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MUSC 261

MUSC 261:262
SECOND YEAR CLASS PIANO (GE)

Catalog Entry

MUSC 261:262. Second Year Class Piano (GE)
Three Hours Laboratory (1:1).

Prerequisite (MUSC 261): Completion of MUSC 162 with a grade of “C” or better.

Prerequisite (MUSC 262): Completion of MUSC 261 with a grade of “C” or better.

Students learn intermediate keyboard skills necessary both for accompaniment of simple music and for development of musical understanding basic to all course work in music through technical exercises, repertoire, and fundamental skills such as sight-reading, harmonization, transposition, improvisation, and composition.

Note(s): General Education and Humanistic or Artistic Expression designated course.

 

Detailed Description of Content of Course

1). This course teaches the third basic level of keyboard skills in a laboratory setting. Reading music is emphasized which includes new and reviewed material as well as solo and ensemble repertoire.
2). Technical exercises to develop facility, fluency and a "feel" for the topography of the keyboard are practiced using the following theoretical concepts

  • 261: in the keys of C, a, G, e, D, b, F, d, D flat, b flat, G flat, e flat.
  • 262: in the keys of A, f sharp, E, c sharp, B, g sharp, B flat, g, E flat, c, A flat, f.

 

a. Major and minor scales (all three forms).
b. Cadences played hands together, in closed position, beginning with a root position tonic triad: I, IV in 2nd inversion, I, V7 in 1st inversion and I; beginning with a 1st inversion tonic triad: I in 1st inversion, IV, I in 1st inversion, V7 in 3rd inversion and I in 1st inversion; beginning with a 2nd inversion tonic triad: I in 2nd inversion, IV in 1st inversion, I in 2nd inversion, V7 and I in 2nd inversion.
c. Triads and inversions, both blocked and broken, played one octave, hands together.
d. Arpeggios played two octaves, hands separately.

 

3). Harmonization of melodies using I,IV and V in blocked style and using varied accompaniment patterns in the left hand. The recommended text is Harmonization and Transposition by Alice Kern.
4). Transposition of melodies outside the pentascale position.
5). "Ear-to-hand" aural skills training using folk tunes such as "Home on the Range".
6). Playing "by ear", improvisation, composition and other creative activities at the third basic level.
7). Throughout the course, students are coached by the instructor in basic piano technique including such aspects as posture at the keyboard, hand position, using fluid motions and keeping the wrists flexible.

 

Detailed Description of Conduct of Course

The class will meet three times a week in the digital keyboard laboratory. The students will play together in class and are expected to do individual practice (about 3 hours per week) outside of class.

 

Goals and Objectives of the Course

Students will attain the third basic level of proficiency in piano skills by the completion of the course. These skills include being able to play scales, cadences and triads, hands together and arpeggios hands separately

  • 261: in the keys of C, a, G, e, D, b, F, d, D flat, b flat, G flat, e flat.
  • 262: in the keys of A, f sharp, E, c sharp, B, g sharp, B flat, g, E flat, c, A flat, f.

Students should be able to sight read fluently at a level comparable to the music found in Puck's Pieces by Joan Last, perform memorized repertoire comparable to the 'Musette" by J.S. Bach. They should be able to demonstrate "ear-to-hand" ability such as playing tunes like " Home onthe Range" in the above keys and be able to transpose and harmonize a single melodic line using I, IV and V in the above keys.

 

Assessment Measures

1. Students are evaluated through performance of skills tests given approximately every 2 weeks throughout the course. There is also a mid-term and final exam which will test all of the skills outlined in the content of the course above.
2. Students in MUSC 262 are required to pass a Level 2 Class Piano Jury Exam for a faculty panel of at least three faculty members. At least one Music Education faculty member will be included on the Jury Exams for Music Education majors. At least one Music Therapy faculty member will be included on the Jury Exams for Music Therapy majors.

Each student receives a pass/fail grade on skills in four categories: technique, sight reading, improvisation, repertoire. The student must be rated to pass in each of the four categories of skills in order to receive a grade of “C” or better.

 

Other Course Information

 

Approval and Subsequent Reviews

DATE ACTION REVIEWED BY
February 2006 Reviewed E. Fellin, Chairman

March 01, 2021