Division of Fine Arts
Northwest College
MUSI 1181 – Class Piano I
Spring Branch Campus, Performing Arts Center
3 hour lab course / 48 hours per semester/ 16 weeks
Instructor: Valerie Hartzell
Instructor Contact Information: valerie.hartzell@hccs.edu
713-718-5661 (Fine Arts Dept) / 281-395-9066 (H)
Office location and hours
Room 209, Katy Campus
9:30 – 11am Tues & Thur
Please feel free to contact me concerning any problems that you are experiencing in
this course. You do not need to wait until you have received a poor grade before asking
for my assistance. Your performance in my class is very important to me. I am
available to hear your concerns and just to discuss course topics. Feel free to either
email me or call me BEFORE 8pm or AFTER 8am.
Course Description
MUSI 1181 is a class designed for the beginning keyboard student. The class is
intended for the music student taking Music Fundamentals or Music Theory I and is a
transferable music major class.
Prerequisites
There are no prerequisites.
Course Goal
The goal of this course is to give the student rudimentary keyboard skills which will
assist in the further study of music and music theory.
Student Learning Outcomes
The student will be able to:
1. Play all major and natural minor scales using tetrachord fingering.
2. Play I, V6/5, I chords in root position in all major and minor keys.
3. Play simple eight measure teaching pieces from the text in five finger positions.
EDUC 1301 – page 2
4. Play a simple transposition from one five finger position to another.
5. Clap or play 2-hand rhythm drills including eighth notes, dotted quarter note-eighth
note rhythm and ties. (No compound rhythm.)
6. Recognize when a piece is in the relative minor as opposed to the major position.
7. Accompany with minimal preparation a simple five finger position melody with I and
V6/5 block chords.
Learning objectives
Students will become fluent enough in the above listed skills to proceed successfully to
Class Piano II (MUSI 1182).
It is the goal of all students to know how to read music. Basic knowledge of theory will
be taught.
The class will start with 15 minutes open for students to practice. Then, each student
will perform his or her assigned piece or exercises (students will be chosen at random
or through volunteering) or will be given a chance to ask questions. Students will learn
and practice scales, arpeggios, and chord progressions throughout the semester.
Of course, the structure can change with the level of the class and with the interests of
the students.
SCANS or Core Curriculum Statement and Other Standards
Credit: 3 (3 lecture)
This course is designed to meet the standard of most music schools as a component of
the theory core.
16 WEEK CALENDAR
The class is designed to allow the student to progress at his/her own speed and
comport level. There will be some testing every other day as assignments are
prepared. Due to the individual needs of the students, the calendar is subject to
change:
Week 1 Keyboard basics, simple rhythm, staff, treble clef, bass clef, fingering patterns,
finding white keys
Week 2 grand staff, dynamic signs, half steps, whole step – First written Quiz and First
Piano Performance Quiz
Week 3 Rhythm (eighth notes), dynamic signs, tempo indications, articulation markings,
sharp signs, natural signs, flat signs, solo repertoire from Chapter 1, C Major, G Major, F Major
tetra chord scales, quiz on Rhythm and Repertoire from Chapter 1
Week 4 key signatures (major circle of 5ths), review of C, G & F tetra scales, introduce D,
A, & Bb tetra scales, Quiz on C, G & F tetra scales & Rep. From Chapter 1
Week 5
transposition, review of eighth notes, triplet introduced, review of D, A, & Bb tetra
EDUC 1301 – page 3
scales, review key signatures, introduce chords I & V6 in C, G, D, A, F & Bb. Quiz on Eigth
notes rhythm, rep from Chapter 1, tetra scales D, A, & Bb.
Week 6 Ensemble music; duo partners will be assigned, transposition review, chords
reviewed, tetra scales E, B, F#, C# & Eb introduced, various rhythm exs on pg 53. Quiz on
transposition from Chapter 1, chords, various rhythm exs on pg 53.
Week 7 Chapt 1 ensemble music review & introduce Chapter 2, E, B, F#, C# & Eb tetra
scales reviewed, new chords on B, F#, C#, & Eb introduced, Chapter 2 introduced.
Week 8 Quiz on circle of 5ths major, E, B, F#, C, & Eb scales, B, F#, C#, & Eb chords &
ensemble music; Chapter 2 rep, Ab, Db, Gb, & Cb new scales & new chords introduced.
