MUSIC 270Music Theory 1
- Units
- 0.50
- Faculty
- Arts
- Subject
- Music
When it runs
- F24
- W25
- S25
- F25
- W26
- S26
- F26
- W27
- S27
Ran in 7 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: scheduled, 2 lecture sections. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.
Using the rules of Western art music voice-leading and harmony from the Medieval, Renaissance, and early Baroque periods, students will learn to create melodies and harmony in modal and early tonal music through short original compositions and analysis. Upon completion of the course students will be able to identify and create using species counterpoint, analyze music using scale degrees, figured bass, melodic figures and roman numerals, and harmonize melodies in two to four voice textures using the church modes and major and minor scales. Students will also develop their musicianship skills through singing, melodic dictation, and basic keyboard skills.
Prerequisites
- Complete 1 of the following
- Must have completed the following:
- MUSIC111 - Fundamentals of Music Theory (0.50)
- A basic knowledge of scales, triads, and Western music notation is required.
- Must have completed the following:
Antirequisites
None listed.
Leads to
Fall 2026 sections
| Section | Class | Enrolled | Meets |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEC 001 | 4444 | 24 / 40 | MW 13:00–14:20 F 13:00–13:50 |
Winter 2027 sections
| Section | Class | Enrolled | Meets |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEC 001 | 4325 | 0 / 40 | MW 13:00–14:20 F 13:00–13:50 |
| LEC 701 | 1734 | 26 / 9999 | Online or by arrangement |
Reviewed on UW Flow
86% liked it82% easy72% useful
From 59 ratings and 15 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.
I took RCM theory up to the ARCT level, but that's not required. I did next-to-nothing in terms of studying, but there's a lot of workload (practicing for keyboard tests, vocal tests in solfege, weekly homework assignments) as well as testing (theory tests and dictation). It's not bad, considering you can mess up on stuff and know that it's only worth 2% of your mark :O But without the music background, you may be creating a lot of work for yourself. Show up to class!
Jan 2017 · liked it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
This course will be easy if you are familiar with Grade 2 rudiments offered by the RCM. There are various homework assignments so make sure you get the textbook/workbook. You were also required to sing as part of the testing
Nov 2012 · liked it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
Although "A basic knowledge of scales, triads, and music notation is required", this course is significantly easier and less time-consuming if you have strong fundamentals in music theory and voice leading (RCM lvl 9 or Grade 12 Music AMU4M).
This course teaches you music theory and harmony from a different perspective and time period than RCM (from an earlier time period). I found a lot of the things I knew previously to be useful, but it was quite interesting to apply them in a new context (eg. writing 4-part harmony in modes rather than major/minor).
You have an assignment, a quiz, and an online practice thing (Artusi) each week. As someone who finished RCM lvl 10, I found everything…Apr 2025 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
If you took RCM harmony 9, most of the content should be familiar/review. I would say there is a lot of content for someone who doesn't have a lot of previous music theory experience. For me the content itself is pretty hard, but our prof made it much easier to understand. It is a mandatory course if you want to take a music minor.
Jul 2023 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
Does require effort for 90+, easy low 80s. I spent around 6-8h/week (mostly grading and being a perfectionist) and finished with a 98% (ARCT experience). Ear training is around gr 5-8 RCM + church modes. Theory is equivalent to gr 8-9 RCM, rules are slightly diff.
The worksheets done in class are the same as the graded assignments. Although kritik can be unpredictable depending on who grades your work, the feedback provided is very useful and they have great customer support. All you really need to study are the rules from the core 3-4 chapters and some chord progressions.
Final and midterm are free if u understand 80% of content, final is only 15% (basically all assignments combined…May 2023 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
Discussed on r/uwaterloo
17 posts and comments in 16 threads mention MUSIC 270, July 2011 to December 2024. Quoted word for word, newest first; each reply sits under the post and the comment that started its branch. Search r/uwaterloo for newer posts.
Winter 2024
Free courses 4 points, 2 comments
u/PailsInCompartments: “So I just realise that MUSIC 270 requires a 4-month subscription of USD34.99 💀 Any similar courses y’all recommend taking instead? Something easy but fun, doesn’t have to be MUSIC too Or do y’all recommend sticking to it or are they other methods to getting around it?”
