LIBERAL ARTS PIANO, MUS 149

Fall 2008

Dr. Mami Hayashida

T/Th 2:10 – 3:00

NMB 11

Office Hours: TBA

Office: 863-7929

Cell: (859)229-8755

Email:

Course Description:

Group instruction for students with a limited or no background playing piano. The course will also include the following topics: reading music, major piano composers and performers, representative piano works from the last three centuries, the evolution of the instrument, and piano maintenance.

Required Texts:

  • Jeremy Siepmann. The Piano: The Complete Illustrated Guide to the World's Most Popular Musical Instrument. (Milwaukee: Hal Leonard, 1998)
  • F. Clark, L. Goss, R.Grove, Keyboard Musician (Miami: Summy-Birchard Inc., 1980)

Course Objectives:

  1. Learn to read music and gain basic knowledge of piano-playing.
  2. Outline the development of the piano.
  3. Name major composers and performers of piano repertoire.
  4. Familiarize oneself with representative piano works from the last three centuries.
  5. Know what to consider when purchasing a new or used piano.
  6. Know how to maintain the instrument.

Practicing and studying:

Students are expected to spend approximately 2 hours/week outside classroom for practicing and additional 2 hours/week for completing reading and listening assignments.

Methods of evaluation:

20% - Attendance (including punctuality), preparation, participation

30% - Two piano-skill exams

30% - Two written exams

10% - Concert/Recital Report

Attend one solo piano recital or piano concerto performance and write a one-page review of the performance. The recital/concert program must be attached to the report. The deadline for this assignment is the last day of classes (December 12, 2007)

10% - In-class performance of a short composition at the end of the term (must be memorized)

There will be no final exam for the course.

Grading scale:

Final grades will be calculated as follows:

A = 93 – 100 %

A/B = 88 – 92 %

B = 83 – 87 %

B/C = 78 – 82 %

C = 70 – 77 %

D = 60 – 69 %

F= 0 – 59 %

Attendance:

Attendance is required. The only acceptable reasons for being excused for an absence are 1) participation in college-sponsored events 2) illness or other emergencies. For the latter, students are expected to provide a written note from the doctor’s office. Prior notification is required regardless of the nature of the absence.

Tentative Class schedule (please expect minor adjustments):

Date / Class
8/28 / Introduction; Talk about piano/music background; Tour practice rooms; rhythm exercise
8/30 (Th) / Learning note names; moving fingers; rhythm exercise
9/4 (Tue) / Reading Music #1
9/6 (Th) / Reading Music #2
9/11 (T) / Keyboard Musician Unit 1
9/13 (Th) / KM Unit 1
9/18 (T) / KM Unit 1
9/20 (Th) / KM Unit 2
9/25 (T) / KM Unit 2
9/27 (Th) / Piano: Introduction (lecture)
10/2 (T) / Piano-skill Exam 1
10/4 (Th) / History #1: Precursors of the piano; Invention of the piano; Baroque Era
10/9 (T) / KM Unit 3
10/11 (Th) / History #2: Classical Era
10/16 (T) / KM Unit 3
10/18 (Th) / History #3 : Romantic Era
10/23 (T) / Fall break
10/25 (Th) / Written Exam #1
10/30 (T) / KM Unit 3
11/1 (Th) / History #4: 20th century classical
11/6 (T) / KM Unit 4
11/8 (Th) / History #5: Popular Style piano
11/13(T) / KM Unit 4
11/15(Th) / Piano purchase/maintenance
11/20 (T) / Piano-skill Exam #2
11/22 (Th) / Thanksgiving
11/27 (T) / KM Unit 4
11/29(Th) / Written Exam #2
12/4 (T) / Preparation for the final in-class performance
12/6 (Th) / Preparation for the final in-class performance
12/11 (T) / In-class performance!

Internet Resources for Finding Local Musical Events:

On-Campus:

Off-Campus:

Singletary Center for the Arts at UK

Lexington Philharmonic

Eastern Kentucky University

Kentucky State University

NortonCenter for the Arts at Centre Coll.

University of Louisville

Louisville Orchestra

Cincinnati Symphony

Lexington Herald Leader (“events”/“music”)

Cincinnati Enquirer (“entertainment”/”events”)

Louisville Courier-Journal (“entertainment”/”events”)