M-JP-THJP2

Theory Classes

9

8

30

Two 105-minute classes per week

105 hours

147 hours

Completion of Music Theory 1 Jazz & Pop.

See Competencies Matrix.

Students develop:
- their audiation (musical imagination) through a systematic approach.
- their insight into the building blocks, structures, manifestations and theoretical models of music in various styles.
- a scientific, inquisitive attitude towards music.
They learn how to apply their knowledge and skills in practice, both actively and passively, in some cases at call.

This module is related to the modules Music History, Tilt Band, Harmony at the Piano, Rhythm Lab and Arranging/Composing. It also implicitly complements the performance modules.

Lessons are comprised of two parts:
- a warm-up, during which audiation and ready knowledge of elementary musical structures are trained.
- the study of music, involving both analysis and creation.
Students are strongly encouraged to contribute study materials related to their own musical activities, though the instructor has the final word on which topics will be discussed. The instructor aims to design an adequately balanced, comprehensive, and challenging lesson curriculum.
As such, a limited number of relevant aspects will be treated: Style:
- Analysis of a selection of complex materials mainly from the pop, rock, jazz, fusion, Latin and folk domains.
Form:
- Complex composition forms and their components. Harmony:
- advanced analysis of functional and modal harmony;
- advanced harmonic vocabulary;
- arranging (to perform) three, four and five-part voicings in different styles and with different approaches;
- recognizing and notating more complex harmonic progressions by ear;
- advanced melody harmonization (e.g., re-harmonizing) with, among other things, various modulation techniques and modal style-elements.
Melody and rhythm:
- transcribing existing recordings;
- advanced melodic/rhythmic analysis of mainly (improvised) solos;
- singing complex notated fragments in various keys and meters; chromaticism, modulations, compound meters and time signature changes;
- transcribing complex demonstrated fragments;
- reproducing scales, chords and chord tones and basic melodic elements through singing while naming each note.

Three modes of instruction are used: group discussion, lectures and exercises/training.

Materials chosen by the students, complemented by materials by the instructor(s).

n/a

After 15 lesson weeks, a formative grade is given, reflecting the overall impression the tutor has of level, progress and attitude of the student. The tutor discusses their views with the student.
At the end, the student has completed 6 assignments and has taken a written and an oral exam for Aural Skills. The final grade is calculated as the weighted average of these.
Nr - name - weight
1 - intermediate assessment - 0
2 - transcription assignment 1 - 1
3 - harmony assignment 1 - 4
4 - analysis assignment 1 - 4
5 - transcription assignment 2 - 1
6 - harmony assignment 2 - 4
7 - analysis assignment 2 - 4
8 - aural skills written and oral exam - 6

Students demonstrate that they have mastered the materials and skills pertaining to the topics listed under Content.

The final grade is calculated as follows:
Aural Skills exams AND Harmony exam AND General Music Theory exam are graded each with 5.5 or higher.
In addition, the Aural Skills final marks may contain one partial grade (for melody, harmony or rhythm) lower than 5.5, but not lower than 4.5.

The exam at the end of the fall semester is formative and designed by the instructor and may therefore vary from group to group. It indicates a student's progress in this module. The exam at the end of the spring semester is summative and co-designed by all of the instructors and therefore identical in contents and grading for all students. The oral part of the final exam is assessed by at least two instructors.

See the Education and Assessment Plan.