Harmony, Rhythm, and Form

This unit develops practical and theoretical foundations in minor and major tonalities, expanding students’ skills with intervals, triads, seventh chords, and common chord progressions while reinforcing key signatures and relative minors. It also covers rhythmic notation (including compound and irregular meters), basic musical forms, dynamics, acoustics, lead-sheet literacy, and introductory improvisation to connect theory to ensemble and popular-jazz contexts.

Learning Objectives

• Analyze melodic and harmonic content by identifying intervals, key signatures, relative minors, triads, and seventh chords and by labeling common chord progressions in both major and minor tonalities
• Apply rhythmic and notational skills to read, perform, and notate whole notes, rests, compound meters, and irregular subdivisions (triplets/duplets) accurately in ensemble and solo contexts
• Demonstrate functional musicianship by interpreting and realizing lead-sheet symbols on piano and guitar, locating notes on instruments, producing appropriate chord voicings, and complementing melodies with harmony
• Evaluate how dynamics, acoustic principles, historical forms (e.g., sonata, rondo, early polyphony), and stylistic conventions inform arrangement and improvised performance in rock, pop, and jazz idioms