Music History I (MUSC 2201) Listening Journal Guidelines
The listening journal is a tool for you, the music history student. It is intended to serve as an aid in your exploration of
the recordings that supplement the textbook. This journal will be an invaluable asset to you now and in the future, if
constructed clearly and concisely. Please use this journal as a study aid to prepare for course quizzes and exams. It can
also serve as a resource for your future music studies both in undergraduate and graduate school, as well as in your
music careers. The listening journal’s utility will be determined by your investment of time and energy.
Listening Journal Entries
Each musical work listed in the CD recordings and in your textbook must have a journal
entry to receive full credit. Listening Journals for each chapter are due before the chapter
quiz (schedule in your syllabus or as announced in class), and must be submitted via the
online dropbox.
Entries must be consistent and clear in format and content. Paragraph style prose is not
recommended. An outline that can be quickly overviewed for relevant details is generally
more beneficial. The following templates and examples are included to give you some ideas
on organizing your thoughts and assuring the inclusion of all necessary information:
EXAMPLE 2
EXAMPLE 1
Composer’s Name: Carlo Gesualdo*
WHO? Pronunciation: CAR-lo jez-WAL-do
Composer – or – Source (Gregorian Chant, etc) Dates: 1567-1613
Nationality: Italian
WHAT? Title: Arde il mio cor (My heart burns)
Type of piece, genre, text summary (if any) My heart burns and so sweet is the fire…
Date Composed: 1596
Genre: Late Italian Madrigal
WHEN?
Instrumentation: 5-Voices
Date of composition, stylistic periods in which it would be Listen for: word painting, uses of chromaticism –
included (early renaissance, etc) very difficult to sing, odd harmonic progressions
(modern sounding)
WHERE? Notes:
Country/Region of origin of composer *gesualdo murdered his wife & her lover
(and specific piece if different) *late madrigal transition between modal of Ren and
tonal of Bar
*every colorful word is portrayed in music – fire,
WHY?
happy, sweet, strange
Context of Composition – why was it composed?
Sacred or secular? Why is it important?
EXAMPLE 3
HOW? FOUR PART OUTLINE FOR LISTENING
How is the piece performed? Instrumentation? JOURNAL ENTRY CONTENT*
Performance practice items of interest? (while each entry should include these
four basic areas, only the most relevant
Other details of interest: How would you
or important information
remember this piece if you heard it again? from each area should be noted)
Connection to larger course context, terminology, form,
etc. What larger trends or developments does it represent? 1) Composer biography
2) Historical background
3) Cultural background
*=from Minnesota Music Listening Contest Listening Study Guides 4) Score analysis
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