Class Piano
MVK 1111
Description: This is a course designed for students who desire general keyboard proficiency. Primary emphasis is on development of music reading and playing for personal satisfaction. 1 semester hour credit. Course may be repeated for maximum credit of 2 semester hours.
Text: Bastien’s Piano for Adults, Book I. Neil A. Kjos, Publisher.
Objectives:
- To read music at the piano in a musical manner.
- To develop listening skills through peer evaluation and ensemble playing.
- To develop sightreading skills.
- To learn to play all major and minor scales fluently with correct fingering.
- To learn to play I-IV-I-V7-I progressions fluently in all major and minor keys.
Grading: Grades will be determined on the basis of daily participation, class preparation, practice, attendance, and bi-weekly playing tests.
7 bi-weekly playing tests (100 points each) = 700 points
Comprehensive final playing test = 100 points
Outside preparation/practice records= 200 points
Total= 1000 points
Practice: Each student is required to practice at least 45 minutes every day. Students will be required to keep a daily practice record which they will turn in at the beginning of each class. Failure to turn in the practice record will lower your preparation/practice grade one letter for that week. Blank practice records will be available at the first class of the semester.
Attendance: Since one class is equal to two regular 50 minute class periods, the student will be allowed no more than two unexcused absences. If the student misses a playing test with an excused absence, it MUST be made up at the next class or the student will be given a “0”. Any playing tests missed without a valid excuse or beyond the two allowed unexcused absences will result in a “0”. Three tardies will equal one absence.
Scales/Cadential progressions: To move on to the next level of Class Piano the student must be able to play all major and minor scales and cadential progressions smoothly and fluently. By the end of the semester, all scales must be learned with correct fingering in quarter notes at a quarter note = 80.
Schedule:
August 22: Chapter 1 – An Introduction to the Piano
Posture
Hand position
Basic Rhythm
Ode to Joy
Au Clair de la Lune
Gentle Waves
C major scale
August 29: Chapter 2 – Music Notation
Treble and Bass clefs
Time Signatures
Rests
Intervals (2nd, 3rd)
Dynamics
Prelude in C
Moving Along
Interval Etude
March
All Through the Night
G major scale
Playing Test 1: Assignments to be announced
September 5: Chapter 2 continued
Intervals (4th, 5th)
Damper Pedal
Interval Workout
Star Gazing
Aura Lee
Chimes
Pedal Exercise on C major scale
D and A major scales
September 12: Chapter 3 – Chord Prelude
V7 chord
Chord Prelude
Bells in the Distance
Chord Etude
Promenade
Technique #1, p. 97
E and B major scales
I-V7-I progression in C, G, D, A, E, and B major
Playing Test 2: Assignments to be announced
September 19: Chapter 3 continued
IV chord
Row, Row, Row
Simple Gifts
Fanfare
Technique #2, p. 97
Persian Market
I-IV-I-V7-I progression in C, G, D, A, E, B, and F major keys
F major and A minor scales
September 26: Chapter 4 – Reading in Middle C
8th notes
Middle C Prelude
Yankee Doodle
Another Year Older
Early Morning Stroll
Technique #3, p. 97
D and G minor scales
Add I-IV-I-V7-I progression to new keys
Playing Test 3: Assignments to be announced
Begin Final Exam piece #1
October 3: Chapter 4 continued
Footsteps in the Night
Jump and Glide
Waltz for the Left Hand
Technique #4, p. 97
Add I-IV-I-V7-I progression to new keys
C and F minor scales
October 10: Chapter 5 – Reading in G
Interval Stretch
Love Somebody
Musette
Bells in the Tower
Hush Little Baby
E and B minor scales
Add I-IV-I-V7-I progression to new keys
Playing Test 4: Assignments to be announced
October 17: Fall Break
October 24: Chapter 5 continued, Chapter 6 – New Rhythms
Lavender’s Blue
Spring
Parisian Street Scene
America the Beautiful
Morning Mood
F# and C# minor scales
Add I-IV-I-V7-I progression to new keys
October 31: Chapter 6 continued, Chapter 7 – Reading in F
Dynamic Chase
Prelude
Chord Hop
The 12 Bar Blues
Riverboat Boogie
Blue Mood
Bb and Eb major scales
Add I-IV-I-V7-I progression to new keys
Begin Final Exam piece #2
Playing Test 5: Assignments to be announced
November 7: Chapter 8 – Scales, Chords, and Inversions
Scaling the Rockies
Hallelujah Chorus
Interlude
Prelude in A minor
Ab and Db/C# major scales
Add I-IV-I-V7-I progression to new keys
November 14: Chapter 8 continued
The Entertainer
Amazing Grace
Gb/F# major scale and Bb/A# minor scale
Add I-IV-I-V7-I progression to new keys
Playing Test 6: Assignments to be announced
November 21: Chapter 8 continued
Für Elise
Eb and Ab minor scales
Add I-IV-I-V7-I progression to new keys
November 28: Review/Catch up
Playing Test 7: Assignments to be announced
December 5: Final Class and Comprehensive Playing Test