Course Syllabus
Course: MUSC 1595
Division: Fine Arts, Comm, and New Media
Department: Music
Title: Private Piano Fundamentals
Semester Approved: Fall 2022
Five-Year Review Semester: Fall 2027
End Semester: Summer 2028
Catalog Description: This course provides students with individual piano instruction and is repeatable one time for credit. This course develops a student's technical, interpretive, sight reading, pedagogical and improvisational skills while increasing his/her understanding of the history and repertory of the piano. The course is open to all music students hoping to focus primarily on piano technique. (Course fee)
Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring
Credit/Time Requirement: Credit: 1; Lecture: .5-1; Lab: 1-2
Repeatable: Yes.
Prerequisites: Permission of Instructor
Justification: This course provides individual piano instruction at a beginning level. It is intended to provide personalized instruction for students who may not be prepared to begin the four semester Class Piano sequence. The class may also serve to supplement a student’s progress towards completing the Snow College piano proficiency exam. Piano proficiency is a requirement for all National Association of Schools of Music (NASM) accredited institutions. This class is most like MUSC 1996 Private Lessons I at the University of Utah.
Student Learning Outcomes:
Students will develop good practice habits. Students will keep track of practice hours using a practice journal or log sheet.
Students will demonstrate correct body posture, arm and hand frames, and correct fingerings when playing exercises of various sorts that include note reading, Major and minor scales, arpeggios, dynamics, chords, and chord inversions. Specific musical skills will be assessed by the instructor during weekly private lessons and in public performance.
Learn proper performing technique and refine motor skills required for performance. Performance skills will be discussed during weekly lessons. In subsequent lessons, the instructor will assess student progress in preparation for public performance.
Learn musical literature (appropriate to skill level) from various world cultures, time periods, genders, and musical styles. Specific musical skills will be assessed by the instructor during weekly private lessons and in public performance.
Memorize music for performance (where appropriate) Specific musical skills will be assessed by the instructor during weekly private lessons and in public performance.
Content:
• Correct body posture including hand and feet positions
• Study of fingerings and correct hand frames
• Development of dynamic ranges
• Study of language necessary to perform music appropriately
• Study of major and minor scales and arpeggios
• Study of method books and etudes appropriate to student playing level
• Study of solo repertoire appropriate for college students and/or the individual level of the student
• Instruction in performance practice appropriate to stylistic periods
• Development of performance technique, including memorization techniques, stage deportment and anxiety management
• Study and practice will be assessed through instructor feedback and public performance.
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:
Attendance at lessons 30 to 50%
Documented practice hours 30 to 50%
Recital participation and performance 20 to 40%
Representative Text and/or Supplies:
Repertoire varies widely from student to student in accordance with individual capabilities and developmental needs. Individual repertoire may include but is not limited to the following: Beethoven Sonatas, Bach Preludes and Fugues, and representative works from Chopin and Debussy.
Repertoire is available from a wide variety of sources including online websites that provide free download, online subscription services such as Piano Marvel, or in printed form from individual publishers, as needed.
Pedagogy Statement:
Music literature will be chosen from a variety of sources and styles, including nations, ethnic groups, time periods, genders, etc.. Discussions during individual lessons will address said musical styles, their importance, and how to perform them in an accurate and understanding manner. Musical topics that relate to diversity and inclusion in music will be discussed in a safe and understanding environment. All students in private lessons will be treated with respect and in an equitable way.
Instructional Mediums:
Lecture/Lab
Maximum Class Size: 1
Optimum Class Size: 1
