Unit Guide

Course:
Bachelor of Audio Production
(BAP)
Unit No:
SAP 20
Unit Name: Applied Music Theory

Contents
1. UNIT OVERVIEW

2. AIMS

3. LEARNING OUTCOMES

4. ASSESSMENT ITEMS

5. CORE TEXTS

Unit Guide - BAP110: Applied Music Theory

6. ACADEMIC STAFF

7. LESSON OVERVIEW

8. SCHEDULE

9. ASSESSMENT GUIDELINES

10.

EXERCISES

11.

ACADEMIC MISCONDUCT

12.

READINGS

12.1
12.2
12.3

BAP100 Reading 1
BAP100 Reading 2
BAP100 Reading 3

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8
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13.

DUE DATES

14.

RESOURCES AND EQUIPMENT

14.1
14.2
14.3

15.

Studios and Lab Facilities

Equipment
Intranet/Network Resources

RECOMMENDED AND FURTHER READING

15.1
15.2
15.3

Books
Journals and Other Publications
Websites and Other Online Sources

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Unit Guide - BAP110: Applied Music Theory

1.

Unit Overview

Unit Number:
Unit Name:
Credit Points:
Pre-requisites:

BAP110
Applied Music Theory
10
Nil

2. Aims
This unit introduces students to the musical elements that comprise contemporary
music language. Song structure and arrangement is examined with the objective of
developing a comprehension of music composition and basic score reading skills.
Students develop a heightened appreciation of the elements of music, through
directed listening and also through the application of music fundamentals to a
creative project. Students will undertake aural training to develop a sense of pitch
fluctuation, tone colour, and density characteristics. Students are encouraged to
think critically about instrumental sonorities and their implementation during
recording sessions.

3. Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this unit students will be able to:
Read basic musical signs and notation
Describe chords and scale structures
Perceive the sense of tonality and key centre
Recognise common instrument samples
Analyse rhythmic patterns and notation
Read a basic musical score
Describe basic harmonic movement and planning in music
Apply basic music principles in production

4. Assessment Items
The following assessment items must be completed for this unit:
BAP110.1: Exam 1
20%
BAP110.2: Exam 2
30%
BAP110.3: Practical Assignment
40%
BAP110.4: Exercises
10%
Note: All assessment items must be attempted.

5. Core Texts
Brimhall, J 1985, Complete Theory Notebook, Charles Hansen Educational
Music & Books, Inc.

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Unit Guide - BAP110: Applied Music Theory

6. Academic Staff
Head of Audio/ Academic Coordinator: Mark A. Kneer
Email: m.kneer@sae.edu
Tel: +62 (0)21 2555 4540
Unit Lecturer: Otto Sidharta
Email: Ottosidharta@yahoo.com
Tel: +62 (0)21 2555 4540

7. Lesson Overview
Trimester
Week
1

Content

Unit overview
Review assignments

Naming musical notes

Construction of the Stave (Staff)
leger lines, bar lines and measures
Notes on the Treble (G) Clef Staff
Notes on the Bass (F) Clef Staff
Great Staff
Tones and semitones
Accidentals (sharps, flats and
naturals)
Enharmonic Equivalents
Note Values: whole, half, quarter
eighth and sixteenth note
Note values: practical
Interpretation using keyboard (4/4
at 60 Beats per minute
Rests and their beat counts:
whole, half, quarter, eighth and
sixteenth note rests
Rest values: practical
interpretation using keyboard (4/4
at 60 Beats per minute
Dotted notes and dotted rests
Triplets: (eighth note triplet)
Time Signature anatomy
Simple Time signature (3/4 and 4/4)
Compound time signature (5/4. 6/8
and 9/8)
Demonstrate the above Tim
Signatures and accents
Constructing Major scales: C, D, E
and F Major (demonstrate tone
and semitone intervals separation)

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Session
Type
Lecture

Lecturer
Otto Sidharta

Lecture

Otto Sidharta

Lecture

Otto Sidharta

Unit Guide - BAP110: Applied Music Theory

Constructing Natural minor scale:

A, C and E Natural minor scale
(demonstrate tone and semitone
intervals separation
Relative Major/minor relationship
The Overtone series
Example of the C note and its
harmonics
Analysis of common instruments
samples
Importance of intervals and aural
recognition of intervals in music
Simple and Compound intervals
Melodic and Harmonic forms of
the intervals
Major and Perfect intervals
Minor intervals
Tritone (augmented fourth or
diminished fifth) interval
Demonstrate all the intervals
within one octave using a keyboard
Study Week
(No Formal Classes)
Key and Key Signatures
Key of C, G, D, A and E
Key of F, B flat, E flat and A flat
The circle of 5ths
Order of sharps and flats
Basic chord construction
Major and minor triad
Augmented and diminished triad
Importance of harmony in
contemporary music
Chords built from a Major scale (C
Major and its chords)
Chord names, Functional names,
quality and Roman numerals
Common Chord progressions in
Major key (I IV and V progression,
ii V and I progression and I vi ii
and V progression)
Tonic, Subdominant and Dominant
relationship
Marking and exam overview
Chords built from a minor scale (C
natural minor and its chords)
Common chord progression in
minor key (I iv and v)
Major Scale Modes

