Syllabus Survey

Course Introductions

In any course, it is important to feel comfortable with your fellow classmates. Use this ice-breaker as an opportunity to read about each other and have some fun.

Post an introduction as a comment to the class Blog. Be sure to include:

• Where you are from
• Why did you choose this course
• Your musical background (if any) 
• Dreams for your future.

Hearing the Elements

Using what you have learned about the Musical Elements, write a short (1 page) critique of your favorite piece of music. You can choose any composition to write about. However, I do ask that you keep it PG-13, at least.

Follow the ideas and principles found in the reading you did about Music Criticism to start your ideas flowing.

Here are some starter questions that come from the Beyond the Classroom section of your reading.

• What individual musical elements do you hear? What words might you use to describe each one?
• Does the music use instruments, voices, or both? Which specific instruments or voices do you hear? How many of each do you notice?
• Do any elements change as the composition progresses? If so, which elements change and in what way do they change?
• If you listen to a song, how does the music express the words through its melody, harmony, rhythm, tempo, dynamics, and accompaniment?

Post your critique as a comment to this post. If you can, include a YouTube video or mp3 recording of the example (hence the need for the PG-13 rating).

Your critique is due by 11:59 PM on Sunday of Week 1.