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Musical Language I

Code: 100659
Credits: 6
2026/2027
Degree programme Type Course
Musicology FB 1

Contact lecturer

Name :
Gabrielle Kaufman
Email :
gabrielleemelie.kaufman@uab.cat

Teaching staff

Marta Dosaiguas Canal

Group languages

You can consult this information at the end of the document.

Prerequisites

It is recomended for students to have completed courses on Music Harmony and Aural skills before enrolling in this course.

Objectives

 After the course the student is expected to:

  • Be able to read a musical score containing multiple lines or voices
  • Be able to sing annotated melodies with very little preparation 
  • Be able to recognize basic musical features by ear, including traits such as timbre, form, texture, pitch, time signature and rhythm
  • Know how to read and write three-note chords, using modern chord notation

  • Be aware of the process and development of musical aural skills

  • Be able to transcribe, modify and make additions to musical scores, following basic conventions of musical notation 
  • Know how to improvise simple musical fragments with a given acompaniment, using voice or keyboard 

Learning outcomes

  1. Conceptually analysing a work of the subject matter.
  2. Critically taking part in classroom oral debates and using the discipline's specific vocabulary.
  3. Demonstrate knowledge of the fundamental problems, vocabulary and concepts of music.
  4. Recognise the main models and their application in musical works.
  5. Discern equivalences and differences.
  6. Discern the basic elements of the main areas of music and culture and relate them to musical praxis. Develop the experience of cultural relativity in the act of listening.
  7. Identify situations in which a change or improvement is needed.
  8. Communicate using language that is not sexist or discriminatory.
  9. Analyse a situation and identify points for improvement.

Contents


  • Tonality


  • Three-note chords and their basic functions


  • Timbre, Dynamics and Texture


  • Rhythm, Pulse and Tempo


  • Vocal Technique


  • The foundations of musical score notation and modern chord notation


  • Transcription and improvisation


  • Theoretical concepts of the development of musical aural skills and musical capacity


Learning activities and methodology

Title Hours ECTS Learning outcomes
Analysis of musical structures and textures 15 0.6 1, 3, 4, 5, 8
Making melodies,chord symbols, cadences, harmonic functions 26 1.04 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Vocal intonation practice 15 0.6 4, 5, 7, 9
Virtual practice of musical dictations 26 1.04 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9
Rhythmic and melodic reading 26 1.04 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9
Rhythmic and melodic reading 15 0.6 2, 3, 4, 5
Analysis and musical practice individually or in small groups 12 0.48 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Use of computer software and digital keyboards 13 0.52 2, 3, 6, 8

The methodological approach throughout the course will be based on the following principles:

• Reflexive practice, peer review and the inverted classroom 

• The connection between listening, self-diagnostics, performance and creation 

• Practical work both individually and in groups 

• The individual use of specific software with gamification elements

The course Moodle will provide additional material for activities related to:  

  • Aural skills training

  • Score reading and Analysis of musical repertoire

Annotation: within the schedule set by the centre or degree programme, 15 minutes of one class will be reserved for students to evaluate their lecturers and their courses or modules through questionnaires.

Assessment

Continuous assessment activities

Title Weight Hours ECTS Learning outcomes
Written exams 40% 0.75 0.03 1, 3, 4, 5, 6
Continuous assessment in the class room 25% 0.4 0.016 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Oral Exam 35% 0.85 0.034 4, 5, 7, 8, 9

There will be continuous assessment of this course, divided into the following areas:

  • Identification and creation of musical notation (scores, chords)
  • Recognition of auditive elements (pitch, rhythm, timbre, pulse, dynamics etc.)
  • Vocal reproduction of auditive elements (pitch, rhythm etc.)
  • Self-assessment and peer review of aural skills
  • Transcription and Improvisation
  • Reflection and commentary regarding the evolution of musical capacity

Continuous assessment in the class room 25%

There will be continous exercices in the class room during the course of the trimestre, to work on the required musical capacities. These exercices will not be obligatory and therefore will not be subject to reevaluation. Elements of self-assessment and peer review will be included.

Written exams 40%

There will be diferents exercises of the essential syllabus of the course. These will be mandatory will a minimum requiered grade of 4 over 10. In the case of receiving a lower grade, the student can choose to do the reevaluation in February.

Oral exam 35%

There will be different assignments and exercises in the class room related to vocal reproduction. These will be mandatory will a minimum requiered grade of 4 over 10. In the case of receiving a lower grade, the student can choose to do the reevaluation in February.

In order to have access to the re-evaluation the student must have been previously evaluated for a group of activities that together conform at least two-thirds of the total grade for the continuous evaluation of the course.

Students will be given a \"Not assessed\" grade if they have not completed a third of the evaluation elements.

Exchange students that request an advancement of an exam must present a document to the teacher from their origin university that justifies that request.

The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no permitted for this course. Any assignments including fragments generated by A.I. will be considered a failure of academic honesty and can result in parcial or total suspension of the grade or greater sanctions.

In the event of a student committing any irregularity that may lead to a significant variation in the grade awarded to an assessment activity, the student will be given a zero for this activity, regardless of any disciplinary process that may take place. In the event of several irregularities in assessment activities of the same subject, the student will be given a zero as the final grade for this subject.

This course does not contemplate single assessment. From the second enrolment and onwards, students can choose to substitute the continuous evaluation system with a synthesis examination.

The teaching staff will notify the students of the time and date to revise their evaluations items and their grades.

All other details of the evaluation will be communicated by the teachers at the beginning of the trimestre.

Bibliography


Edlund, Lars, Modus Vetus, Sight singing and ear training in Major/Minor tonality. Stockholm; AB Nordiska Musikförlaget/Edition Wilhem Hansen, 1963.

Edlund, Lars, Modus Novus, Studies in reading atonal melodies. Stockholm; AB Nordiska Musikförlaget/Edition Wilhem Hansen, 1963.

Karpinski, Gary. S., Aural skills acquisition : the development of listening, reading, and performing skills in college-level musicians, Oxford University Press, 2000.

Kühn,Clemens,Tratado de la forma musical. Madrid: Span Press universitària, 1998.

Mayfield, Connie. E., Theory Essentials: An Integrated Approach to Harmony, Ear Training, and Keyboard Skills, Schirmer (Thomson Learning), 2003.

Segarra, Ireneu, Llenguatge musical/Harmonia. Grau Mitjà. Primer Curs/Segon Curs El meu llibre de músic. Barcelona: Publicacions Abadia de Montserrat, 2003.

Thackray, Rupert., The seeing ear: exercises in aural musicianship. Nedlands: The University of Western Australia Press, 1995.

Toch, Ernst, Elementos constutivos de la música. Armonía, melodia, contrapunto y forma. Barcelona: Idea Books S.A, 2001.

Zamacois, Joaquín., Teoria de la música, libros I/II. Barcelona: Labor, 1986.


Software

Musescore

Audacity

Specific software developed for the course

Course groups and languages

The information provided is provisional until November 30. After this date, you will be able to consult the language of each group through this link. To access the information, you will need to enter the course CODE

Type of teaching Group Language Semester Shift
(PAUL) Classroom practices 1 Catalan first semester morning-mixed
(PAUL) Classroom practices 2 Catalan first semester morning-mixed