Arts: Music   

This is the second in a six-course series on the music of Beethoven, in commemoration of the 200th anniversary of his death in 1827. We’ll look at and listen to his last four symphonies, exploring how Beethoven expanded and changed the symphonic form from his earlier symphonies and how the spirit of Romanticism began to play a role. No previous knowledge is expected. The course will be mostly lecture, using PowerPoint and YouTube for musical examples.

NOTE: This course is part of an online share with OLLI at the University of Nevada, Reno.

Using a combination of lecture, discussion, demonstration and participation, students will study the fundamentals of music theory, beginning with the notes, intervals and chords of the C-major scale. Each week we will work through exercises in the assigned workbook, progressing through major and minor scales, and chords and intervals. Students are invited to bring their own instruments to class. Participants will learn the basic blues chord progression, which is the foundation of American folk and popular music. The class will be relaxed and fun, and students will be encouraged to create their own songs and share them with the class.

NOTE: Required workbook: “Music Theory Workbook for all Musicians” by Chris Bowman, $16.99, available on Amazon.

Tuning a musical instrument to the Western 12-note scale requires compromises in the “distance” between notes. Temperaments are tuning systems that incorporate these compromises by “tempering” (adjusting) the pitches to meet different musical needs. Various tuning systems achieve these compromises in different ways, resulting in different sounding chords. This course will demonstrate why the compromises are necessary, how they are achieved and how we perceive them. The course will present and demonstrate the physical properties of sound, the origin of the 12-note scale and a history of various temperaments that arose to tune those 12 notes, including Pythagorean, just, meantone, well and equal. What have we lost by using equal temperament since the 20th century, and what have we gained?

NOTE: The instructors will use PowerPoint, demonstrations and audio examples live and from the internet. Some knowledge of music will be useful for a full understanding of temperament. 

Anyone can write a song! Whether you are a seasoned lyricist or have never written a song at all, this course will help you create something totally new. Some class time will be spent listening to and analyzing songs that are well-crafted. We will discuss how the example songs can be used as guides and inspiration. Most of the class will be spent doing writing exercises that will result in the beginning of songs. Over the ensuing week, each student will expand and refine the in-class work to fashion a song. We will listen to and talk about the completed (or incomplete) songs the following week. 

NOTE: The course will require significant time outside class. It is highly recommended that each student be able to play an instrument. No one has to be an accomplished player, but basic knowledge of chords is helpful.  

We all know the piano is a musical instrument. But what is going on inside the piano? How is a piano different from a harpsichord? What does it mean to say a piano is “in tune” and how do you tell? Through lecture, Q&A and hands-on exploration, we’ll see the evolution from harpsichords to fortepianos to pianos, how the “machine” parts work and how pianos are tuned. We will look at a harpsichord, an upright piano and a grand piano and take parts out to see how different they are. This course will appeal to people interested in music and to those who like to know how things work. A complementary course this term offers the theory and practical application (including demonstrations) of different tuning systems (temperaments). Take them both for twice the fun! 

NOTE: The second session of this course will be taught at the SOU Music Building. Liability waiver required to participate.