Overview
This unit covers the principles of popular music. You will study fundamental popular music theory including pitch and rhythmic notation, pulse, meter, harmony and the musical forms used in popular music. You will learn to aurally identify harmonic, melodic and rhythmic concepts and transcribe them where appropriate using music notation software. You will also develop your performance skills on your chosen instrument in solo and collaborative situations.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
There are no requisites for this unit.
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 1 - 2019
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes - in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of 'pass' in order to pass the unit. If any 'pass/fail' tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully ('pass' grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the 'assessment task' section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University's Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback - Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
Feedback, Recommendations and Responses
Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.
Feedback from Student Feedback
Course could not be faulted or improved.
Continue delivery in the manner implemented for 2018.
- Complete music writing tasks using the basic rudiments of music relating to pitch, rhythm, keys, scales and chords as derived from contemporary popular music styles at an introductory level.
- Aurally identify and transcribe harmonic, melodic and rhythmic concepts as it applies to popular music genres.
- Develop your performance skills on your chosen instrument in solo and collaborative contexts.
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| 1 - In-class Test(s) - 15% | |||
| 2 - In-class Test(s) - 15% | |||
| 3 - In-class Test(s) - 35% | |||
| 4 - In-class Test(s) - 35% | |||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| 1 - Communication | |||
| 2 - Problem Solving | |||
| 3 - Critical Thinking | |||
| 4 - Information Literacy | |||
| 5 - Team Work | |||
| 6 - Information Technology Competence | |||
| 7 - Cross Cultural Competence | |||
| 8 - Ethical practice | |||
| 9 - Social Innovation | |||
| 10 - First Nations Knowledges | |||
| 11 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | |||
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes
| Assessment Tasks | Graduate Attributes | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | |
| 1 - In-class Test(s) - 15% | |||||||||||
| 2 - In-class Test(s) - 15% | |||||||||||
| 3 - In-class Test(s) - 35% | |||||||||||
| 4 - In-class Test(s) - 35% | |||||||||||
Textbooks
There are no required textbooks.
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
- Professional Music Notation Software (Sibelius, Finale or MuseScore recommended)
- Creative Arts Studio Facility
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: American Psychological Association 6th Edition (APA 6th edition)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
m.p.price@cqu.edu.au
Week 1
Begin Date: 11 Mar 2019Module/Topic
Theory: Clefs, Staves and the Notation of Pitch
Aural: Introduction To Aural Training
Performance: Directed Performance of Selected Material from the Pop Genre
Chapter
Music Theory Secrets. Brent Coppenbarger. CQU library online
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 2
Begin Date: 18 Mar 2019Module/Topic
Theory: Rhythmic Concepts and Notation
Aural: Introduction to Melodic Dictation
Performance: Directed Performance of Selected Material from the Pop Genre
Chapter
Music Theory Secrets, Brent Coppenbarger.
CQU library online
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 3
Begin Date: 25 Mar 2019Module/Topic
Theory: Rhythmic Concepts and Notation
Aural: Introduction to Melodic and Rhythmic Dictation
Performance: Directed Performance of Selected Material from the Pop Genre
Chapter
Music Theory Secrets, Brent Coppenbarger.
CQU library online
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 4
Begin Date: 01 Apr 2019Module/Topic
Theory: Tonality and the Major Scale
Aural: Melodic and Rhythmic Dictation, Singing Exercises
Performance: Directed Performance of Selected Material from the Pop Genre
Chapter
Music Theory Secrets, Brent Coppenbarger.
CQU library online
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 5
Begin Date: 08 Apr 2019Module/Topic
Theory: Tonality and the Major Scale
Aural: Melodic and Rhythmic Dictation, Aural Singing Exercises
Performance: Directed Performance of Selected Material from the Pop Genre
Chapter
Music Theory Secrets, Brent Coppenbarger.
