Pedagogy of Chromatic Harmony and Form
Jennifer Sterling Snodgrass · 2020
Abstract As the study of music theory becomes more advanced with the introduction of chromaticism and formal studies, there is an opportunity for instructors and students to create a dialogue based on interpretations and performance. Starting with sound is essential in teaching the more advanced topics, and students should be experiencing the music through singing, playing, and listening before analytical conclusions are made. Through visual interpretations, analogies, and incorporation of a multitude of genres, students are able to make meaningful connections between harmony and formal structures, harmony and textual references, and how formal structures are created within a musical context. These more advanced levels encourage students to become independent thinkers and to create their own understanding of “how” and “why” the music was composed by creating their own analytical discoveries.