How Harmony Works - course offering in 2024
Published: Dec 3, 2023 | Category: Uncategorized
Introducing my new course, How Harmony Works Part 1.
My nine session course, How Harmony Works 1, will give you an overview of the harmonic language used in the Common Practice Period (1600/1650 to approx 1900), looking at how composers use harmony in the real world of composition, not just to pass an exam! This course will:- introduce you to the harmonic language you need for the composition components of written exams (theory / musicianship etc) such as harmonising a given melody or bass line, cadences, counterpoint, melody-writing
- greatly facilitate your understanding and analysis of the set works in grades 5 and 6 theory and musicianship
- enhance your understanding of harmony and structure for the general knowledge component of learning your pieces and preparing for your practical exams
- Grade 4 written is required for Grade 8 practical, Certificate of Performance and CTMusA
- Grade 5 written for AMusA
- Grade 6 written for LMusA, ATMusA
My many decades of teaching experience have shown me that these co-requisites are not adequate on their own to provide you with the information you need to fully understand your performance pieces. In my ideal teaching scenario, students would be completing at least Grade 5 Theory with their Grade 8 practical.
One of the drawbacks of theory syllabuses of any exam board is that real music does not limit itself to the list of chords or progressions (the so-called 'assets' or 'resources') that the syllabus allows at each grade level. I want to help you to see the much bigger picture of what harmonic language has to offer. An excellent example is the use of the dominant seventh chord. This is first introduced in the Grade 6 AMEB Theory syllabus, but you will find it everywhere in the literature from the very easiest pieces onwards, so understanding its use much earlier than Grade 6 will be of great benefit in understanding your instrumental repertoire. The AMEB does not restrict you to only using the 'assets' listed for your grade, and although they don't encourage it (because they are worried you don't know what you are doing!), you are permitted to use resources from higher grades, provided you use them absolutely correctly.
The details:
If you are studying higher grades of Theory/Musicianship/Music Craft (with any exam board), from grade four (AMEB or its equivalent) upwards, this course is for you. By the end of the course you will have a general understanding of harmonic language well beyond that required for grade 6 (AMEB).This course does not teach you how to write a four part harmony, or a melody, or a two-part counterpoint, but it will teach you the principles behind writing in each of these genres, making those tasks much easier. Cadences, harmony, melody writing and counterpoint are all based on the same harmonic language and form the 'composition component' of written exams. They are worth a significant proportion of the marks (e.g. 44% for Grade 5; 59% for Grade 6, in the AMEB Theory syllabus), so it makes sense to be sure that you have a thorough understanding of this language.
An analogy with language learning is probably the clearest here: if you want to write a good essay or poem, you first need to make sure you can speak the language well and have a good command of vocabulary, syntax and style.
The sessions are held fortnightly, four in term one and five in term two. Looking ahead to term three, if there is enough interest, we could do an additional five sessions on chromatic harmony. Other proposed course in the future are more targeted sessions on each of the composition component tasks (harmony, melody writing, two-part writing etc), as well as the general knowledge and set works components of the written exams.
Summary:
- Nine session course
- One hour online group session each fortnight (recorded for later access if you can't attend live or you want to review the material)
- Chat group within the course platform for asking questions between sessions - I will regularly monitor the chat and respond to your questions
- Short homework assignments with answer keys to correct your own work
- Provision of material and scores for analysis
Benefits of being part of a group working on this together:
- you learn from other students' insights and questions
- you learn from my and other students' answers to those questions
- you develop some camaraderie with your fellow harmony students
- you save money: learning in groups is much cheaper than individual tuition
FAQ
What if I've already done grades four and five, or even six? Will this still benefit me?Yes! There will of necessity be some areas of review for you, but the content of this course is not the same as what you cover in theory exams. This course will help to give you a much bigger picture of harmony, which will facilitate your understanding of and ability to complete the composition questions in the exam and your understanding of the composer's intentions in your pieces.
How do I access the live classes, the course videos and materials?
The material will be presented using the New Zenler content management platform. You will receive log in information once you have enrolled.
When will the weekly sessions be held?
Probably late afternoon or early evening on a Wednesday (but still to be determined). I know that I will never be able to find a time that would suit all of you, but remember that the live sessions will be recorded and you will all be able to view the recordings as many times as you wish.
When will the course commence?
In the second week of February.
For how long will I have access to the content?
You will be able to access all the videos, handouts, chat etc for twelve months from the start of the course. If you get behind, you will be able to catch up at your leisure during the year.
How much does it cost?
$250 for the nine session course. This is much more cost effective than paying me for private tuition at my regular rate to cover the same material.
If you have any other questions, or are wondering whether this course would be beneficial for you, please ask!