation, self-critical awareness, independence, entrepreneurship and employment skills, time management and reliability, organisation, etc.
Resources
Resource implications for students
None.
Talis Reading list
http://readinglists.bangor.ac.uk/modules/wxm-1004.htmlReading list
Talis
Pre- and Co-requisite Modules
Pre-requisite of:
Courses including this module
Compulsory in courses:
- W303: BA Music (with International Experience) year 1 (BA/MIE)
- W300: BA Music year 1 (BA/MUS)
- W30F: BA Music [with Foundation Year] year 1 (BA/MUSF)
- W305: BA Music with Game Design year 1 (BA/MUSGD)
- W3P5: BA Music with Journalism year 1 (BA/MUSJ)
- W3W4: BA Music with Theatre & Performance year 1 (BA/MUSTP)
- W304: BMus Music (with International Experience) year 1 (BMUS/MIE)
- W302: BMUS Music year 1 (BMUS/MUS)
- W32F: BMus Music [with Foundation Year] year 1 (BMUS/MUSF)
Optional in courses:
- W3P3: BA Astudiaethau'r Cyfr & Cherdd year 1 (BA/ACC)
- WW93: BA Creative Studies and Music year 1 (BA/CSTMUS)
- 32N6: BA English Literature and Music year 1 (BA/ELM)
- 32N7: BA English Literature & Music with International Experience year 1 (BA/ELMIE)
- VW23: BA Hanes Cymru a Cherddoriaeth year 1 (BA/HCAC)
- VW13: BA History and Music year 1 (BA/HMU)
- VW14: BA History and Music with International Experience year 1 (BA/HMUIE)
- WW39: BA Music and Creative Writing with International Experience year 1 (BA/MCWIE)
- W3H6: BA Music and Electronic Engineering year 1 (BA/MEE)
- WV33: Music & Hist & Welsh Hist (IE) year 1 (BA/MHIE)
- PW33: BA Media Studies and Music year 1 (BA/MSMUS)
- RW13: BA Music/French year 1 (BA/MUFR)
- WR32: BA Music/German year 1 (BA/MUGE)
- WR33: BA Music/Italian year 1 (BA/MUIT)
- WW38: BA Music and Creative Writing year 1 (BA/MUSCW)
- WW36: BA Music and Film Studies year 1 (BA/MUSFS)
- WR34: BA Music/Spanish year 1 (BA/MUSP)
- VVW3: BA Philosophy and Religion and Music year 1 (BA/PRM)
- VW2H: BA Welsh History and Music year 1 (BA/WHMU)
- QW53: BA Cymraeg/Music year 1 (BA/WMU)
- H6W3: BSc Electronic Engineering and Music year 1 (BSC/EEM)