Non-music majors at JMU have the opportunity to take introductory courses in music theory that are centered on foundational aspects of reading, writing, and hearing music. Non-music majors who are interested in the advanced courses included in the menu of options designed primarily for music majors should contact the instructor of the course they wish to take to inquire about the possibility of taking the course.
Click here for the syllabus for MUS 200-0003 (Dr. Stan Fink, M/W 4-5:15PM)
Non-music major theory courses:
Fundamentals of Music (MUS 131, 3 credits)
Offered every Fall and Spring semester, this course is intended for students who have had limited or no exposure to reading or writing music. The course teaches the basics of notation as well as foundational concepts such as scales, intervals, keys, and chords. Students learn both how to notate these foundational items as well as how to hear them.
Introduction to Music Theory and Aural Skills (MUS 140, 4 credits)
Offered every Fall semester, this course is primarily intended for Musical Theater majors, those interested in taking the songwriting class, and music minors who have already developed the skills taught in MUS 131. While the course does review foundational concepts such as scales, intervals, keys, and chords, it does not cover them in the same detail as MUS 131. Instead, the course begins to show students how to use these foundational concepts to craft music. While some classical music is covered, the stylistic emphasis in this course is on folk music, popular music, and musical theater.
