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Figured Bass Realisation 1 (MUSI40103)

HonoursPoints: 12.5On Campus (Southbank)

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Overview

Availability
Semester 1
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Students in this class will learn how to realise at their instrument a figured bass from the seventeenth or eighteenth century in a stylish and idiomatic fashion. We first learn how to read simple figures before progressing to more complex ones. Attention will be paid to correct voice-leading, melodic and harmonic improvisation, and differentiating between the predominant national styles. This subject will be of interest to any keyboardist or harmony-generating instrumentalist who wishes to refine their contrapuntal skills and knowledge as well as learn how to participate effectively in over two centuries of repertoire.

Intended learning outcomes


  • Demonstrate knowledge of the principal developments in basso continuo styles and techniques
  • Realise at sight a moderately difficult piece of basso continuo
  • Develop foundational practical skills in the performance practice issues related to basso continuo
  • Interpret stylistic and historical factors that have influenced the culture of figured bass realization from the seventeenth century to now
  • Evaluate and criticise source materials and secondary literature in this field, as well as critique contemporaneous figured bass realisations
  • Critique and evaluate contemporaneous figured bass realisations

Generic skills

On completion of this subject, students should have developed:

  • a receptive attitude to new ideas
  • the capacity for independent and critical reflection
  • knowledge, skills and practices required for independent critical inquiry and research-based writing and presentation
  • the ability to identify and critically analyse primary source materials

Last updated: 3 November 2022

Eligibility and requirements

Prerequisites

Code Name Teaching period Credit Points
MUSI10023 Music Language 1: the Diatonic World
Summer Term (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Southbank)
 12.5

or by permission of the Coordinator

Corequisites

None

Non-allowed subjects

Code Name Teaching period Credit Points
MUSI30257 Figured Bass Realisation 1
Not available in 2024
 12.5

Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)

The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.

Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home

Last updated: 3 November 2022

Assessment

Additional details

  • Final exam (sight reading, improvisation, transpositions, prepared piece, 15-minutes): LO 2, 3. Due in week 12 (50%)
  • 3 short notated realisations with commentary (each commentary 600-800 words each): LO 4, 5. Realisation 1 due in week 4, realisation 2 and 3 due in week 10 (40%)
  • Active participation in class workshops and discussions: LO 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. Ongoing (10%)

Last updated: 3 November 2022

Dates & times

  • Semester 1
    Principal coordinatorJane Davidson
    Mode of deliveryOn Campus (Southbank)
    Contact hours
    Total time commitment170 hours
    Teaching period 4 March 2019 to 2 June 2019
    Last self-enrol date15 March 2019
    Census date31 March 2019
    Last date to withdraw without fail10 May 2019
    Assessment period ends28 June 2019

Time commitment details

170 hours

Last updated: 3 November 2022

Further information

  • Texts

    Prescribed texts

    “Continuo Playing According to Handel: His Figured Bass Exercises” ed. David Ledbetter (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1990)

  • Related Handbook entries

    This subject contributes to the following:

    TypeName
    CourseGraduate Diploma in Music
    Informal specialisationMusicology/Ethnomusicology
    Informal specialisationPerformance
    Informal specialisationComposition

Last updated: 3 November 2022