Fall 2023
How to know courses don’t have exams or finals? 1 point, 9 comments
u/PailsInCompartments: “… Here is my list of preferred courses: ENGL 335 ENGL 210C THPERF 100 MUSIC 270 SMF 101 ENGL 204 THREPF 102 KOREA 101R MUSIC 240 MUSIC 112 Any general advice for other easy or exam-less courses, or for exchange and International students is very much welcome too; Thank you!”
Spring 2022
3A CS Workload Question 3 points, 11 comments
u/_AsDfGhJkLkJhGfDsA_: “How doable is taking CS 341, CS 350, CS 348, CO 487 and MUSIC 270 in one term? I am considering replacing CO 487 with an easier elective if this workload is too heavy but would taking two electives be a waste? Any advice would be appreciated, thanks!”
Winter 2022
MUSIC111 vs MUSIC270 3 points, 3 comments
u/ElusiveNirvana: “Anyone taken these and know the difference between them? I know the basic of music theory (e.g. major and minor scales) but nothing compared to all you RCM folks. Any suggestions? Thanks!”
Can someone teach me piano please? 2 points, 6 comments
“Just for leisure”
u/SouthernAd8931: “Take MUSIC 270”
Fall 2020
MUSIC 256 Reviews? 5 points, 1 comment
u/clew3: “… I'd also suggest MUSIC 240 (Intro to Jazz) and MUSIC 270 (Music Theory 1) cause they do be veryyyyy birdy. …”
Spring 2019
Bird course?? 0 points, 20 comments
“Hello i’m looking for bird courses that doesn’t have prerequisite such as at least 2A, 3A etc. Also something that doesn’t have a lot of course load and preferably no finals or midterms. …”
u/-MrGoose-: “Courses mentioned in this thread: CLAS104 MUSIC270”
u/Wearewritteninpaint: “MUSIC 270!!”
Fall 2017
Any way to disable UWCourseLinker from posting? 16 points, 26 comments
“posting a reply to my comment I find the bot annoying.”
u/Jackhofmann: “PSYCH 483 PSYCH 484 PSYCH 485 PSYCH 486 PSYCH 490R PSYCH 499A PSYCH 499B PSYCH 499C PSYCH 621 PSYCH 630 PSYCH 677A PSYCH 704A PSYCH 704B PSYCH 707 PSYCH 710 PSYCH 714 PSYCH 717 PSYCH 720A PSYCH 721A …”
u/Jackhofmann: “… MUSIC 216 MUSIC 217 MUSIC 222 MUSIC 226 MUSIC 227 MUSIC 232 MUSIC 253 MUSIC 254 MUSIC 261 MUSIC 270 MUSIC 275 MUSIC 316 MUSIC 317 MUSIC 326 MUSIC 327 MUSIC 363 MUSIC 370 MUSIC 376 MUSIC 380 MUSIC 381 MUSIC 390 MUSIC 426 MUSIC 427 MUSIC 428 MUSIC 492 NANO 701 NANO 702 NE 100 NE …”
Spring 2017
Is there a program you are currently not enrolled in that you would enjoy taking out of interest? 15 points, 66 comments
“For example; you're in CS but would like to take Religious Studies out of curiosity, or a language class to learn a language particularly close to you, etc...”
u/QuoteMaker_: “… CO 487 (Applied Cryptography) CO 480 (Mathematical History) CO 456 (Intro to Game Theory) MUSIC 270 (Music Theory) Almost anything in PHIL”
Spring 2016
CS Course Selection Advice 2 points, 18 comments
“I was wondering what advice people had for electives for incoming Computer Science students. What did you choose as your electives? …”
u/07dosa: “I had lots of fun taking FINE 150, MUSIC 270, and MUSIC 275. MUSIC 270 is just a theory course, but both FINE 150 and MUSIC 275 require you to create actual pieces. ... but I ended up taking 9 CS 4xx courses. I'm too mathie. lol”
Spring 2015
If you could take any class at the university what would it be? 3 points, 16 comments
“I'm a grad student that has to be full-time in the fall term but I only have one requirement to fill. I have to take 2 more classes, but they can be anything. …”
u/Enigmers: “I really liked MUSIC270 (Music theory). Terry Paynter and Tim Corlis teach it, and they're both great profs. …”
Fall 2014
Anyone here has taken MUSIC 226? (voice) 1 point, 2 comments
[deleted]: “… I have taken MUSIC 100, 111, 270, 271, and voice lessons for two months. Obviously, I am not expecting to get accepted, should I just try out anyway? …”
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