Contemporary Music Theory III

Dennis Enns B Mus thepianoguy63@gmail.com

Fall 2016 604 789 9004
1 credit hours Wednesdays
Course Fees 10:30-11:45
201
The mission of Columbia Bible College is to equip people for a life of
discipleship, ministry, and leadership in service to the church and community.

I. Course Description
Prerequisites: MUSI 211 Contemporary Music Theory II and MUSI 221 Keyboard Lab II or
Challenge Exams

Course Description

This course explores chord structure ,melody, and form in contemporary music and emphasizes
ear training in contemporary idioms. It examines arranging and analyzing songs for a band.
Course topics include: writing lead sheets, vocal harmonies and background harmonies, writing
for rhythm section, instrumental section, and single line counter-melodies in a wide variety of
contemporary styles.

II. Objectives
By the end of this course, each student will:

1) Have increased knowledge of music theory through analysis, and application

2) Demonstrate a knowledge of : musical notation in traditional and contemporary settings

3) Major and Minor keys and their scales and Chords

4) Modes and other scales and their application

5) Diatonic seventh chords

6) Chords of Secondary Function (Applied Dominants)

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7) Transposition and modulation to unrelated keys

8) Nashville Number System

9) Song Analysis

10) Lead sheet format for vocal, rhythm, and instrumental section

11) Scoring software

III. Course Textbooks

Textbooks for this course may be Hymnbooks for analysis, Harmony textbooks, Worship Charts
and other Contemporary music scores.

IV. Course Requirements

Types of assignments:

* Practical assignments showing skill development : students will be required to perform on

instruments of their choice (piano,guitar etc.) their written assignments. 20% of grade

* Students will spend 2-3 hours a week on assignments ( mostly written exercises with a
practical application) 20% of grade

* Midterm and Final exam to demonstrate understanding ( these exams will be in written format
only ) 20% for Midterm and 20% for Final exam

* Major project Students will be required to create a project that demonstrates what they have
learned regarding harmony, rhythm, melody, and musical arrangement. ( eg. Writing a worship
song, re-arranging a piece of music for another instrument or vocal ensemble ) These , and many
other options will be discussed at first class. 20% of grade

V. Course Outline
* Review of Contemporary Music II ( Sept. 7,14 )

* Lead sheet formats : Chord charts, lead sheets, Nashville Number chart ( Sept. 21/28 )

* Transcribing and Transposition ( Oct. 5 )

* Song Analysis ( Oct. 12 )

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* Chords of Secondary function ( Oct. 19 )

* Midterm ( Oct. 26 )

* Writing vocal harmonies ( Nov. 2 )

* Writing lead lines for instruments ( Nov. 9 )

* Background harmonies ( Nov. 16 )

* Choral arranging for worship Nov.23 )

* Course review ( Nov. 30, Dec. 7 )

Academic Policies

For all CBC Academic Policies please refer to the Academic Manual on the CBC website.
Students are expected to be informed about these policies, particularly the following:

Attendance Policy

Late Assignment Policy

Academic Integrity

Grading Grid

VI. Special Instructions

Special instructions regarding policy where it differs from CBC Academic Policy.

VII.Selected Bibliography
Andrews, William and and Molly Sclater. Materials of Western Music Parts 1, 2, and 3. Toronto,
ON: Gordon V. Thompson Music (Warner Bros. Publications), 1987-1992.

Gauldin, Robert. Harmonic Practice in Tonal Music. 2nd ed. New York, NY: W.W. Norton,
2004.

Mackin, Barbara. Harmony: A Practical Approach. Parts I and II. Edmonton AB: Concertino,
1996.
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Melcher, Robert, Willard F. Warch, and Paul B. Mast. Music for Study: A Source of Experts. 3rd
ed., Eaglewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall, 1998.

Sarnecki, Mark. Harmony. 2nd ed. 3 vols. Mississauga, ON: The Fredericks Harris Music Co.,
Limited, 2010.

Vandendool, Grace. The Basics of Harmony. 2nd ed. Workbook and Answer Book. Mississauga,
ON: The Fredericks Harris Music CO., Limited, 2010.