MUS-P 213 Piano 1
2 hrs, 1 credit
This is an elementary class piano course for music majors. The prerequisite is a
declared music major, or departmental permission. Interested non-majors are
encouraged to request permission, which will be granted to students with a basic
reading knowledge of music if there is room in the class.
The goal of Piano I is to begin developing skills and fluency on the piano keyboard,
leading to the ability to play short pieces, improvise in various styles, and the acquisition
of technical proficiency. Applied topics include intervals, scales, triads, rhythm, meter,
melody, texture, harmony, sight-reading and ensemble playing.
Strategies: Keyboard music cannot be learned overnight, and certainly not the night
before a performance quiz or exam. In order to succeed in this course, it is essential that
each student spends a little time each day working on the material. One-half hour a day
of study is far more beneficial than 3 ½ hours at one time. Because the assigned pieces
and exercises become progressively more difficult as the course transpires, if you fall
behind it will be very difficult to catch up. By the end of the semester, you will be able to
play a number of piano pieces in different styles, improvise in blues and rock genres, read
simple music at sight, understand some basic chord patterns, and have a good
understanding of the most commonly-used music terminology.
Grading is based on attendance, keyboard quizzes, mid-term and final examinations.
Required Texts vary somewhat from section to section, but all cover the same skills,
materials and competencies, and all are available in the Hunter Bookstore. Some basic
texts include:
Elyse Mach: Contemporary Class Piano
Edna Mae Burnam: A Dozen a Day, Book One
Jane Magrath (ed.): Masterwork Classics, Levels 1-2
Denes Agay (ed.): Easy Classics to Moderns