Introduction to Music Theory

MUSIC 161

This introductory course covers the fundamentals of music theory and music literacy through exploration of European classical repertoire, popular music idioms, written theory exercises, and the development of basic aural skills. Topics include clefs, key signatures, major and minor scales, time signatures, meter, intervals, triads, seventh chords, inversions, basic Roman numeral analysis, and form. Students also write short compositions that explore dynamics, phrasing, texture, dissonance treatment, harmonic function, formal function, and cadential syntax.

Notes

Instructor: various. For questions about the course, please contact the Coordinator of Music Theory, Nicholas Stoia, nicholas.stoia@duke.edu .

Curriculum Codes
  • ALP
Typically Offered
Fall and/or Spring