Aural Skills I

Friday, 12/11: Have a good break! Those of you that didn't complete your MacGamut levels this semester may want to do some work over the holiday - we will start off where we left off this semester and you will be expected to have this semester's levels completed.

Previous Assignments

Tuesday, 11/18: No class on Thursday! We are now working on finishing everything on the syllabus. You need to be finishing your MacGamut levels over the next couple of weeks and working on the latest sightsinging and rhythm reading assignments!Tuesday, 11/11: Sightsinging exam on Thursday. Chapter 4, section 1 and Chapter 3, section 3.

Start working on Chapter 10, sections 1-3 and Chapter 4, sections 2-3.

You should now be working on (or done with) the following MacGamut levels:

• Harmonic - level 2
• Melodic - level 5
• Rhythmic - level 6
• Intervals - level 4
• Chords - level 6
• Scales - level 4

Thursday, 11/6: Expect a little quiz on Tuesday focusing on MacGamut Chords level 3, Rhythm level 4 (compound time) and Melodic level 3. Work on harmonic level 2. To help yourselves, practice with the amazing chord keyboard and go here to see the most common progressions using these chords. Don't panic if you don't understand all of this yet - keep working on it!

Thursday, 10/30: You should be working on the following examples in the sightsinging book:

• Chapter 4 - #181-192.
  • Continue to work on compound time.
• Chapter 4- #193-207
  • Start practicing these using a variety of systems: letter names, fixed do, moveable do, numbers. Use a metronome to keep you steady!
• MacGamut
  • Harmonic - level 2
  • Melodic - level 4
  • Rhythmic - level 5
  • Intervals - level 4
  • Chords - level 5
  • Scales - level 3

Tuesday, 10/23: You should be working on the following examples in the sightsinging book:

• Chapter 4 - #181-192.
  • Perform single line rhythms with metronome and conducting. Use "1 lah lee" system if you choose. Not all of you will need it, but many of you may find it helpful, especially when we move into 16th notes in compound time.
  • Perform duets at the keyboard as usual. I recommend using the metronome for these as well. Start at a very slow tempo!
• Chapter 3 - #148-163
  • Start practicing these using a variety of systems: letter names, fixed do, moveable do, numbers. Use a metronome to keep you steady!
• MacGamut
  • Harmonic - level 1
  • Melodic - level 3
  • Rhythmic - level 4
  • Intervals - level 3
  • Chords - level 4
  • Scales - level 3

Wednesday, 10/15: Those of you that missed the aural skills exam on Tuesday may take it on Thursday morning during the regular class time. You will suffer

Tuesday, 10/14: The grades for your dictation exams are now posted. Those of you that didn't show up today, I may have an unpleasant alternative for you so you can avoid a zero for this grade. You might also be interested to know that I won't be here on Thursday for class. (I will be here on Friday, however.)

Start working on compound time rhythms, Chapter 4 of your sightsinging book.

Thursday, 10/9: Your sightsinging grades are now posted. If you are missing a grade for this or a previous assignment, it is your responsibility to see me.

Dictation exam on Tuesday!! I would wait until Thursday, but I suspect that some of you have plans for the "Reading Days" that we were supposed to have before the hurricane messed it all up. Feel free to email me or visit my office for help.

You will be expected to know material covered in the following sections and levels:

• Intervals 1-2
• Scales 1-3
• Chords 1-2
• Melodic dictation 1-2
• Harmonic dictation 1
• Rhythmic dictation 1-3

Send me your startup files whenever you have these levels completed!

Tuesday, 10/7: Sightsinging exams on Thursday.

• Rhythm: Chapter 1, sections 4-5
• Singing: Chapter 3, sections 1-2 (odd numbers only)

9 am class should come at the following times:

• 9:00-9:20 am - last names beginning A-F
• 9:20-9:40 am - last names beginning G-K
• 9:40-10:00 am - everybody else

10 am class uses signup sheet. If you failed to sign up, show up sometime during the hour and I'll squeeze you in.

Next week we'll be having our MacGamut mid-term. Check here for details soon!

Dictation (MacGamut) mid-term will be on Tuesday, 10/14. You will be expected to know material covered in the following sections and levels:

• Intervals 1-2
• Scales 1-3
• Chords 1-2
• Melodic dictation 1-2
• Harmonic dictation 1
• Rhythmic dictation 1-3

I highly recommend that you send me your startup files as soon as you complete these levels. You won't be graded on it, but it will help me to know what you're doing and it will work as a backup for you in case you have a problem at some point.

