Knowledge domains

In Contextual Studies we use different knowledge domains, which are not taught as separate disciplines. They are:

History (musical, general and cultural)
Analysis
Aspects of harmony
Aspects of counterpoint
Research

We draw from them when necessary and relevant in relation to the musical topic on the agenda of that moment.

This means for example for harmony and counterpoint that we talk about aspects of harmony and aspects of counterpoint which are illustrative on that moment.

Harmonic and contrapuntal writing as a discipline and technique are taught in separate courses.

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Subcategories

Analysis

To put it short and simple: by means of analysis we try to figure out "how music works".

Within Contextual Studies we wil concern ourselves In year 1 with general principles of form, structure and texture in music as well as several basic and "iconic" form types and form procedures.

We will be analyzing with and without scores (aurally).

Musical analysis as a discipline has a relatively short history going back to the late 19th century.

Of course throughout history there have been people have tried to understand music and the principles and patterns behind it, practical (how to compose/write music and how to peform it) but as a theoretical/academic discipline it's very young.

A very good article is by Ian D. Bent and Anthony Pople in Grove Music Online: https://doi.org/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.41862 (this link brongs you to www.kb.nl, Oxford Music Online, if you have subscribed (see Learning Materials).

Within hanze library: https://doi-org.nlhhg.idm.oclc.org/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.41862

Harmony

In current western music working with chords or harmonies is one of the key characteristics. During the centuries different approaches were used. The meaning of the term harmony goes back to the Greek harmonia, which had in ancient times primarily mathematical and philosophical connotations. From the seventeenth century until the present day the so called "triad-based music" has been dominant. The theory of harmony developed into a separate theoretical-practical discipline. The most important coding systems which evolved during the last centuries are: