Course: Organology

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Course title Organology
Course code KMU/ORG
Organizational form of instruction Lecture + Seminar
Level of course Bachelor
Year of study not specified
Semester Winter and summer
Number of ECTS credits 4
Language of instruction Czech
Status of course Compulsory-optional
Form of instruction Face-to-face
Work placements This is not an internship
Recommended optional programme components None
Lecturer(s)
  • Šidlo Friedl Marian, PhDr.
Course content
1) Musical instruments from an organological perspective 2) Harmonic series, intonation systems, and tuning 3) Classification and description of musical instruments 4) Basic organological description 5) The oldest musical instruments? / I. Idiophones (and VI. Corpophones) 6) The youngest musical instruments? / II. Membranophones 7) A hunter's legacy? / III. Chordophones 8) The oldest melodic instruments? / IV. Aerophones: Edge-blown instruments 9) A legacy of the Crusades? / IV. Aerophones: Reed instruments 10) Lip-vibrated instruments (trumpet-type)? / IV. Aerophones: Lip-vibrated instruments 11) Music of the spheres and "artificial" sound / V. Electrophones 12) Credit test

Learning activities and teaching methods
Lecture, Dialogic Lecture (Discussion, Dialog, Brainstorming), Demonstration, Projection (static, dynamic), Listening
  • Preparation for the Course Credit - 20 hours per semester
  • Attendace - 20 hours per semester
  • Preparation for the Exam - 26 hours per semester
Learning outcomes
The course introduces the evolution of thought regarding musical instruments, basic organological terminology, and the issues surrounding the classification and description of musical instruments. It aims to provide an overview of fundamental instrument types within the broadest possible geographical and historical context. The primary instructional approach follows the framework presented in Jeremy Montagu's *Origins and Development of Musical Instruments* (2007). Course completion requires obtaining creditbased on a visual test and a submitted seminar paper (involving a visit to and organological description of a musical instrument collection)and passing a knowledge-based exam.
The student is familiar with the evolution of thought regarding musical instruments, basic organological terminology, and the issues surrounding the classification and description of musical instruments. They are well-versed in basic instrument types, understanding them within both geographical and historical contexts.
Prerequisites
- participation during meetings (discussion, reflection) - independent study (preparation of a seminar paper) - regular attendance: maximum of 3 absences per semester

Assessment methods and criteria
Seminar Work, Written exam

Lectures participation. Text on musical instruments´ collection of own choice.
Recommended literature
  • Geneviev Dournon. (1981). Guide for the collection of traditional musical instruments. Paris.
  • Jeremy Montagu. (2007). Origins and development of musical instruments.. Lanham, Toronto, Plymouth.
  • Keller J. + Kopecká M. Hornbostelova a Sachsova systematika hudebních nástrojů. Praha. 1977.
  • Pavel Kurfürst. (2002). Hudební nástroje. Praha.


Study plans that include the course
Faculty Study plan (Version) Category of Branch/Specialization Recommended year of study Recommended semester
Faculty: Faculty of Arts Study plan (Version): Musicology (2019) Category: Theory and history of arts - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: -
Faculty: Faculty of Arts Study plan (Version): Musicology (2026) Category: Theory and history of arts - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: -
Faculty: Faculty of Arts Study plan (Version): Musicology (2026) Category: Theory and history of arts - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: -
Faculty: Faculty of Arts Study plan (Version): Musicology (2024) Category: Theory and history of arts - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: -
Faculty: Faculty of Arts Study plan (Version): Musicology (2024) Category: Theory and history of arts - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: -
Faculty: Faculty of Arts Study plan (Version): Musicology (2019) Category: Theory and history of arts - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: -
Faculty: Faculty of Arts Study plan (Version): Musicology (2019) Category: Theory and history of arts - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: -
Faculty: Faculty of Arts Study plan (Version): Musicology (2026) Category: Theory and history of arts - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: -
Faculty: Faculty of Arts Study plan (Version): Musicology (2022) Category: Theory and history of arts - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: -
Faculty: Faculty of Arts Study plan (Version): Musicology (2024) Category: Theory and history of arts - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: -