Kutztown University
Kutztown, Pennsylvania
Department of Music
College of Visual & Performing Arts
MUS 320 Keyboard Harmony
Approved by Department : May 7, 2008
I. Course Description
This course presents an opportunity for the student who has adequate keyboard experience to
apply in a vital and creative manner the essentials of harmonic theory to keyboard practice:
including harmonic progressions, cadential patterns, transpositions, modulation, harmonization
of melodies, improvisation, analysis, the use of figured bass and lead sheet symbols, the creation
of accompaniments and ensemble playing.
Prerequisites: MUS 102 & MUS 124 or equivalent
3 Clock Hours
3 Semester Hours
II. Course Rationale
Students in the liberal arts music program have limited opportunities to develop keyboard skills
past the functional capabilities of playing the piano. This course provides additional study and
development, which not only reinforces basic keyboard skills but provides the opportunity for the
piano to be used as in important tool in advanced music study.
III. Course Objectives
Upon completion of this course students will be able to:
1. Play all scales, intervals, triads and seventh chords in major and minor
keys.
2. Apply harmonic principles to problems of transposition, modulation,
harmonic progression and improvisation.
3. Create accompaniments to existing melodies.
4. Improvise original melodies and their accompaniments.
5. Play from a figured bass line as well as lead sheet symbols.
6. Demonstrate sight-reading and ensemble playing.
7. Demonstrate sufficient keyboard technique exercises to support adequate performance.
IV. Assessment
Assessment of each student’s level of accomplishment with reference to the course objectives
will be based upon a subset of 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 the class,
which may included keyboard theory, sight-reading, harmonization, and transposition
skills.
2. Class participation: Student attendance and quality of class participation are essential
in developing new skills, and will therefore be recorded.
3. At least once during the semester, the student will perform music he or she has
learned, in class.
4. Final Exam: Students will demonstrate the degree to which they have developed
the required skills by performing for the instructor.
V. Course Outline
A.
Keyboard Theory
1. Scales and arpeggios
2. Intervals
3. Harmonic structures of major, minor diminished and
augmented triads; diatonic seventh chords; chromatically
altered seventh chords
B.
Harmonic Progressions in Major and Minor keys, both Diatonic and
Chromatic with Inversions
1. Cadential 6
4
2. Secondary Dominants
3. Neapolitan Sixth
4. Minor mode in Major keys
C.
Four-Part Harmony Patterns
1. Cadences: Authentic, Plagal. Half, and Deceptive in all keys
2. Progressions in Chorale style, including modulations
D.
Application of Harmonic Techniques
1. Modulation to closely related keys
2. Analysis of compositions of suitable difficulty to
illustrate and reinforce harmonic practice
3. Harmonization of melodies
4. Transposition
5. Improvising melodies and creating suitable accompaniments
6. Playing from figured bass and lead sheet symbols
VI. Instructional Resources
Allen, Doris. Creative Keyboard for Adult Beginners. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice- Hall,
Inc., 1981.
Barkowitz, Sol. Improvisation Through Keyboard Harmony. Englewood Cliffs, NJ:
Prentice-Hall, Inc., 1975.
Dallin, Leon and Lynn. Heritage Songster. Dubuque, IA: Wm. C. Brown Publishers,
1980.
Evans, Lee. How To Play Chord Symbols in Jazz and Popular Music. Milwaukee,
Hal Leonard Publishing Corporation, 1991.
WI:
Frackenpohl, Arthur. Harmonization at the Piano. Dubuque, IA: Wm. C. Brown Publishers,
1991.
Hackett, Patricia. The Melody Book. Second Edition. Englewood Cliffs, NJ:
1992.
Prentice Hall,
Lyke, James. Keyboard Fundamentals. Champaign, IL: Stipes Publishing Co., 1988.
Mainous, Frank D. Melodies to Harmonize With. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall, Inc.,
1964
Robinson, Helene. Basic Piano for Adults. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Publishing
Company, Inc., 1964
Spillman, Robert. Sight Reading at the Keyboard. NY: Schirmer Books, 1990.
Starr, William. Practical Piano Skills. Dubuque, IA: W.C. Brown Publishers, 1988.
Vernazza, Marcelle and Young, Leonora Jeanne. Basic Materials for the Piano
Dubuque, IA: W.C. Brown Company Publishers, 1972.
Student.
Zimmerman, Alex H., Hayton,Russell, Presing, Dorothy. Basic Piano for the College
Student. Dubuque, IA: W.C. Brown Company Publishers, 1974.