Kutztown University of Pennsylvania
Department of Music
MUS 024
Class Piano I
Approved by Department: October 3, 2006
Course Description
This course builds reading and rhythmic skills at the keyboard and sets the foundations of practical
keyboard theory through the study of scales, triadic harmony, harmonization, transposition and
improvisation. This class is appropriate for students with little or no keyboard experience.
Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor
1 semester hour, 2 clock hours
LHE = 1.33
Course Objectives
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To gain keyboard facility commensurate with elementary skills of musicianship.
To develop the ability to play simple accompaniments, to sight-read, transpose, improvise and
harmonize at the elementary level.
To understand the structure of music through keyboard experience and analysis of rhythmic,
melodic and harmonic elements.
To promote musicianship by studying and playing simple compositions in various styles and
utilizing various incipient techniques.
Course Outline
Acquired skills should include:
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Major and minor scales (three forms) by tetrachord structure.
Major and minor pentachord studies for finger and hand action definition.
Triadic arpeggios in all Mm keys (crossing hands).
The four qualities of triads on all tones chromatically.
Cadences I IV V I in root positions, all keys.
Simple transpositions in melodic pentachord structures.
Simple harmonizations of pentachord melodies using I IV V.
Sight-reading skills equal to first level problems.
Performance skills equal to first level keyboard skills.
Preparation of lessons in a prescribed text.
Assessment
Assessment of each student’s level of accomplishment with reference to the course objectives will
be based upon the following:
1.
Graded homework checks: Periodically, the instructor will listen to the students individually to
assess their progress in the skills and concepts being learned in class, which may include
keyboard theory, sight-reading, harmonization, and transposition skills.
2.
3.
4.
Class participation: Student attendance and quality of class participation are essential in
developing new skills, and will therefore be recorded. Through the listening console in the
piano lab, the instructor is also able to listen to any number of students and will have the
chance to evaluate their progress and participation.
Prepared Performances: At least once during the semester, the student will perform music he or
she has learned, in class.
Final Exam: The student will demonstrate the degree to which they have developed the required
skills by performing for the instructor. Skills are in the area of keyboard theory, sightreading, harmonization, and transposition.
Instructional Resources
Burmeister, Ellen. Keyboard Sight-Reading. Mountain View, California: Mayfield Publishing Company,
1991.
Giles, Allen. Beginning Piano an Adult Approach. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Theodore Presser
Company, 1978.
Hackett, Patricia. The Melody Book. Second Edition. Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey: Prentice Hall, 1992.
Lancaster, E. L. and Kenon D. Renfrow. Alfred’s Group Piano for Adults: an Innovative Method with
Optional Compact Discs and General MIDI Disks for Enhanced Practice and Performance. Van
Nuys, California: Alfred Publishing Co., Inc. 1995.
Lindeman, Carolynn A. Piano Lab: An Introduction to Class Piano. Belmont, California: Wadsworth
Publishing Company, 1995.
Lyke, James, et. al. Keyboard Musicianship, Book Two. Seventh Edition. Champaign, Illinois: Stipes
Publishing Company, Fifth Edition, 1999.
Mach, Elyse. Contemporary Class Piano. Sixth Edition. New York: Oxford University Press, 2004.
Olson, Lynn Freeman. Piano for Pleasure. New York: West Publishing Company, 1986.
Pederson, Gale. Key to the Keys. Guilford, CT: Audio-Forum, 1995.
Robison, Helene. Basic Piano for Adults. Belmont, California: Wadsworth Publishing Company, 1964.
Spillman, Robert. Sight-Reading at the Keyboard. New York: Schirmer Books, 1990.
Starr, William and Constance Starr. Practical Piano Skills. Dubuque, Iowa: Wm. C. Brown Publishers
(3rd Edition), 1984.