Course Description

Pitch • Rhythm • Scales • Key Signatures • Intervals • Chords • Melody • Harmony

Music has it's own language! If you're serious about communicating in music, these are fundamental concepts you will need to understand and master. This class will help you build a solid base of musical knowledge.

Upon completing this course, you will have learned to:

• Play notes on a piano keyboard
• Read sheet music
• Write a melody
• Use scales, intervals, and chords
• Work with key signatures and time signatures
• Recognize intervals
• Play chords and chord progressions
• Coordinate simple transposition

Course Objectives

We will start at the very beginning, then move rapidly through the LESSON MATERIAL. This class is cumulative, and it will be your responsibility to review each lesson plan, do the assigned worksheets and quizzes, practice, and move on.

The goal upon completion of this course, is to better understand music theory in order to READ--WRITE--PLAY music! Reinforcing your knowledge by practicing with a (concurrent) piano, vocal, or instrumental class is extremely beneficial, since this class will focus primarily on the theory behind the application.

Note: If you already read music and are confident with the LESSON MATERIAL, may I suggest that you contact Norm Weston regarding the Harmony/Sightsinging Series, or enroll in a piano class, or choral or instrumental ensemble.

Text/Materials

Required:
1. "Music Basics with Online Resources," by G. Peregrine. 2nd edition ISBN #1-934250-14-7
In stock at Saddleback College bookstore

Required: Manuscript Paper
May be purchased from any store, or print free from my website: http://gretchenperegrine.com (under Resources)

Required:
A Keyboard and phone! Small portable keyboards are available at radio shack, wal-mart, toys 'r us, Rite-Aid, etc.
Practice rooms are also available to you in the Fine Arts Dept. at Saddleback College. Contact Kevin Mowry (949 582-4748) for details.

Required: A computer to log on to Blackboard (socccd.blackboard.com) to access lesson links, assignments, and quizzes.
Computers are available in Saddleback's Library if needed.
Read over additional information in the Distance Education Handbook.

Blackboard password problems contact Sheri Nelson snelson@saddleback.edu

Get started: Find a piece of sheet music from any resource which includes treble and bass keyboard (no guitar tab or choral arrangements.) You will analyze this piece (which be called your "Journal") as you apply it to each lesson.

Course Calendar

1. Lessons, assignments, and online quizzes are posted on Blackboard, as well as due dates. It is your responsibility to follow the assignment schedule, take online quizzes, and phone in the quizzes as indicated.
   
   Blackboard Login: http://socccd.blackboard.com
   
   tip: Check announcements on Blackboard!
   
   
2. I will be sending you e-mail messages to your Saddleback e-mail address. Be sure to forward your Saddleback e-mail address to your regular account!
   Go to MySite/Email/Webemail/Options/Settings/MailForwarding: type "new email address"/Save
   
   tip: Check your e-mail!
   
   
3. You will be working with a partner to collaborate on three assignments - (1) Phone quiz #4; (2) an in-class performance of "Edelweiss," and (3) practice for the Final. See Blackboard's Communication link to find and coordinate with a partner.
   
   tip: FIND A PARTNER AT ORIENTATION!
   

Grades are updated and posted online on blackboard.

Each lesson assignment and it's accompanying test should be finished before accessing the next lesson. If you fail to log on to the course and take the initial exam by Friday (5pm) of the 2nd week of class, you may be dropped.

Drop Policy:

It will be your responsibility to drop by the required date (See Important Dates and Deadlines) for a "W," otherwise you will receive an "F" on your permanent record. Make-up exams and dates will not be given.

Taking an online class is not for everyone; in some ways it can be even more challenging than taking a class in a classroom. Students who are new to an online learning environment may benefit from reading over Saddleback's Distance Education Handbook.

You must discipline yourself to devote weekly, uninterrupted time to each lesson with it's assignments and tests,

AND

PRACTICE!

Develop self-disclipline in your study. Set aside practice time for yourself, and with your partner or group.

You can expect to spend the following dedicated hours:

http://gretchenperegrine.com