Elements and Performance Criteria

Purposes for which functional harmony is analysed may include:

performance

accompaniment and/or backup

research for:
performance
improvisation
academic purposes
written articles, program notes, criticism or marketing
educational purposes and materials
performance commentary

Specific musical elements that may be identified as harmonic indicators include:

key signatures

melody

harmony/chords

tonality

scales

accidentals

ornamentation

suspensions

passing notes

form/structure

transposition

texture

style

genre

cultural context

relationship to text

Musical symbols to be analysed include:

staves and leger lines

clefs

key signatures

accidentals

symbols and terms indicating:
notes
chords
repeats
phrasing

Vocabulary may include:

all musical terms commonly used to analyse functional harmony in the nominated musical style or tradition

Style may include:

traditional, including European classical, or traditional music of any other cultures that is harmony based

all contemporary musical styles

jazz

world or ethnic music that is harmony based

popular

country

folk

all other tonal musical styles, genres and/or traditions

Listening included:

accurately interpreting the following aural cues to identify functional harmony/harmonic structure:
melody
bass line
intervals
scales
chords and their characteristics
chord progressions
cadences
accidentals
key areas
modulations
relevant harmonic systems and practice

Musicianship may include:

repertoire knowledge and music history

instrument knowledge such as transposition practice

harmony and scale systems

music analyses and interpretation

musical forms, systems, practices and customs

reading and/or writing music using written music, sheet music and chord charts

aural interpretation of harmonic cues

analysing written cues from a score

chordal and melodic formulae

Technical knowledge may include:

understanding of music notation custom and practice

musical elements in harmonic music systems

improvisation

Underpinning knowledge and skills
Assessment must include evidence of the following knowledge and skills:
Musicianship
understanding and knowledge of repertoire relevant to chosen musical specialisation
understanding and applying relevant harmonic protocols in analysing performance or written music
awareness of genres and styles and their musical forms and conventions aurally and/or in written notation
interpreting chords, scales, melodies, forms, textures, cadences or other elements of musical organisation aurally or from written notation
Technical
understanding musical form and harmonic conventions relevant to specialisation
identifying musical elements including a variety of scales, chord sequences and music systems, key signatures in live, recorded or written music to determine harmonic structures
familiarity with music in a variety of instrumental/vocal combinations
familiarity with music in a variety of styles
Expression
applying knowledge of expressive style relevant to harmonic analysis

Linkages to other units
This unit has strong linkages to, and may be assessed with the following units:
CUSMGE04A Analyse music
CUSMGE14A Read music for performance and analysis
CUSMGE05A Write music copy, criticism and/or program notes
CUSMGE13A Apply music knowledge and artistic judgment

Critical aspects of evidence
The following evidence is critical to the judgment of competence in this unit:
demonstrated understanding of musical elements relevant to harmonic structure in music

Method and context of assessment
Evidence of competence may be obtained through a variety of methods including:
oral questioning on strategies and methods used in harmonic analysis
authenticated details of relevant courses or training sessions
authenticated details of relevant commercial or other achievements involving harmonic analysis
relevant portfolio of candidate's analytical or critical work
a harmonic analysis assignment
case studies as a basis for discussion of a variety of analytical methods, strategies and approaches
written or oral examination of harmonic analysis from recorded and/or written music appropriate to the area of specialisation nominated by the candidate
Competency in this unit may need to be assessed over a period of time, in a range of contexts and on multiple occasions involving a combination of direct, indirect and supplementary forms of evidence. It is a requirement of this unit that the assessee must nominate the area of music specialisation to be assessed.
Assessment of this unit must include direct examination of harmonic analysis of at least one piece selected by the assessor in the nominated area of specialisation.
The assessee may specify whether the score interpretation will be examined by oral questioning or in writing, depending on the style of music being analysed and the nominated area of music specialisation. The analysis should be presented orally or in writing depending on the style nominated by the assessee.

Resource requirements
Competency in this unit should be assessed using all of the relevant resources commonly used in aural and/or written harmonic analysis relevant to the candidate's nominated area of specialisation. Specific assessment tools should include:
printed scores or recorded performance as required by the specialisation to be assessed
recorded music if relevant to the assessment and/or the work being assessed
recordings or work portfolios

Communicating ideas and information
(3)

Collecting analysing and organising information
(3)

Planning and organising activities
(2)

Working with others and in teams
(2)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
(2)

Solving problems
(3)

Using technology
(2)