To familiarise students with different terminologies of popular music theory.

To enable students to use intervals, chords and scales in relation to popular music.

To develop students' use of notation and chord symbols in relation to popular music.

To develop students' aural skills.

To develop students' practical use of these theoretical concepts in performance.

(LO1) Students will be able to use different terminologies of music theory.

(LO2) Students will be able to identify and construct intervals, chords, scales and rhythmic elements in both written and aural form.

(LO3) Students will be able to use key elements of notation relevant to the study of popular music, including chord symbols and lead sheets.

(LO4) Students will develop their aural skills in relation to popular music.

(LO5) Students will develop an understanding of the relationship between popular music theory and practice

(S1) Communication (oral, written and visual) - Listening skills.

(S2) Working in groups and teams - Group action planning.

(S3) Communication (oral, written and visual) - Following instructions/protocols/procedures.

(S4) Communication (oral, written and visual) - Presentation skills - written.

A series of online lectures, seminars and tutorials will take place, which will explore such topics as:

scales, keys, modes, chord construction, the use of diatonic and non-diatonic chords, rhythm and aural skills.

In seminars, topics may be explored more deeply, and regular formative tests will take place. One-to-one tutorials tailored to the students' individual needs will be available to consolidate students' learning.

Teaching Method 1 - Lecture
Description: Each week the online lecture will cover an aspect of popular music theory, with examples of how they have been applied and suggestions on how they might be used in the students’ practical work.
Scheduled directed student hours: 1 per week
Attendance recorded: Yes

Teaching Method 2 - Seminar/Workshop
Description: The workshop will be a discussion of the theoretical topic for that week including listening to examples suggested by the tutor and the students, who will be encouraged to respond to the lecture and bring ideas along. There will also be practical exploration of these concepts in groups or individually (students will be asked to bring instruments and the teaching facilities should accommodate this) to reinforce the connection between theory and practice. The whole group should be split to accommodate numbers, so that either two or three of these sessions should run per week.
Scheduled directed student h ours: 1 hour
Attendance recorded: Yes

Teaching Method 3 - Tutorials
Description: Students may also book online tutorials (Zoom/Skype) individually or in small groups to cover topic areas needing extra clarification. These tutorials should be booked as needed as students typically absorb the material at different rates and encounter problems in different areas.