SYLLABUS 

 

Instructor - Andrew James Clark - www.andrewjamesclark.ca

 

Harmony Nine - Basic Harmony 

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Level Nine Harmony class initiates the lengthly exploration of voice leading principles and their typical function in classical music."Voice Leading" is the action notes take when maneuvering from one triad to the next, and is the process by which harmonies are synthesized into a convincing chord progression. The most consistently effective voice leading principles are found in the music  J.S. Bach, and thus, we prioritize the study his music. Students must have a complete understanding of triads, chord qualities and chord symbols before entering a Harmony class.

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What one experiences is his or her first harmony class is typically indicative of whether or not they truly learned the concepts in earlier grades, or whether they mindlessly memorized them for an exam. 

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Harmony Ten - Intermediate Harmony

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Level 10 Harmony is a much smaller course than Level 9 and ARCT Harmony. In addition to what was taught in level 9, students are now required to write in keyboard style, utilize V9 and V13 chords, draw from a larger variety of applied chords, and analyze fugal expositions. Since there are fewer new concepts than what was presented in Level 9 and ARCT Harmony, students are simply required to do the same things "more quickly" in regards to harmonic analysis and part writing. Students must have mastered Level 9 voice leading rules before entering Level 10.

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ARCT Harmony - Romantic Harmony

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ARCT Harmony is one of three supplementary written courses required to complete an ARCT in performance. The course expands on the concepts learned in Level 9 & Level 10 by adding additional chromatic harmonies such as augmented sixth chords (Germ, Fr, It), Neapolitan Chords (bII6) and common tone diminished seventh chords (CTº7). The use of modal mixture will see students write in major and minor modes simultaneously as well as realize large excerpts of figured bass in keyboard style. A large vocabulary of chord progressions and a masterful command of voice leading is required before entering ARCT harmony as students are expected to compose a short piece of music unaided.

 

Keyboard Harmony - Figured Bass (non-RCM course)

 

While in harmony class we learn what good voice leading looks like, keyboard harmony teaches us what good voice leading feels like. You need both skills to succeed. Being able to sense harmony in your fingers will make you faster, smarter, and more resilient than your peers, and will provide a foundation on which to learn tonal counterpoint later on. For piano players keyboard harmony represents the synthesis of theory class with practical lessons. For non pianists, keyboard harmony solidifies their harmonic and analytical skills. Keyboard harmony is the foundation of classical music, and practicing it will remove the barriers preventing your musical thoughts from becoming your musical reality. (This course was designed by Andrew James Clark. It is not related to the RCM's keyboard harmony course.)

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ARCT Analysis - Classical Form

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The ARCT Analysis course provides advanced students with the vocabulary and awareness needed to effectively identify structural aspects of musical form, and discuss their implications in regards to tonal organization. While advanced 20th century topics such as twelve tone composition, serial music and ordered pitch set labels are discussed, the majority of the examination will concern itself with the analysis of fugue and sonata form. Students must be able to recall the advanced chords they learned in ARCT harmony in order to achieve success. Students should also acquaint themselves with William E. Caplin's basic concepts of phrase analysis such as sentences and periods, which are not covered in previous grades, but are required here. 

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