Module: Harmonic Ear Training & Sight Singing

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Harmonic Ear Training & Sight Singing
Module Code	MPA1064 (ITS: MC331)
Faculty	Theology, Philosophy & Music	School	Humanities & Social Sciences
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5

Description

A module focussing on connecting harmonic knowledge, sight-reading skills and inner hearing with singing. Taught through singing, and particularly suited to singers, though useful for any instrument, this module concentrates on two areas of aural training: Harmonic ear training and sight singing skills (without solfa). The concepts of modal interchange harmony, substitute dominants, and modulation will be introduced. Voicings containing multiple tensions and upper structure triads will also be covered. More extensive transcription work of real music will be incorporated. .

Learning Outcomes

1. Have a unified grasp of musical material by connecting theoretical understanding with aural comprehension
2. Gain mastery of practical aural skills including sight-singing skills and accurate inner hearing
3. Be able to quickly and confidently process more complex levels of music as performers
4. Be able to quickly learn and interpret music from lead sheets and scores

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	24	Weekly, A one-hour group class
Independent Study	101	Independent practice of aural recognition techniques
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	11175	Part of Term	Semester 1 & 2
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Greg Felton	Module Teacher	Izumi Kimura

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
In Class Test	Real-time performance of a series of tasks involving aural recognition and sight-singing	50%	As required
In Class Test	Real time performance of a series of tasks taken from materials covered in class, including aural recognitions, sight-singing, and dictation	40%	As required
Written Exam	Sight-reading and singing a lead-sheet and an atonal melody	10%	Sem 2 End

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Harmonic ear training
•altered seventh chords

•chord extensions

•chord/scale relationships

•chord substitutions

• harmonic progressions.

Sight singing skills (without solfa)
•Singing and aurally identifying intervals in tonal and non-tonal situations

• Mastering the skills to hear, recognize, read and write music through the use of intervals.

•Singing music that is chromatic, tonally ambiguous or rapidly modulating.

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Prosser, Steve: 2015, Intervallic Ear Training for Musicians, Advance Music,
Donelian, Armen: 2015, Training the Ear vol.1 For the Improvising Musician, Advance Music, 3892210373
Robert Starer: 0, Rhythmic Training, Warner Brothers Publications, 84, 0769293751

Articles:
None

Other Resources

App: Jakobsen, Hans Lavdal, 2016, EarMaster, EarMaster ApS,