Class Piano I

Curriculum guideline

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Course
MUSC 1161
Discontinued
Yes
Course code
MUSC 1161
Descriptive
Class Piano I
Department
Music
Faculty
Language, Literature & Performing Arts
Credits
1.00
Start date
End term
202010
PLAR
Yes
Semester length
15 weeks
Max class size
16
Contact hours
Classroom related: 1.5 hours per week Simulation environment: 1.5 hours per week
Method(s) of instruction
Tutorial
Learning activities

The student will receive 3 hours of class instruction per week and will be required to practice two hours per week.

Course description
An introductory keyboard course for students with little or no previous keyboard experience. The course includes development of basic finger technique, thorough keyboard orientation, elementary harmony exercises, sight reading and repertoire.
Course content
  1. Tetrachord scales: major, minor, modal.
  2. All triads in major and minor keys; one octave, hands separately.
  3. Triads on all scale degrees in major and minor keys: one octave, hands separately.
  4. Triads and inversions: one octave, solid and broken, hands separately.
  5. Five types of seventh chords (MM, Mm, mm, half diminished, fully diminished); formation in root position.
  6. Chord progressions in keyboard or four-part style.
    • I-IV-V-I, I-IV-V-VI, I-IV-V7-VI
    • I-II-V-I, I-II-V-VI, I-II-V7-I, I-II-V7-VI
    • I-II6-V-I, I-II6-V7-I, I-II6-V7-I, I-II-V7-VI
    • I-VI-II-V7-I, VII7/0-V6/5-I, I-VII6-I6, I6-VII6-I
    • I6/4-V-I, I6/4-V7-I, I6/4-V-VI, I6/4-V7-VI
  7. Sight reading: treble and bass melodies, hands separately; simple melodies, hands together; chords at random, hands separately.
  8. Transposition: simple melodies – in keys up to three sharps and flats, hands separately.
  9. Harmonization: simple diatonic melodies using block chords. I-IV and V.
  10. Improvisation: using a prescribed harmonic structure.
  11. Repertoire: simple pieces in pentachord position.
Learning outcomes

The successful student will learn the fundamentals of keyboard sight reading, accompaniment, transposition, improvisation, keyboard harmony, technique and piano repertoire.

Means of assessment

The grade will be calculated on the basis of progress made in the various aspects of the course:

  • 60% of the mark will be based upon regular evaluation (minimum 1 per week).
  • 15% of the mark will be allotted for a midterm examination.
  • 25% of the mark will be allotted for a final in-class examination.

Attendance

As this is a skill-oriented course, regular attendance is required in order to develop fluent keyboard skills. Therefore, 100% attendance is desired. The failure to attend regularly will result in reduction of a final grade as shown below:

  • 4 unexcused absences: minus 10%
  • 8 unexcused absences: minus 20%
  • over 12 unexcused absences: minus 30%
Textbook materials

A list of recommended textbooks and materials is provided on the Instructor’s Course Outline, which is available to students at the beginning of each semester.

Example: Frackenphol, Arthur. Harmonization at the Piano, 6th Edition Wm. C. Brown Publishers, 1991

 

Prerequisites

Acceptance to University Transfer Music Program or permission of instructor.

Corequisites

MUSC 1110, 1111

Which prerequisite

MUSC 1261