Teaching Music Theory
MUS 17E, Spring 2004
Department of Music
C.W. Post Campus/Long Island University

What is "Music Theory"

The study of how music is put together

Also, from Grove Music Online

Augmented Sixth Chords

A chord which contains an augmented sixth above the bass, in addition to various other tones, which determine weather the chord is a German Sixth Chord, French Sixth Chord, Italian Sixth Chord, Neopolitan Sixth, or Doubly Augmented Sixth Chord. (from musicoutfitters.com)

Also, Grove Music Online and University of Texas

Finale example

Thematic Structures

The Period -- Antecedent and consequent

The Sentence -- see Satz, fifth paragraph. Also Liquidation

Examples:
Sentence (Score and Music),
Period (Score and Music)
and What is It -- Period or Sentence

Non-Harmonic Tones
(revised March 11, 2004)

Note: All links are to Grove pages

Non-harmonic note

Two types:

1. Rhythmically weak notes that occur between two notes that are part of the harmony: a) passing tone (note), b) anticipation, c) échappée, d) cambiata, and e) auxiliary or neighbor tone (upper and lower)
2. Rhythmically strong notes that occur in place of a harmonic note: f/g) appoggiatura, h) suspension

Example g shows the "prepared appoggiatura" where the non-harmonic tone is anticipated in the preceding chord. The suspension (h) is the same as the prepared appoggiatura except that the non-harmonic tone is tied over from the preceding chord.

Examples from:
Apel, Willi, and Daniel, Ralph T. The Harvard Brief Dictionary of Music. New York: Washington Square Reference, 1960
(a very good paperback reference book to have)

The National Standards for Music Education

Make sure you are familiar with them, and how you can develop methods that allow you to teach to the Standards

Sequence of Learning

An example