Gene Trantham
In the past two decades, we have seen many CAI programs designed
to enhance the study of ear training and music fundamentals.
However, far fewer programs have been developed to deal with written
theory especially chromatic harmony, part writing, and reductive
analysis. Tonal Harmony Tutor is designed to enhance the study
of these areas. This program allows students to spell and identify
chords, analyze musical examples, part write progressions, harmonize
melodies, realize figured basses, compose chorales, and create
melodic and harmonic reductions. This software features listening
opportunities (musical examples for analysis and part written
student answers) and helpful suggestions available to users as
they work through reductive analysis and part writing. This coaching
option employs a rule base structure resulting from a study of
part writing errors completed by the author.
This presentation will begin with a brief explanation of the program design. Examples of the different activities and features will constitute the main portion of the demonstration. Challenges and solutions encountered by the programmers will conclude the discussion.