Talk to me if you have any questions or problems!

Tuesday, 9/29: Please remember, the 10:00 am section of Aural Skills will be meeting in the concert hall (PAC)! Bring your instruments (percussionists excluded). Dr. Charles Young from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point will be teaching the class and I bet it will be fun!

Next week you can expect some quizzing on MacGamut dictation skills. Those of you that still have not sent me a startup file need to do it soon. We're almost halfway through the semester now!

Tuesday, 9/23: OK, 9am class, you left too soon!! You are supposed to wait at least 15 minutes for your teacher and got there within that time! A possible tornado had come through my neighborhood this morning and closed off some of my normal travel routes to school. And my cell phone went dead because I've got no power. Anyhow, work on Chapter 3, section 2 melodies (bass clef) for Thursday.NO CLASSES ON THURSDAY OR FRIDAY!!! What a great opportunity to practice your aural skills material and play party games with your friends!!! Be prepared for Tuesday!!!

Tuesday, 9/16: Sightsinging up to #125. Be prepared to sing individually in class. Keep working on MacGamut levels - begin work on harmonic dictation. Check the university main page for info on the hurricane and class cancellations.

Thursday, 9/11: Practice Chapter 3 sightsinging up to #125. Begin MacGamut intervals levels and continue to work on others as well. Work on rhythmic exercises with half and eighth note beat values. Don't slack off!

Tuesday, 9/9: MacGamut quiz on Thursday covering Scales, Rhythmic, and Melodic dictation (level 1 for each of these). If you failed to show up for your sight singing test today, see me as soon as possible to make it up!

Your grades are now posted!

Thursday, 9/4: Basically same as Tuesday. Be ready for sight singing test. If you missed class and failed to get a time slot, stop by and see me on Friday or Monday (or just come to class on Tuesday and wait your turn). MacGamut quiz on Thursday covering Scales, Rhythmic, and Melodic dictation (level 1 for all [and all for one?]).

Tuesday, 9/2: Your first sight singing exam is scheduled for next Tuesday, Sept. 9. I will have a sign up sheet for you on Thursday. You will be asked to perform rhythmic examples from Chapter 1, sections 1-3. The single line examples should be conducted and the two-part examples performed at the piano. The sight singing examples will be selected from the odd numbers of Chapter 2, sections 1-2. Learn all of these!

Your MacGamut practicing should certainly include scales, rhythmic dictation, and melodic dictation. I will probably give a short quiz based on these next Thursday. If you feel you know enough to work in other sections as well, go ahead.

Thursday, 8/28: Click here for a step by step procedure for getting started with MacGamut. It's simple! Get started on Melodic and Rhythmic dictation sections of the program.

Tuesday, 8/26: Purchase your textbook and MacGamut. Begin work in the sight singing book practice rhythm exercises #1-14 and #25 and sing #60-63 using solfege. After you get your startup file for MacGamut, download the presets (MacGamut levels link on left menu). Send me your startup file after you have loaded the new presets.

Syllabus is up, but calendar is not correct yet, so don't print page 2! Re-numbering of sightsinging examples is going on right now and changes should be complete later today! MacGamut levels and presets are now ready so go ahead. Use the left menu to find them.

Thursday, 8/26/2003: Enjoyed meeting all of you today and can't wait to start torturing you! The first thing you need to do is purchase your textbooks for this class. They can be found at the Carriage House Bookstore on Harrison street across from Stuffy's. You will need Music for Sightsinging by Robert Ottman (this is probably not in yet, but should get here soon) and MacGamut software.

Once you purchase MacGamut you must register it online and get your personalized startup file. You can't run the program without the startup file! You will also need to download the latest presets file which I will have available for you soon.

Download rhythm exercises and sightsinging songs right away, right here.

Rhythms: [.pdf] or [.gif: pg.1 | pg. 2]

Songs: [.pdf] or [.gif]

Start working on group 1 rhythms in 4/4 with conducting and learn the songs with solfege. Try to get going on MacGamut. Send me your startup file as soon as you can so I can be sure that you are doing everything correctly. Email me if you have questions.

CONDUCTING: In case you have forgotten how the conducting pattern for 4/4 goes, click here (give it a minute to load unless you're on a fast connection)