This course explores the fundamental elements of music through practical, scientific, historical, and cross-cultural perspectives and analysis of a large-form canonical work. The first half of the course, “Basics and Beats,” focuses on timbre, dynamics, and duration in music, including poetic and musical meters, rhythm, and syncopation. The second half of the course, “Tones and Modes,” explores pitch in terms of melodic and harmonic structures (such as scales and chords) and notation. Students engage with these topics through readings, guided listenings, short papers, and concert attendance. This course is required for Lang Contemporary Music majors/minors.

This course explores the fundamental elements of music through practical, scientific, historical, and cross-cultural perspectives and analysis of a large-form canonical work. The first half of the course, “Basics and Beats,” focuses on timbre, dynamics, and duration in music, including poetic and musical meters, rhythm, and syncopation. The second half of the course, “Tones and Modes,” explores pitch in terms of melodic and harmonic structures (such as scales and chords) and notation. Students engage with these topics through readings, guided listenings, short papers, and concert attendance. This course is required for Lang Contemporary Music majors/minors.