CQU library online
Events and Submissions/Topic
Vacation Week
Begin Date: 15 Apr 2019Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 6
Begin Date: 22 Apr 2019Module/Topic
Theory: In-Class Assessment
Aural: In-Class Assessment
Performance; In-Class Assessment
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
In-Class Assessment (Theory and Aural)
In-Class Assessment (Performance)
Mid term music theory & aural test Due: Week 6 Friday (26 Apr 2019) 5:00 pm AEST
Mid term music ensemble assessment Due: Week 6 Friday (26 Apr 2019) 5:00 pm AEST
Week 7
Begin Date: 29 Apr 2019Module/Topic
Theory: Key Signatures
Aural: Melodic and Rhythmic Dictation, Aural Singing Exercises
Performance: Directed Performance of Selected Material from the Pop Genre
Chapter
Music Theory Secrets, Brent Coppenbarger.
CQU library online
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 8
Begin Date: 06 May 2019Module/Topic
Theory: Key Signatures
Aural: Melodic and Rhythmic Dictation, Aural Singing Exercises
Performance: Directed Performance of Selected Material from the Pop Genre
Chapter
Music Theory Secrets, Brent Coppenbarger.
CQU library online
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 9
Begin Date: 13 May 2019Module/Topic
Theory: Key Signatures, Intervals
Aural: Melodic and Rhythmic dictation, Aural Singing Exercises
Performance: Directed Performance of Selected Material from the Pop Genre
Chapter
Music Theory Secrets, Brent Coppenbarger.
CQU library online
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 10
Begin Date: 20 May 2019Module/Topic
Theory: Intervals
Aural: Melodic and Rhythmic dictation, Aural Singing Exercises
Performance: Directed Performance of Selected Material from the Pop Genre
Chapter
Music Theory Secrets, Brent Coppenbarger.
CQU library online
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 11
Begin Date: 27 May 2019Module/Topic
Theory: Intervals
Aural: Melodic and Rhythmic dictation, Aural Singing Exercises
Performance: Directed Performance of Selected Material from the Pop Genre
Chapter
Music Theory Secrets, Brent Coppenbarger.
CQU library online
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 12
Begin Date: 03 Jun 2019Module/Topic
Theory: Revision
Aural: Revision
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Review/Exam Week
Begin Date: 10 Jun 2019Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Exam to be scheduled during examination period.
Exam Week
Begin Date: 17 Jun 2019Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
End of Term Theory/Aural Exam
End of Term Performance Exam
End term music theory & aural test Due: Exam Week Friday (21 June 2019) 4:00 pm AEST
End term music ensemble assessment Due: Exam Week Friday (21 June 2019) 4:00 pm AEST
1 In-class Test(s)
You will complete a written test in music theory and a written/ aural test of aural musicianship based on the content studied in weeks 1 - 5. This test will be conducted in class time during week 6 of term.
Music theory: 60 minutes duration
Aural musicianship: 30 minutes duration
Week 6 Friday (26 Apr 2019) 5:00 pm AEST
Week 8 Monday (6 May 2019)
- Theory: Accurate completion of all written theory questions. (60%)
- Aural: Accurate melodic/ rhythmic dictation and performance of aural exercises.(40%)
- Develop your performance skills on your chosen instrument in solo and collaborative contexts.
- Communication
- Team Work
2 In-class Test(s)
This is an assessment based on your participation and musical development in the ensemble classes during weeks 1 - 5.
This assessment item involves students rehearsing for and presenting a variety of practical performance based events through participation in a music ensemble. Students are expected to approach their field of study in a professional and conscientious manner. This involves seeking to attain the highest possible standards of achievement. Each ensemble has a number of scheduled rehearsals per week, supervised and self-directed.
It is a requirement of this unit that students maintain high levels of attendance at rehearsals and performances. Failing to do so will negatively affect student results in this assessment item. Students should aim to be characterised by punctuality to classes, lessons, rehearsals and performances. It is expected that students take an active role in their musical education, demonstrating initiative in developing an effective practise schedule and a positive work ethic towards the established curriculum.
