A review of the experimental literatures related to melody and voice-leading.
The emphasis in this course is on gaining an in-depth knowledge of the experimental literatures pertaining to the perception of melody and voice-leading.
With regard to melody, the course will examine concepts such as gap-fill, leap-lengthening, final-lengthening, segmentation, melodic accent, melodic arches, contour peaks, metric organization, and locomotive and trajectory features. Other issues such as text-setting, melodic expectation, and memory will be covered in less depth.
With regard to voice-leading, the course will cover empirical research on the formation and segregation of auditory streams. The traditional voice-leading canon will be approached from a perceptual point of view.
Repertories examined will include Gregorian chant, European folksongs, Schubert Lieder, American popular melodies, and non-Western melodies. Voice-leading repertories will focus principally on J.S. Bach, with some reference to Machaut, and to contemporary close-harmony writing.
The course has no formal pre-requisites. Graduate standing is required.
This course will not be offered in 1999. Classes are held on the Ohio State University Campus.
The course objectives include the following:
- to expose students to pertinent research ideas and concepts related to melody and voice-leading
- to stimulate students' research interests and creative thinking
- to develop students' critical skills in evaluating research reports
- to encourage the development of students' research skills
- to promote collaborative research activities and conversation.
The course objectives are pursued through weekly readings, seminar discussions and presentations.
No text is required for this course. Reserve readings will be made available through the Music/Dance Library.
The workload for Music 829A entails three hours of seminar participation each week, plus approximately seven hours of reading per week (roughly 60 pages). Seminar participants will take turns leading the discussion of the week's reading material.
In addition, final research papers will require roughly twenty-five hours over the course of the quarter. Note that the time required for this course is likely to vary widely depending on individual background and circumstances.
The final course grade will be based on the following:
Class participation and presentation(s) 25% Final research paper 75% Topics for research papers must be approved by the instructor. Students will be expected to meet individually with the instructor throughout the quarter in order to discuss research issues.
Dr. David Huron
Mershon Auditorium, Room 502
Telephone: 688-4753 (Wk.) 268-8992 (Hm.)
E-mail: hüron.1@osü.edü [Please ignore the umlauts; they are present to foil web crawlers.]
Students are encouraged to arrange to discuss any aspect of their course work. No appointments are necessary, however meeting times can be assured by telephoning Prof. Huron to make an appointment. If you are unable to reach the instructor by telephone, remember to leave a message giving your name and telephone number.
- For classes with small enrollments, if possible, please notify the instructor in advance should you need to miss class.
- In the case of chronic absence from class due to health reasons, please arrange to forward appropriate medical documentation.
Academic Integrity. It is the responsibility of the Committee on Academic Misconduct to investigate or establish procedures for the investigation of all reported cases of student academic misconduct. The term "academic misconduct" includes all forms of student academic misconduct wherever committed; illustrated by, but not limited to, cases of plagiarism and dishonest practices in connection with examinations. Instructors shall report all instances o falleged academic misconduct to the committee (Faculty Rule 3335-5-487). See the Code of Student Conduct. Note that in this class, copying homework is considered plariarism.
Disability Statement. Any student who feels she or he may need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact the instructor privately to discuss your specific needs. The Office for Disability Services (614-292-3307) located at Room 150 Pomerene Hall, will coordinate reasonable accommodations for students with documented disabilities.