Week 9 Mid-Term on scales & chords up to week 8, transposition, rhythms from Chapter 1
& eighth notes, circle of 5ths Major
Week 10 Improvisation (pgs 90 & 91), minor circle of 5ths & key signatures introduced, a,
e, b, f#, & c# minor tetra scales & chords
Week 11 Review of week 10, rep from chapter 2. Quiz on a, e, b, f#, & c# minor tetra scales
& chords, improv & circle of 5ths minor
Week 12 rhythm exs from pg 98 & repertoire from Chapter 2 (ensemble or solo), g#, d#, a#,
& d minor scales & chords, introduce Chapter 3
Week 13 Quiz on rhythm exs from pg 98, repertoire from Chapter 2, & g#, d#, a#, & d
minor scales & chords. Use of pedal, staccato, chapter 3 repertoire, new scales & chords: g, c, f,
& Bb minor
Week 14 Quiz on rep from Chapter 3, g, c, f, & Bb minor scales & chords. New scales &
chords: Eb & Ab minor scales & chords & new rep from Chapter 3
Week 15
Review material from after mid-term, starting at week 10
Week 16
FINAL EXAM
Instructional Methods
MUSI 1181 is required of all music majors and audio technology majors.
A broad introduction to all materials will be presented to the class as a whole. If you
miss this information, it is your responsibility to get it from another student.
As the material will be processed differently by individual students according to their
musical background, I will re-explain and demonstrate to individuals when necessary.
Student Assignments
EDUC 1301 – page 4
Students will be given homework at the end of most classes and it is due at the
beginning of the following class.
It is required that students come prepared with a notebook, pencil, and folder for all the
handouts. The teacher will NOT make additional copies for the student.
It is required that students practice at home, in the keyboard lab, or in the practice
rooms in order to prepare for the next class. Students are encouraged to perform solo
in front of each other.
Students are required to attend ONE classical piano concert; proof of concert (such as a
concert ticket or program) must be turned in along with a one-page paper describing
and critiquing the concert.
Assessments
Piano Concert:
Quizzes/Tests:
Midterm Exam (March 22nd 24th)/Final
Final Exam (May 10th at 9am)
Attendance:
15%
30%
25%
30%
Instructional Materials
TEXT: Progressive Class Piano: Elmer Heerema, Alfred Publishing.
HCC Policy Statement - ADA
Services to Students with Disabilities
Students who require reasonable accommodations for disabilities are encouraged to
report to Dr. Becky Hauri at 713-718-7910 to make necessary arrangements. Faculty is
only authorized to provide accommodations by the Disability Support Service Office
HCC Policy Statement: Academic Honesty
A student who is academically dishonest is, by definition, not showing that the
coursework has been learned, and that student is claiming an advantage not available
to other students. The instructor is responsible for measuring each student's individual
achievements and also for ensuring that all students compete on a level playing field.
Thus, in our system, the instructor has teaching, grading, and enforcement roles. You
are expected to be familiar with the University's Policy on Academic Honesty, found in
the catalog. What that means is: if you are charged with an offense, pleading ignorance
of the rules will not help you. Students are responsible for conducting themselves with
honor and integrity in fulfilling course requirements. Penalties and/or disciplinary
proceedings may be initiated by College System officials against a student accused of
scholastic dishonesty. “Scholastic dishonesty”: includes, but is not limited to, cheating
on a test, plagiarism, and collusion.
Cheating on a test includes:
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
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Copying from another students’ test paper;
Using materials not authorized by the person giving the test;
Collaborating with another student during a test without authorization;
EDUC 1301 – page 5
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Knowingly using, buying, selling, stealing, transporting, or soliciting in whole or
part the contents of a test that has not been administered;
Bribing another person to obtain a test that is to be administered.
Plagiarism means the appropriation of another’s work and the unacknowledged
incorporation of that work in one’s own written work offered for credit.
Collusion mean the unauthorized collaboration with another person in preparing written
work offered for credit. Possible punishments for academic dishonesty may include a
grade of 0 or F in the particular assignment, failure in the course, and/or
recommendation for probation or dismissal from the College System. (See the Student
Handbook)
HCC Policy Statements
Class Attendance - It is important that you come to class! Attending class regularly is
the best way to succeed in this class. Research has shown that the single most
important factor in student success is attendance. Simply put, going to class greatly
increases your ability to succeed. You are expected to attend all lecture and labs
regularly. You are responsible for materials covered during your absences. Class
attendance is checked daily. Although it is your responsibility to drop a course for
nonattendance, the instructor has the authority to drop you for excessive absences.
