A Study on the Development and Operation of Composition Liberal Arts Courses for Non-Music Major Students

Abstract

This study aims to discuss the various advantages and problems that have emerged through the development and operation of a course called “Understanding Music through Composition Experience”, which was opened as a liberal arts course for college students without majoring in music at universities, and to suggest directions for development and improvement. In this three-step class, “Basic Music Theory, Melody Composition Method, Garage Band Application”, the basic music theory essential for composition was found out through the course operation, and melody composed by students were compared according to Schoenberg's tonal music composition theory. I tried to apply the melody and harmony created here to the Garage Band, and analyzed the satisfaction of the students. In conclusion, basic music theory regarding tonality, scale, and pitch interval is considered important for practical composition ability, more practice on rhythm and time is required, and emphasis should be placed on harmony with chords in melody composition. This study is meaningful in suggesting future development directions for creative music classes as liberal arts subjects in universities and class design using smart phone application.