Kutztown University of Pennsylvania
Department of Music
MUS 124
Class Piano II
Approved by Department: November 4, 2003
Course Description
A continuation of Class Piano I: this course develops reading and rhythmic skills at the upper
elementary level by means of expanding level one concepts to a greater degree of proficiency. The course
is intended for those who have successfully completed Class Piano I or those who have sufficient keyboard
theory and facility to pass the final exam in Class Piano I. A placement consultation with a piano faculty
member for all students who have not had Class Piano I is required.
1 semester hour, 2 clock hours
LHE = 1.33
Course Objectives
1. To gain keyboard facility commensurate with upper elementary skills of
musicianship.
2. To develop skills in sight-reading, transposition, harmonization and
improvisation at the upper elementary level.
3. To promote musicianship by studying and playing simple compositions in
various styles and utilizing expanding techniques at level 2.
Course Outline
Acquired skills should include:
1.
2.
Major and minor scales one octave with fingerings.
Major and minor pentachords studies for finger and hand action, including
double thirds.
3. Full chord arpeggios in three positions.
4. The five diatonic seventh chords on all tones chromatically.
5. The diatonic seventh chords on scales degrees in all keys.
6. Cadences with voicings from first position I chord.
7. The V7 in all positions, all keys.
8. Transpositions, harmonizations, Sight-reading and performing skills equal to
second level keyboard skills.
9. Repertoire of stylistic diversity, interpretive and technical relevance to level
two proficiency.
10. 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,
sight-reading, 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.