Study
Week 1
5

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Lecture

Otto Sidharta

Lecture

Otto Sidharta

Lecture

Otto Sidharta

Lecture

Otto Sidharta

Lecture

Otto Sidharta

Unit Guide - BAP110: Applied Music Theory

Study
Week 1
9

Modal Harmony
Study Week
(No Formal Classes)
Exam 1 (Midterm) (1 hour)

10

11

Excursion
Week 1
12

13

14

15
16

Otto Sidharta

Lecture

Otto Sidharta

Lecture

Otto Sidharta

Lecture

Otto Sidharta

Tutorial/
Lecture

Otto Sidharta

Tutorial/
Lecture

Otto Sidharta

Lecture

Otto Sidharta

Exam

Otto Sidharta

Basic song structure; (intro, verse,

bridge section, 12 and 32 Bar
forms, ABC, AABA etc)

Developing chart reading and

understanding musical signs used
in contemporary music (Dal
Segno, Da Capo, Al Coda etc)
Practical examples of the most
common song structures
Analysis of pop song charts
Practising chart reading in various
tempos
Introduction to composition
Application of song structure ideas
Creating a hook
Prosody and Contrast
Excursion Week
(No Formal Classes)
Basics of arrangement
Approach to writing and notating a
piece of music
Writing a melody idea on the staff
Harmonising the melody using
simple diatonic chords
Importance of the bass line in
popular music
Assisting students with their ideas
and compositions
Troubleshooting their original
compositions if required
Revision and preparation for final
exam
Exam 2 (Final) (2 hours)

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Lecture

Unit Guide - BAP110: Applied Music Theory

8. Schedule
Students are required to attend all classes for the unit. Refer to the student
handbook for further details regarding attendance requirements for the course.
[Insert schedule here or refer students to relevant noticeboard or Intranet portal]

9. Assessment Guidelines
All assignments must be submitted formally in accordance with the assignment
submission guidelines that are outlined in the Student Handbook. Further policies in
relation to assignment submissions are also outlined in the SAE policies and
procedures. All queries regarding the assessment items for this unit should be
addressed to the Unit Coordinator or the Campus Academic Coordinator.
It is important to note that all assignments, unless explicitly noted as group work in
the unit guide, must be completed on an individual basis. When you submit work for
assessment you undertake that the work submitted is your own original work.
Assessment
Submission Format
Weighting
Overview

BAP100.1 Exam 1
Theory exam
Written exam
20%
The exam is a theory-based exam completed in the
classroom. The exam may cover subjects and information
derived from class lectures, designated class readings,
practical work and exercises that are associated with this unit.

Requirements

Exam duration: 1 hour

Exam format:
Multiple-choice questions and/or
Short answer questions
This exam is closed book exam. No lecture notes or
textbooks may be brought into the examination room.
Students are required to bring paper, pens and a scientific
calculator to all exams. Graphic Calculators are not
permitted. Mobile phones must be switched off.

Assessment
Assessment Criteria

Graded / Criterion-referenced
All questions must be attempted
Select/write the most appropriate answer for each
question

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Unit Guide - BAP110: Applied Music Theory

Assessment
Submission Format
Weighting
Overview

BAP110.2 Exam 2
Theory exam
Written Exam
30%
The exam is a theory-based exam completed in the
classroom. The exam may cover subjects and information
derived from class lectures, designated class readings,
practical work and exercises that are associated with this unit.

Requirements

Exam duration: 1.5 hours

Exam format:
Multiple-choice questions and/or Short answer questions
This exam is closed book exam. No lecture notes or
textbooks may be brought into the examination room.
Students are required to bring paper, pens and a scientific
calculator to all exams. Graphic Calculators are not permitted.
Mobile phones must be switched off.

Assessment
Assessment Criteria

Graded / Criterion-referenced
All questions must be attempted
Select/write the most appropriate answer for each
question

Assessment

BAP110.3 Practical Assignment

Music Composition
Written Notation
40%
The purpose of this assignment is to test basic understanding
of music composition.
Students will must select one of two options:
a) Create an original composition where melody and
harmony are composed by the student, or
b) Create a composition where the harmony is already
given and the student will have to write a melody to fit
existing harmonic structure

Submission Format
Weighting
Overview

Requirements

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Music composition has to be presented in a written format

Song should be no longer than 16 measures
Music should be notated on the great stave
Melody should be written in the Treble clef and harmony
in the Bass clef

Unit Guide - BAP110: Applied Music Theory

Assessment
Assessment Criteria

10.

