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Online Music Theory Reference

 

Ratings

Overall Rating:

4 stars
Content Quality: 4 stars
Effectiveness: 4 stars
Ease of Use: 4 stars
Reviewed: Apr 29, 2003 by Music
Overview: Online Music Theory Reference is an online music theory dictionary and tutorial. The site contains sections on intervals, chords and scales. Each section has a number of sub-topics that address specific areas for that section. This site is part of a much larger site with articles covering many areas of music theory as well as music history.
Learning Goals: The learning goals are to provide students with concise explanations and
examples of the fundamentals of music theory and musicianship (i.e., scales, intervals and chords.)
Target Student Population: This site is directed at college freshman music majors.
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills: Basic computer and Internet skills are the only prerequisite knowledge needed to access and use this site. Familiarity with basic music theory terms and
concepts is useful if not required for students using this site.
Type of Material: Reference material.
Recommended Uses: The site should be used as an online support reference for a first year music
theory or musicianship course.
Technical Requirements: This site works well with any computer with an online connection. The examples are supported by QuickTime audio.

Evaluation and Observation

Content Quality

Rating: 4 stars
Strengths: The information and examples on this site are clear, accurate and well
organized.
Concerns: Using figured bass symbols in some of the topics could be misleading. For
example an Italian sixth chord is labeled 6I which could be mistaken for a tonic triad in first inversion. In other cases a student's understanding of a notated example may require some deductive reasoning on the part of the student due to
the way a notated example is formated and labeled.

Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool

Rating: 4 stars
Strengths: As a concise music theory reference or tutorial with notated and audio examples
this site provides a solid support reference for most pedagogical approaches to
teaching the fundamentals of music theory or musicianship. The way in which
each section is sub-divided allows teachers to easily adapt and organize the material for their own instructional sequence.
Concerns: Audio examples come in the form of downloadable files. Constant downloading by
the student while working through this site may disrupt the learning process.

Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty

Rating: 4 stars
Strengths: This site is easy to use for both students and teachers.
Concerns: None.

Other Issues and Comments: None.
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