Course Syllabus
Course: MUSC 1050
Division: Fine Arts, Comm, and New MediaDepartment: Music
Title: Class Piano Fundamentals
Semester Approved: Fall 2024
Five-Year Review Semester: Summer 2029
End Semester: Summer 2030
Catalog Description: Class Piano Fundamentals introduces music major students to beginning piano skills prior to starting the four-semester, Class Piano sequence (I-IV). All music majors must take a piano assessment placement test prior to enrolling in any section of Class Piano. Students will be placed in the appropriate semester of Class Piano after completing the initial assessment. (Additional fee required)
Repeatable for Credit
Semesters Offered: Spring
Credit/Time Requirement: Credit: 1; Lecture: 2; Lab: 0
Repeatable: Yes.
Justification: The course is for music majors to learn the basics of music notation and elementary keyboard skills. This elective course in the Class Piano series will help students with little or no piano background to progress toward piano proficiency and may be chosen to precede enrollment in Class Piano I - MUSC 1150. Piano proficiency is a requirement for all National Association of Schools of Music (NASM) accredited institutions. The course is designed for music major students who are enrolled in Music Theory I during Spring semesters.
Student Learning Outcomes:
Students will demonstrate basic piano technique, including good hand position and posture. These skills will be assessed in regular class participation, individual assessments by the instructor during class, weekly playing tests, and the final playing exam.
Students will demonstrate basic piano skills, including the playing of major and minor scales, arpeggios, chords, and chord inversions. These skills will be assessed in regular class participation, individual assessments by the instructor during class, weekly playing tests, and the final playing exam.
Students will demonstrate basic music reading skills as they apply to piano-playing, including beginning piano literature and hymns. These skills will be assessed in regular class participation, individual assessments by the instructor during class, weekly playing tests, and the final playing exam.
Students will demonstrate proficiency in sight reading piano literature, relative in difficulty to the level of the class. These skills will be assessed in regular class participation, individual assessments by the instructor during class, weekly playing tests, and the final playing exam.
Students will perform a memorized piece during an in class recital using proper performing techniques and etiquette. Students will perform one solo piece in front of the class at the end of the semester as a final playing exam.
Content:
This course will address the development of playing the piano at a basic level. It will include concepts such as note reading, sight reading, chords, chord inversions, scales (Major and minor), hand positions, playing positions, and basic musicianship. These concepts will be addressed during class and in weekly, outside of class, practice assignments. Other discussions will include practice techniques, performing techniques, keyboard theory, harmonization, transposition, and improvisation. Music for the course will be chosen from a variety of world cultures and nations. Both old and modern music from said cultures will be played. Discussions about the music as it relates to musical styles, time-periods, ethnicities, genders, and performing practices may be discussed. Students will be encouraged to help decide what pieces of literature and individual areas of focus will be studied for the solo performance portion of the course.
Key Performance Indicators:
Each student will be evaluated on the following:
Students will perform one simple piano piece for the final playing exam 25 to 35%
Students will have weekly playing tests 35 to 45%
Students will be periodically assessed individually in class by instructor 25 to 35%
Representative Text and/or Supplies:
Class Piano Workbook by Marcie Smith. (Current Edition)
Piano for the Developing Musician by Lynn Olsen and Martha Hilley (Current Edition)
Piano Marvel Internet Subscription
Pedagogy Statement:
Materials and skills for this course are presented in an active laboratory setting. Each student has a keyboard instrument on which to practice during class and at various times outside of class. In addition to class activities and discussions, students will receive personalized instruction from the instructor on a weekly basis during class. Personal skills are demonstrated during class, and a methodology for self-practice is discussed and rehearsed. Modern technology, including piano practice software, is used to assist in developing and assessing skills that are accumulated by students in this course. All students will be treated with fairness and respect during both class activities and personalized instruction.
Instructional Mediums:
Lecture
Maximum Class Size: 15
Optimum Class Size: 10