Course Syllabus

Course: MUSC 1150

Division: Fine Arts, Comm, and New Media
Department: Music
Title: Class Piano I

Semester Approved: Summer 2020
Five-Year Review Semester: Summer 2025
End Semester: Spring 2026

Catalog Description: This is the first 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 basic piano skills. This course also introduces the concept of musical improvisation. All music majors must take a piano assessment prior to enrolling in Class Piano. Students will be placed in the appropriate semester of Class Piano after completing the initial assessment. (Additional fee required)

Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring
Credit/Time Requirement: Credit: 1; Lecture: 1; Lab: 1

Justification: This course begins the music major's progress toward piano proficiency, which 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.




Student Learning Outcomes:
Students will demonstrate basic piano technique, including good hand position and posture.  These skills will be assessed in regular class participation and playing tests.

Students will demonstrate basic piano skills, including the playing of major and minor scales, arpeggios, and chords. These skills will be assessed in regular class participation and playing tests.

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 and playing tests.


Content:
This course will address the development of playing the piano at the basic level, including technique, keyboard theory, harmonization, transposition, and improvisation.

Key Performance Indicators:
Basic Technique playing tests 20 to 40%

Basic Skills playing tests 20 to 40%

Literacy playing tests 20 to 40%

Class Participation  20 to 40%


Representative Text and/or Supplies:
Piano Marvel (Subscription)

Class Piano Music Major Selections (Marcie W. Smith)


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. Skills are demonstrated, and a methodology for self-practice are given and rehearsed. Modern technology is used to assist in developing and assessing skills accumulated by students in this course.

Instructional Mediums:
Lecture/Lab

Maximum Class Size: 16
Optimum Class Size: 16