Instructor: Carl Richardson

Email: richardsoncc@lamarpa.edu

Phone: (409) 984-6353

Office Hours: MW (10-11, 12-1) T/Tr (12-3) F (12-1)

Additional Contact Information:

Introduction to the basic elements of music theory, including scales, intervals, keys, triads, elementary ear training, notation, meter, and rhythm. Course does not apply to a music major degree.

Berklee Music Theory Book 1, 2nd Edition, Paul Schmeling

Textbook Purchasing Statement: A student attending Lamar State College Port Arthur is not under any obligation to purchase a textbook from the college-affiliated bookstore. The same textbook may also be available from an independent retailer, including an online retailer.

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- Construct all major and minor scales and key signatures

- Construct simple and compound intervals, triads and seventh chords of any quality

- Identify and perform basic rhythmic and pitch patterns common in tonal music, and properly notate basic rhythms in simple or compound meters

- Identify fundamental musical elements aurally and/or on the keyboard

- Use appropriate musical vocabulary to describe theoretical concepts

PERFORMANCE

1. Applies commercial music performance techniques to professional practice.

2. Applies commercial music sound engineering technology to support performance practices.

3. Applies basic music industry principles to professional practice.

4. Demonstrates professional behavior as characterized by a commitment to the profession.

* Communication skills: Students will demonstrate effective written, oral and/or visual communication.

* Critical Thinking Skills: Students will engage in creative and/or innovative thinking, and/or inquiry, analysis, evaluation, synthesis of information, organizing concepts and constructing solutions.

* Empirical and Quantitative Skills: Students will demonstrate applications of scientific and mathematical concepts.

* Teamwork: Students will demonstrate the ability to work effectively with others to support a shared purpose or goal and consider different points of view.

* Social Responsibility: Students will demonstrate intercultural competency and civic knowledge by engaging effectively in local, regional, national and/or global communities.

* Personal Responsibility: Students will demonstrate the ability to connect choices, actions and consequences to ethical decision-making.

- Notation

- Intervals

- Scales

- Rhythm

- Melody

- Key Signatures

- Chords (Harmony)

- Keyboard/Piano

- Solfeg 

- Vocabulary

All classes are cancelled on the following dates:

Labor Day - Monday, Sept. 7th

Thanksgiving - Thursday, Nov. 26th & Friday, Nov. 27th

Week 1: Intro, Discussion, Syllabus

Week 2: The Keyboard, Musical Alphabet & The Staff / Intro to Rhythm

Week 3: Rhythm, Time Signature, Pulse & Meter

Week 4: Intro to Singing/Solfeg, Accidentals & Scales

Week 5: Key Signatures, more singing

Week 6: Building Chords, Chord Theory

Week 7: Midterm Review

Week 8: Midterm

Week 9: Intervals

Week 10: Intervals cont. Week 11: Further Scales & Chords study

Week 12: Further Rhythm and Keyboard study

Week 13: Further Singing, Intervals & Scales study

Week 14: Comprehensive study

Week 15: Final Exam Review

Week 16: Final Exam

* Quizzes may or may not be announced. Be prepared for pop quizzes.

Tuesday, December 8th, 2026

90 - 100=A

80 - 89=B

70 - 79=C

60 - 69=D

59 and Below = F

Homework & Assignments (In-Class-Work) 20%

Quizzes 20%

Attendance 20%

Mid-Term Exam 20%

Final Exam 20%

To discuss grades or anything class related, schedule an office visit. Please refer to office hours listed above.

Students may email me at richardsoncc@lamarpa.edu. I will respond as soon as possible.

Research has shown a cause and effect relationship between attendance and college success.

Policies for this course are as described below: You get one 1 free absence before your lates/absences start to count against your grade in the attendance category. After that, EACH UNEXCUSED ABSENCE DEDUCTS 10% OF YOUR ATTENDANCE GRADE. Three lates = 1 absence.

Excused absences must meet the following criteria: death in the family, medical related emergency, illness with doctor's note. Any cause beyond this will be left up to instructor discretion. Excused absences will be considered on a case by case basis.

YOU MUST E-MAIL YOUR INSTRUCTOR BEFORE YOU MISS CLASS with an explanation of why you will be absent. The date and time of the e-mail will be considered. Excused absences are conditional upon this. Any deviation will be considered at the discretion of the instructor.

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Be sure to check your campus email and Course Homepage using MyLSCPA campus web portal. You can also access your grades, transcripts, academic advisors, degree progress, and other services through MyLSCPA.

Academic honesty is expected from all students, and dishonesty in any form will not be tolerated. Please consult the LSCPA policies (Academic Dishonesty section in the Student Handbook) for consequences of academic dishonesty.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Accessibility Services Coordinator, Room 119, in the Ruby Fuller Building. The phone number is (409) 984-6241.

No food or tobacco products are allowed in the classroom. Only students enrolled in the course are allowed in the classroom, except by special instructor permission. Use of electronic devices is prohibited.

This syllabus is part of LSCPA's efforts to comply with Texas House Bill 2504.

As per Texas law and LSCPA policy, all LSCPA employees, including faculty, are required to report allegations or disclosures of child abuse or neglect to the designated authorities, which may include a local or state law enforcement agency or the Texas Department of Family Protective Services. For more information about mandatory reporting requirements, see LSCPA's Policy and Procedure Manual.

LSCPA is committed to establishing and maintaining an environment that is free from all forms of sex discrimination, including sexual harassment, sexual violence, and other forms of sexual misconduct. All LSCPA employees, including faculty, have the responsibility to report disclosures of sexual misconduct, including sexual harassment, sexual assault (including rape and acquaintance rape), domestic violence, dating violence, relationship violence, or stalking, to LSCPA's Title IX Coordinator, whose role is to coordinate the college's response to sexual misconduct. For more information about Title IX protections, faculty reporting responsibilities, options for confidential reporting, and the resources available for support visit LSCPA's Title IX website.

For more information about the Clery Act and crime reporting, see the Annual Security & Fire Safety Report and the Campus Security website.

If you have a grievance, complaint, or concern about this course that has not been resolved through discussion with the Instructor, please consult the Department Chair.