Note: If students are absent from rehearsals and / or performances due to illness, a doctors certificate MUST be provided to the unit coordinator.
Week 6 Friday (26 Apr 2019) 5:00 pm AEST
Week 8 Monday (6 May 2019)
Ensemble Criteria
Musical Skills
- Accuracy of technique, intonation and quality of tone - 10%
- Accuracy of articulation and rhythm - 10%
- Appropriateness of stylistic phrasing - 10%
- Degree of musical interaction (where appropriate) and quality of interpretation - 10%
Professionalism
- Degree of initiative in completing tasks in a variety of technical, creative and performance areas - 15%
- Degree of focus, concentration and attention during rehearsals - 10%
- Ability to take direction and apply concepts in rehearsal - 10%
- Degree of preparedness and punctuality, including transcriptions/arrangements and individual practice - 15%
General
- Ensemble rehearsal attendance and participation - 10%
- Complete music writing tasks using the basic rudiments of music relating to pitch, rhythm, keys, scales and chords as derived from contemporary popular music styles at an introductory level.
- Aurally identify and transcribe harmonic, melodic and rhythmic concepts as it applies to popular music genres.
- Critical Thinking
3 In-class Test(s)
You will complete a written test in music theory and a written/ aural test of aural musicianship based on the content studied in weeks 1 - 12. This test will be conducted in class time during end of term exam week.
Music theory: 90 minutes duration
Aural musicianship: 60 minutes duration
Exam Week Friday (21 June 2019) 4:00 pm AEST
Exam Week Friday (21 June 2019)
- Theory: Accurate completion of all written theory questions. (60%)
- Aural: Accurate melodic/ rhythmic dictation and performance of aural exercises.(40%)
- Develop your performance skills on your chosen instrument in solo and collaborative contexts.
- Communication
- Team Work
4 In-class Test(s)
This is an assessment based on your participation and musical development in the ensemble classes during weeks 1 - 12, as well as your performance in an end of term performance event.
This assessment item involves students rehearsing for and presenting a variety of practical performance based events through participation in a music ensemble. Students are expected to approach their field of study in a professional and conscientious manner. This involves seeking to attain the highest possible standards of achievement. Each ensemble has a number of scheduled rehearsals per week, supervised and self-directed.
It is a requirement of this unit that students maintain high levels of attendance at rehearsals and performances. Failing to do so will negatively affect student results in this assessment item. Students should aim to be characterised by punctuality to classes, lessons, rehearsals and performances. It is expected that students take an active role in their musical education, demonstrating initiative in developing an effective practise schedule and a positive work ethic towards the established curriculum.
Note: If students are absent from rehearsals and / or performances due to illness, a doctors certificate MUST be provided to the unit coordinator.
Exam Week Friday (21 June 2019) 4:00 pm AEST
Exam Week Friday (21 June 2019)
Ensemble Criteria
Musical Skills
- Accuracy of intonation and quality of tone - 10%
- Accuracy of articulation and rhythm - 10%
- Appropriateness of stylistic phrasing - 10%
- Degree of musical interaction (where appropriate) and quality of interpretation - 10%
Professionalism
- Degree of initiative in completing tasks in a variety of technical, creative and performance areas - 15%
- Degree of focus, concentration and attention during rehearsals - 10%
- Ability to take direction and apply concepts in rehearsal - 10%
- Degree of preparedness and punctuality, including transcriptions/arrangements and individual practice - 15%
- General
- Ensemble rehearsal and performance attendance and participation - 10%
- Complete music writing tasks using the basic rudiments of music relating to pitch, rhythm, keys, scales and chords as derived from contemporary popular music styles at an introductory level.
- Aurally identify and transcribe harmonic, melodic and rhythmic concepts as it applies to popular music genres.
- Critical Thinking
As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.
Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.
When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.
Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.
As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.
What is a breach of academic integrity?
A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.
Why is academic integrity important?
A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.
Where can I get assistance?
For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.
What can you do to act with integrity?
