Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

Upon successful completion of the course students should be able to:

1. Create examples where two or more meters are implied at the same time.

2. Create short melodies using synthetic scales.

3. Compose short chord progressions using jazz devices.

4. Interpret and label chords from a figured bassline.

5. Part-write classical common-practice examples using smooth voice-leading techniques.

• Perform different polyrhythms in groups

• Improvise melodies using synthetic scales

The instructor should make the criteria for assigning a course grade and for evaluating student progress clear at the beginning of the term. The individual instructor will determine the methods of assessment. Assessment methods may include:

Qualitative examinations
Quantitative examinations
Homework assignments
Music presentations
Class participation
Composition projects
Small group work/problem solving
Concert reports

• Figures and figured bass using conservatory/academic approaches

• Four-part writing using conservatory/academic methods

• Other classical non-chord tones

• Classical cadences

• Synthetic scales

• Jazz harmony, chord subs, backcycling 

• Polymeter

• Polyrhythms

• Polytonality

• Polychords and non-tertian harmony

• Planing, parallelism