The Foundational Musicianship course runs through all music majors at ANU. Here students will develop core skills underpinning analytical and practical engagement in a variety of musical idioms, including classical, jazz, and popular styles. In this course, students apply their knowledge of functional harmony to gain a deeper appreciation of music while developing greater fluency in reading and interpreting different modes of music notation. Analytical skills are complimented by relevant aural skills, including audiation (inner hearing) and aural awareness of related melodic, harmonic, and rhythmic structures.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- apply critical thinking through written reflection and verbal discussion demonstrating theoretical understanding and an ability to apply the core elements of music to creative practice;
- fluently apply theoretical knowledge through analysis of music scores using appropriate terminology and notation;
- demonstrate an ability to read and interpret relevant music notation, including the inner hearing of melody, harmony, and rhythm, through sight-singing, sight-reading; and improvisation activities; and
- aurally identify and interpret the various elements of music, including pitch, chords, harmony, and rhythm, as demonstrated through notation and performance tasks.
Indicative Assessment
- Mid-semester exam (20) [LO 1,2,3,4]
- Orchestration and analysis project (40) [LO 1,2,3,4]
- End of semester exam (40) [LO 1,2,3,4]
The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
130 hours of total student learning time made up from:
a) 48 hours of contact over 12 weeks including lectures, tutorials and workshops; and
b) 82 hours of independent study.
Requisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
Provided via Wattle
Assumed Knowledge
When enrolling in this course, you should have a basic acquaintance with fundamentals of Western music notation and music theory (intervals, triads etc).
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 12
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
First Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3014 | 23 Feb 2026 | 02 Mar 2026 | 31 Mar 2026 | 29 May 2026 | In Person | N/A |