MUS 649 Sec. 01, Mueller
Professor Mueller
Meeting Time: TBD
Classroom: 431 N
Office: Room 401b Hunter North
Phone: 212-772-5785
Department Office: Room 416N
Department Phone: 772-5020
Office Hours: TBD
paul.mueller@hunter.cuny.edu
MUS 649: PIANO SKILLS FOR MUSIC TEACHERS
REQUIRED TEXTS: Beginning Piano for Adults, James Bastien (1968)
ADDITIONAL REQUIRED MATERIALS: Other materials as assigned
PRE-REQUISITE: Permission of Instructor
COURSE PLAN
Week 1
Introduction to the class; using the piano lab; hand position; five finger ascending and
descending patterns and l-V7-l chord progressions in all major keys, hands separate
Week 2
Read: Bastien, p.1 through 14; Play p 5, number 2, with both hands in all keys; p. 7,
number 3, accompany w/ l-V7-l chord progressions in all keys. Review five finger
ascending and descending patterns and l-V7-l chord progressions in all major keys, hands
separate
Week 3
Read: Bastien, p. 14 through 18; on p. 17, number 7, play the melody in the right and
then in the left hand in all keys. Then, accompany the right hand melody with left hand.
chords (l,V7, or l) and, similarly, the left hand melody with right hand chords; p.112,
number 1, play l-V7-l chords as block chords in all keys as directed; practice five finger
ascending and descending patterns and l-V7-l chord progressions in all major keys, hands
together at a steady, even tempo using correct fingering; review for Quiz #1
Week 4
Quiz #1: play five finger ascending and descending patterns and l-V7-l chord
progressions in all major keys, hands together at a steady, even tempo using correct
fingering; Instructor will introduce scale preparation exercises and the C,G,D,A,E, and B
Major scales
Week 5
Read: Bastien, p.72-73; practice scale preparation and fingering exercises on those
pages; play the C,G,D,A,E, and B Major scales, hands separate with correct fingering
and at an even tempo; sight read all pieces on p.32; study page 86 and play the left hand
accompaniments at the top of the page in all major keys; the instructor will assign each
student one or two pieces to study and perform
Week 6
Practice accompanying p. 112, number 3, using waltz (b) and p. 113, number 4, using
broken chords; instructor will demonstrate and students will practice accompanying
simple vocal warm-ups; sight read all pieces on p.33; play C,G,D,A,E, and B Major
scales, hands together and F-sharp, C-sharp, G-sharp, and D-sharp Major scales hands
separately; play five finger ascending and descending patterns and l-V7-l chord
progressions in all minor keys
Week 7
Play B-flat and F-Major scales hands separate; review all other major scales hands
together at an even tempo with correct fingering; sight read all melodies on p.34; play
p.86, number 82, in all keys; instructor will model and students will practice playing
additional vocal warm-ups during class
MUS 649 Sec. 01, Mueller
Week 8
Quiz#2: Students will play all major scales from memory, hands together, at an even
tempo using correct fingerings
Week 9
Play C, D, A, E, and B harmonic minor scales, hands separate; play p. 45, number 33;
play l-lV-V7-l chord progressions in all minor keys; play accompaniment patterns on p.
86 in all minor keys; accompany p. 113, number 7, and p. 116, number 15, using broken
chord accompaniment; sight read p. 38, number 15, and p. 40, number 21
Week 10
Play F-sharp, C-sharp, G-sharp, and D-sharp harmonic minor scales hands separate; play
C, D, A, E, and B harmonic minor scales hands together; work on accompaniments to
selected choral pieces
Week 11
Play accompaniments to selected choral pieces;
Week 12
Quiz#3: Play all harmonic minor scales from memory, hands together at an even
tempo with correct fingering; play l-V7-l chord progressions in all minor keys
Week 13
Forum: Each student will perform selections from their individually assigned pieces for
the class
Week 14
Last class; review for final exam; Reflection Paper is due today
Week 15
Final Exam will be held in Room 431 during regular class hours
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
This course is an introduction to the basic piano skills that music education students need in order to be
effective teachers. Students will become comfortable with the keyboard so that they can eventually play a
given pattern or harmonize a given melody in any key. Students will learn to use legato and staccato
articulation and to perform major and minor scales and basic chord progressions in any key. Towards the
end of the course, each student will demonstrate the ability to accompany simple vocal warm-ups, play a
simple choral accompaniment and perform one or two pieces, including a march suitable for a school
assembly. Each student will complete a typed reflection paper, which can later be used as part of the TEP
graduation portfolio. This paper will serve as both a writing exercise and a self-assessment tool. It is
critical that you have made prior arrangements to practice on a piano keyboard either at home or
in another pre-determined location. Without the ability to practice regularly on a piano keyboard,
you will most likely not be able to prepare your weekly assignments. The Music Department rents
practice rooms by the hour. Inquire in Room 416.
EXAMINATIONS: In order to make sure that everyone is mastering the assigned material, I will give
three quizzes at regular intervals throughout the semester. There will also be a midterm, a final exam, and
a 2-3 page Reflection Paper. All quizzes and exams will be based on individual performance of assigned
material. MAKE-UPS WILL NOT BE GIVEN UNLESS DOCUMENTED EVIDENCE IS
PROVIDED and unless the absence was the result of a true emergency situation.
GRADING POLICY:
Attendance/Participation
Quizzes
Midterm
Final
Reflection Paper
10%
30%
20%
30%
10%
MUS 649 Sec. 01, Mueller
ATTENDANCE AND CLASS PARTICIPATION: Regular attendance and participation in class will not
only help you to do well in the course, but may also improve your grade. For example, if you come to
class on time, are absent fewer than two times, and contribute in a positive way to the class, I will raise a
borderline grade to the higher letter grade.
Similarly, if you do not come to class on time, are absent more than three times or do not participate in a
positive way, your attendance/participation grade will be lowered. The Music Department prohibits food
or drink in the classroom; please respect this policy.
LATENESS POLICY: There is a policy that, “If latecomers disrupt class, the door will be locked and
latecomers admitted only once. After that, the door will remain locked for the duration of the class.”
Please make it a point to arrive on time so that we will not have the occasion to utilize this policy.
INCOMPLETES: Music Department policy states that the grade of “INCOMPLETE” will be granted
only in cases of serious, documented emergencies and then only when permission has been obtained in
writing from the Department Chair, no later than one week before the final class meeting.