MUSC 206

MUSC 206: Clinical Musicianship III: Piano

Prerequisites: MUSC 161 * MUSC 162 (2-semesters of piano), music therapy major, permission of instructor

Credit Hours: (1)

This laboratory class is the third course in a 4-semester sequence designed to develop professional requirements for functional musicianship. The content will introduce and emphasize piano skills and techniques as well as the development of functional piano playing for use in a clinical music therapy setting. Students will have multiple opportunities to learn about playing piano in a safe and effective manner, clinical repertoire for clients across the developmental continuum, and the use of the piano in a clinical setting. This course is repeatable in order to support the varied timelines of each student’s vocal development.

Detailed Description of Course Content

Functional use of the piano including: a variety of musical idioms from jazz, rock, country, folk, multicultural traditions, a variety of stylistic periods of music spanning the age-range of typical client populations from birth-hospice care, and for use in accompaniment.
Functional use of music technology including: garage band, midi, sound equipment such as amplifiers, microphones, p.a. systems, computer applications, and assistive technology for clients as appropriate.
Expansion of clinical repertoire to include songs that are developmentally appropriate across the age-span, and that support clinical goals and objectives.

Detailed Description of Conduct of Course

This laboratory course may include the following instructional strategies: learning and performing music, student development of materials, student presentations, cooperative/group learning, oral and musical communication activities, and role-playing/simulation.

Goals and Objectives of the Course

The following professional competencies as outlined by the American Music Therapy Association will be addressed in this course.

Introduced and Emphasized:

Ability to transpose simple compositions
Accompany oneself for a basic repertoire of traditional, folk, and popular songs with and without printed music
Basic foundations of the use of piano in a music therapy context
Ability to accompany oneself while singing using basic chord progressions in several major and minor keys with varied accompaniment patterns
Sight-read simple compositions and song accompaniments
Harmonize and transpose simple compositions in several keys
Improvise on piano for use in a variety of clinical settings
Develop original melodies, simple accompaniments, and short pieces extemporaneously in a variety of moods and styles
Ability to harmonize while singing or playing with another pitch-based instrument vocally and with an accompaniment instrument

Assessment Measures

mid-term and final playing exam, weekly performance exams

Other Course Information

Review and Approval

April, 2019