Course Syllabus
Course: MUSC 1160
Division: Fine Arts, Comm, and New Media
Department: Music
Title: Class Piano II
Semester Approved: Fall 2022
Five-Year Review Semester: Summer 2027
End Semester: Summer 2028
Catalog Description: This is the second semester of a four-semester, sequential, music major course designed to help students meet the music major piano proficiency requirement. Class Piano I introduces students to beginning piano skills. This course, Class Piano II, builds upon these basic skills. 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.
Semesters Offered: TBA
Credit/Time Requirement: Credit: 1; Lecture: 0; Lab: 2
Prerequisites: MUSC 1150 or instructor approval
Corequisites: None
Justification: This course is the second semester of the Class Piano series and begins the music major's progress toward piano proficiency. Piano proficiency is a requirement for all National Association of Schools of Music (NASM) accredited institutions. Similar courses are offered at other NASM accredited institutions in Utah and throughout the country. This course is most like MUSC 1160 - Keyboard II, at the University of Utah.
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. Sight reading assessments tests will be part of technology software programs, such as PianoMarvel, or as part of weekly playing tests administered by the instructor.
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. Discussions about performing techniques and etiquette will be discussed during class, and then used as part of the grading criteria.
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 may 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.
Key Performance Indicators:
Students will be graded on the following:
Final Exam 20 to 30%
Weekly Participation, Playing Assignments and Tests 20 to 30%
Solo Recital 20 to 30%
Piano Marvel Assignments 30 to 40%
Representative Text and/or Supplies:
Class Piano Workbook for Music Majors - by Marcie Smith (Current Edition)
Piano Marvel Internet Subscription
Piano for the Developing Musician by Lynn Olsen and Martha Hilley - (Current Edition)
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 and 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:
Lab
Maximum Class Size: 15
Optimum Class Size: 10
