Introduction to musical analysis
Time: 10:30 - 12:30
Location: Keeley Street
Course Code: MD643A
Duration: 10 sessions (over 13 weeks)
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Center for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
What is the course about?
Music analysis helps us better understand a piece of music, broadly explaining how a composer creates it and then how the audience interprets and responds to it. This course will explore a variety of aspects of music, such as melody, harmony, texture, rhythm, and performance directions, to understand both how composers produce work, and why audience members respond to it in particular ways. We will explore a broad selection of music, enabling students to apply analytical skills to many genres and styles, and will provide a set of basic tools in order for participants to explore other music appreciation topics in greater depth.
What will we cover?
- Simple technical aspects of melody, harmony, texture, rhythm, and orchestration
- Musical form and structure
- Musical terminology
- Looking at scores
- A brief guide to historical periods in music.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
- Analyze a variety of ways that composers make use of tools such as melody, harmony, texture, rhythm, and the effect these have on the piece
- Place a piece of music in its historical context in order to understand the stylistic landscape in which it was produced and heard
- Be able to extract information from a score (working from the assumption that participants are NOT able to read music).
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This is a beginners’ course. No prior knowledge of music is assumed but you should have an interest in music and be keen to find out more. You will need to follow written and verbal instructions in English, engage in class discussions and take notes in English.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
You will be taught using a range of techniques including short lectures, slide shows and discussions, practical demonstrations on the piano and guided listening sessions. Courses use a variety of materials including YouTube clips. Links to these are given on handouts on Google Classroom so that further exploration may take place between classes if you wish.
Occasional short preparation tasks, such as listening to a piece or reading a review, may be set from time to time. Listening and reading outside class is encouraged and, once enrolled, further online resources will be available via Google Classroom.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
- Please bring a notebook and pen.
- You may wish to buy some of the music or books recommended in class.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
To find out more about music history classes Music history courses in London and online which lists our full programme of classes ordered by term, and by day of the week. You may then click on each title to read the full course outline.
Pauline Greene studied composition at Nottingham University and then composed, performed and was Musical Director with various theatre companies. She taught flute and composition, performing her music across the UK at various venues, including the Southbank Centre and the Edinburgh Festival, with her group The Concert Party, which she managed and directed. She has taught at the Universities of Middlesex and Hertfordshire, and ran the Music Access course at Morley College. She has taught at Birkbeck since 1984, moving from Music to Arts Management, and also lectures at Goldsmiths. She has given talks at the Royal Opera House, Wigmore Hall and Glyndebourne. At City Lit Pauline teaches a wide range of music history courses, with specialisms in opera, music for dance, theatre and film, musical analysis, and music since 1900. She is still involved in the organisation of small-scale charity concerts and one-off musical events, and she sings and plays with several small groups.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
