Aural training is predominantly a practical subject which requires the student to take an active part in the lessons and to work independently. During the course, the student should acquire fundamental aural skills relating to melody, rhythm and harmony. The course requires the student to acquire methodical insights and to apply those insights in musical performance. The work done on this course provides a basis for further specialisation in Year 2.
The subject is followed by Aural training II (GEHØR11).
Learning objectives
On completion of this course, the student is expected to
- have adopted basic methods for using their ear actively and independently when making music
- demonstrate basic listening skills to identify, remember and reproduce (sing/play/describe/write) both details and larger structures in a musical sequence
- be able to accurately read, structure, memorise and reproduce (sing/play) a musical score
Overview
The course covers tonal and atonal melody, tonal harmony and rhythm. Developing practical aural skills and strengthening the inner ear are central to the course. The learning materials will be taken from different musical genres. The work will involve both performed and written music.
Practical/oral exercises may include imitation, memorisation and improvisation exercises, tempo training, intonation, practising score-reading techniques, sight-reading, combination exercises and aural analysis. Written exercises may include notation techniques, dictation exercises, transcription, correction and completion exercises.
Detailed course contents can be found in the semester schedule.
Structure
Tuition takes place in groups. Lectures, discussions and study groups may also be used. The students are usually split into groups according to their level of skill/audition results. Their chosen study programme and genre may also be taken into account where appropriate.
Students with an attendance figure of less than 20% lose their right to actively participate in the course and to ongoing assessment and supervision.
For a summary of indicative workload and structure, please see the “Structure” section of the relevant programme of study.
Students who choose assessment option 1 are automatically registered for tuition/supervision and assessment in the subject in line with the progression set out in the education plan. Students who choose assessment option 2 must register for the exam by 1 February.
Course requirements
The student must submit 10 short written assignments. This number may be reduced if the course tutor wishes to set fewer but longer assignments.
Deadline: All course requirements must have been met by 15 April.
Final assessment
All course requirements must be approved prior to obtaining a final assessment.
Assessment is based on learning objectives. The final assessment is given as a pass/fail mark, which is determined by the course instructor based on one of the two options below. The student must choose one assessment option at the start of the semester.
Option 1 (standard option)
Students who choose option 1 commit themselves to attend at least 80% of the course. The final assessment is made by the course tutor based on the student’s level of achievement throughout the course period.
Option 2
The final assessment is made on the basis of a practical/oral exam lasting approx. 20 minutes and comprising prepared and unprepared exercises. The student’s ability to actively apply the course content will be given considerable weight. The assessment is carried out by at least two internal examiners.
Any student who wishes to use option 2 must email eksamen@nmh.no before 1 February in the second semester of the course.
New assessment
In the event of a fail, the student must sit a practical exam as described under Option 2 above.