Music 1170: Aural Skills 1

MOORES SCHOOL OF MUSIC, UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON

Fall 2017

INSTRUCTOR: EMAIL: OFFICE:

Dr. Nancy Murphy nemurphy@central.uh.edu MSM 140

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course features an introduction to solfège and melodic, harmonic, and rhythmic
dictation. Students will master the rudiments of musical literacy, acquiring skills in
solfège, rhythm and meter, conducting patterns, and dictation. Exercises will include
melodic, rhythmic, harmonic materials, working individually and in small ensembles.
Singing work will either be prepared in advance and/or performed performed at first
sight. There will be in-class and computer-assisted work in dication.

Students must be enrolled in one of the following sections.

SECTION 13108 Nancy Murphy nemurphy@central.uh.edu Room 108*
SECTION 16529 Kiersten Baker kjbaker3@uh.edu Room 110
SECTION 16530 David Mach damach@uh.edu Room 112
SECTION 16531 John Tootle jwtootle@uh.edu Room 116
*When the large group meets, it will be in Room 108.

REQUIRED TEXTBOOKS:
AUTHORS TITLE ONLINE RESOURCE
Benjamin, Music for Sight Singing, 6th ed.
Horvit & Nelson
Horvit, Koozin Music for Ear Training, 4th ed. http://www.musicforeartraining.com/
& Nelson Workbook available with
online access.

NOTE: New books include premium access to the websites you will need for this course.
A used book or “rental” offer may not include website access.

ELECTRONIC RESOURCES & MATERIALS

§ http://www.uh.edu/blackboard/
§ Bring textbooks to every class
§ Please always have staff paper, a pencil and an eraser

GRADE BREAKDOWN:
Dictation 50%
-- In-class daily (30%)
-- Midterm (10%)
-- Final (10%)
Sight Singing 50%
-- In-class daily (30%)
-- Midterm (10%)
-- Final (10%)
ATTENDANCE:

Number of Absences Penalty

1-4 No penalty
5th Grade lowered by a minus
6th Grade lowered by an
additional minus
7th Dropped from the course
(W or F as appropriate)

Being late three times counts as an absence.

ACADEMIC HONESTY
UH policies on Academic Honesty can be found at the UH website http://catalog.uh.edu.
You are expected to do your own work on all assignments, quizzes, and exams unless
instructed differently. Problems with academic dishonesty will be handled according to
the procedures outlined in the undergraduate student handbook and in the
undergraduate course catalog. Please note that the mere suspicion of academic
dishonesty is enough to initiate official action; please do not put yourself in the position
of having to deal with this kind of sitaution.

DISABILITY ACCOMMODATIONS
Students with disabilities are asked to bring the instructor’s attention any special
accommodations they may require. Students will document a disability with the UH
Center for Students with Disabilities (phone: 713-743-5400). The CDS will provide
recommendations to help the instructor and student accommodate a disability.

COUNSELING
Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) can help students who are having
difficulties managing stress, adjusting to college, or feeling sad and hopeless. You can
reach CAPS (www.uh.edu/caps) by calling 713-743-5454 during and after business hours
for routine appointments or if you or someone you know is in crisis. Also, there is no
appointment necessary for the “Let’s Talk” program, which is a drop-in consultation
service at convenient locations and hours across campus.
http://www.uh.edu/caps/outreach/lets_talk.html.
 CLASS SCHEDULE
(subject to change)

Week DICTATION SINGING

(From Music for Ear Training) (From Music for Sight Singing)

1 Unit 1: Units 1 & 2:

Scale degrees Meter
Intervals (2nds and 3rds) Major scale
Intervals (2nds and 3rds)
2 Unit 1: Units 1 & 2:
Intervals (4ths and 5ths) Rhythms
Unit 2: Intervals (3rds and 4ths)
Rhythmic Dictation Melodies
Melodic Dictation
3 Unit 3: Unit 3:
Intervals (6ths & 7ths) Tonic triad
Triads (some work from Unit 1) Intervals (5ths, 6ths, 8ves)
4 Units 1-3 Unit 3:
Intervals & triads continued Complete Unit 3
Scales Unit 4:
Unit 4: Rhythms
Seventh Chords Seventh chords
5 Units 3 & 4: Unit 4
Harmonic dictations More Unit 4
6 Unit 4: Unit 4
Rhythmic Dictations Complete Unit 4
Melodic Dictations
7 Unit 4: Unit 5:
Harmonic Dictations Rhythms
I, IV, V and V7
8 Unit 5: Unit 5
Rhythmic Dictations Alto Clef
Melodic Dictations
9 DICTATION MIDTERM SINGING MIDTERM (Part 1)
(Tuesday October 17) (Thursday October 19)
Intervals, scales, triads, melodic Solo melodies through p. 60.
dictation & harmonic dictation
10 Unit 5: SINGING MIDTERM (Part 2)
Harmonic Dictations Solo melodies through p. 60.
11 Unit 6: Unit 6:
Rhythmic Dictations Rhythms
Melodic Dictations Minor keys
12 Unit 6: Unit 6
Harmonic Dictations Continue Unit 6
13 Unit 6: Unit 6
Harmonic Dictations Continue Unit 6
14 Unit 6: Unit 6
Rhythmic Dictations Complete Unit 6
Melodic Dictations
15 DICTATION REVIEW DICTATION REVIEW
AURAL SKILLS I DICTATION FINAL:
Thursday December 7, 2017, 8:00am–11:00am MSM Room 108
SIGHT SINGING FINAL: TBD (sign up for times)