Freshman and Sophomore Music Theory

An Overview

The traditional curriculum for College freshmen and sophomore music majors can possibly be summarized as follows:

Freshman Music Theory:

• Music Fundamentals
• Voice leading of triads and seventh chords
• Non-harmonic tones
• Analysis of music literature containing the above items

Sophomore Music Theory:

• Secondary Function Chords
• Mode Mixture (also called borrowed chords)
• The Neapolitan Chord
• Augmented Sixth Chords
• Late Romantic Harmonic Techniques
• Analysis of music literature containing the above items

There are several undergraduate texts that also incorporate musical form and early 20^th century musical techniques. Additionally, the sequence of the objectives can vary greatly among the commonly used college texts.

Ultimately, all freshman and sophomore music majors must know, at a minimum, the traditional curriculum listed above. Since all these topics will be covered on this web site, simply choose the area you wish to study, regardless of the sequence of your school.

Yours musically,

Mike McGowan