Graded / Criterion-referenced
Music composition is well presented
Music composition contains all of the appropriate musical
symbols
All the measures are correct and correspond to the given
Time Signature
Melody corresponds to the stated Key Signature
Correct use of accidentals
Harmony corresponds to the stated Key Signature
Compositional flow of the musical piece
Assignment labelling

Exercises

10.1 BAP110 Exercise 1

Writing Musical Notes
Students are required to recognise note pitches and values. Students should use
treble and bass clefs, identifying pitches, note values and writing given note names
on the staff. Notes should be written in their appropriate spaces or lines on the stave
with the corresponding alphabetical names under the stave.
10.2 BAP110 Exercise 2
Recognising Simple Time Signatures
Students are practising recognition of note values and adding up rhythmic values to
match given time signatures. Students are required to both count note values to
identify a time signature, and complete empty bars with notation to match a
specified time signature.
10.3 BAP110 Exercise 3
Scales with Accidentals Exercise
Students are required to write out all the major scales and their relative minor scales
over one octave, with using only accidentals. Both treble and bass clef should be
used.

11.

Academic Misconduct

Academic misconduct is behaviour that contravenes the values of academic

integrity, which breaches rules, policies, direction and guidelines at SAE Institute in
relation to assignments and assessment, and which normally includes action taken
with the intention of gaining an unfair advantage for self or others. It includes, but is
not limited to, plagiarism, collusion, cheating and fraud.
Students are expected to adhere to the academic honesty policy and procedures at
all times. If you are unsure about the use of other peoples works or ideas within
your own work you should discuss this with your lecturer at the earliest opportunity.
You should also ensure that you read the Formatting and Referencing guide that
provides an overview of the American Psychological Association (APA 6th Edition)
referencing style and examples of how to reference most of the kinds of works that
you will cite. Be meticulous with referencing and citation (includes credits) in all
exercises, practical and written assignments submitted during your studies.
Note that SAE may use screening software to check authorship and originality of
submitted assignments.
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Unit Guide - BAP110: Applied Music Theory

Please refer to the Academic Honesty Policy for further details or contact your unit
coordinator if you have any questions in relation to academic honesty.

12.

Readings

12.1 BAP110 Reading 1

Read and summarise part one of the article located at the following link:
Mugglin, S. 2000, Music Theory for Songwriters, Part One - Scales, Note Numbers,
Roman Numerals [online],
Available from:
http://chordmaps.com/
[Accessed: 21.02.2011]
12.2 BAP110 Reading 2
Read and summarise part two and three of the article located at the following link:
Mugglin, S. 2000, Music Theory for Songwriters, Part Two - I, IV, and V chords,
Keys, Chords in D [online],
Available from:
http://chordmaps.com/
[Accessed: 21.02.2011]
Mugglin, S. 2000, Music Theory for Songwriters, Part Three - ii, iii, and vi chords,
The Simple Map [online],
Available from:
http://chordmaps.com/
[Accessed: 21.02.2011]
12.3 BAP110 Reading 3
Read and summarise part nine of the article located at the following link:
Mugglin, S. 2000, Music Theory for Songwriters, Part Nine - The Circle Of Fifths
[online],
Available from:
http://chordmaps.com/
[Accessed: 14.02.2011]

13.

Due Dates
Task
BAP100 Reading 1
BAP100.1 Exam 1 (Midterm)
BAP100 Reading 2
BAP100 Reading 3
BAP100.2 Exam 2 (Final)

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Week Due
Week 3
Week 9
Week 10
Week 12
Week 16

Date
04-04-2012
30-05-2012
25-04-2012
27-06-2012
01-08-2012

Unit Guide - BAP110: Applied Music Theory

14.

Resources and Equipment

14.1 Studios and Lab Facilities

Various Classrooms equipped with sound systems

Computer lab

14.2 Equipment
Nil

14.3 Intranet/Network Resources

Further course notes and materials may be downloaded from the Source
Drive on the Intranet.
Log on to the Intranet using your User Name and Password
Mount the Source Drive (Command - K; Select Source)
Locate Unit Folder

15.

Recommended and Further Reading

15.1 Books
Abersold, J., Improvisation and Sing-along Series, Abersold.
Brandman, M.,1983, The Contemporary Chord Workbook, Castle Music.
Citron, S., 2008, Songwriting : a complete guide to the craft / 2nd ed., William
Morrow, New York.
Spiewak, T., 1991, Aural Training for Musicians and Music Students, Box Hill
College of TAFE.
15.2 Journals and Other Publications
Audio Engineering Society (AES) Journal
Sound on Sound, SOS Publications [Online]
Available from:
http://www.soundonsound.com/
[Accessed: 03.07.2007]
15.3 Websites and Other Online Sources
Ricci Adams' Music Theory [Online] Includes introductory and intermediate music
theory lessons, ear trainers, and books.
Available from:
http://musictheory.net/
[Accessed: 14.02.2011]
8notes.com [Online] Free sheet music and theory lessons.
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Unit Guide - BAP110: Applied Music Theory

Available from:
www.8notes.com/theory
[Accessed: 14.02.2011]
Music Theory For Songwriters.com [Online]
Many songwriters have questions about chords and how they flow. This site helps to
unlock the mysteries of music theory.
Available from:
http://chordmaps.com/
[Accessed: 14.02.2011]

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