If you are not attending class, you are not learning the information. As the information
that is discussed in class is important for your career, students may be dropped from a
course after accumulating absences in excess of six (6) hours of instruction. The six
hours of class time would include any total classes missed or for excessive tardiness or
leaving class early.
You may decide NOT to come to class for whatever reason. As an adult making the
decision not to attend, you do not have to notify the instructor prior to missing a class.
However, if this happens too many times, you may suddenly find that you have “lost” the
class.
Poor attendance records tend to correlate with poor grades. If you miss any class,
including the first week, you are responsible for all material missed. It is a good idea to
find a friend or a buddy in class who would be willing to share class notes or discussion
or be able to hand in paper if you unavoidably miss a class.
Class attendance equals class success.
Valerie Hartzell’s Attendance Policy:
ATTENDANCE IS MANDATORY! If you must miss class, please notify the division
office of your illness or emergency, or email me, the instructor. You are responsible for
all work covered during your absence. Tests/Exams will NOT be made up if missed.
Quizzes will NOT be made up unless the student has doctor’s note or proof of
emergency (car breaks down, natural disaster-hurricane, fire, etc or death in the family).
EDUC 1301 – page 6
The lowest quiz grade will be dropped; only ONE quiz will be dropped. Going to a
medical appointment during the class is not an excused absence. If the Final Exam is
missed, the student will be automatically failed for the semester.
HCC Course Withdrawal Policy
If you feel that you cannot complete this course, you will need to withdraw from the
course prior to the final date of withdrawal. Before, you withdraw from your course;
please take the time to meet with the instructor to discuss why you feel it is necessary to
do so. The instructor may be able to provide you with suggestions that would enable
you to complete the course. Your success is very important. Beginning in fall 2007, the
Texas Legislature passed a law limiting first time entering freshmen to no more than SIX
total course withdrawals throughout their educational career in obtaining a certificate
and/or degree.
You may withdraw from any class at your own discretion by or before the date given in
the official semester calendar.
NOTE: the instructor for this class will NOT withdraw the student; it is the responsibility
of the student to drop the course if necessary.
Repeat Course Fee
The State of Texas encourages students to complete college without having to repeat
failed classes. To increase student success, students who repeat the same course
more than twice, are required to pay extra tuition. The purpose of this extra tuition fee is
to encourage students to pass their courses and to graduate. Effective fall 2006, HCC
will charge a higher tuition rate to students registering the third or subsequent time for a
course. If you are considering course withdrawal because you are not earning passing
grades, confer with your instructor/counselor as early as possible about your study
habits, reading and writing homework, test taking skills, attendance, course
participation, and opportunities for tutoring or other assistance that might be available.
Classroom Behavior
As your instructor and as a student in this class, it is our shared responsibility to develop
and maintain a positive learning environment for everyone. Your instructor takes this
responsibility very seriously and will inform members of the class if their behavior makes
it difficult for him/her to carry out this task. As a fellow learner, you are asked to respect
the learning needs of your classmates and assist your instructor achieve this critical
goal.
No drinks or food are allowed in the classroom. No gum chewing or cell phones
allowed.
Use of Camera and/or Recording Devices
As a student active in the learning community of this course, it is your responsibility to
be respectful of the learning atmosphere in your classroom. To show respect of your
fellow students and instructor, you will turn off your phone and other electronic devices,
and will not use these devices in the classroom unless you receive permission from the
EDUC 1301 – page 7
instructor.
Use of recording devices, including camera phones and tape recorders, is prohibited in
classrooms, laboratories, faculty offices, and other locations where instruction, tutoring,
or testing occurs. Students with disabilities who need to use a recording device as a
reasonable accommodation should contact the Office for Students with Disabilities for
information regarding reasonable accommodations
Instructor Requirements
As your Instructor, it is my responsibility to:
 Provide the grading scale and detailed grading formula explaining how student
grades are to be derived
 Facilitate an effective learning environment through class activities, discussions,
and lectures
 Description of any special projects or assignments
 Inform students of policies such as attendance, withdrawal, tardiness and make
up
 Provide the course outline and class calendar which will include a description of
any special projects or assignments
 Arrange to meet with individual students before and after class as required
To be successful in this class, it is the student’s responsibility to:
 Attend class and participate in class discussions and activities
 Read and comprehend the textbook
 Complete the required assignments and exams:
 Ask for help when there is a question or problem
 Keep copies of all paperwork, including this syllabus, handouts and all
assignments
Program/Discipline Requirements
It is recommended that you pass this course with a B or better if you want to be
successful in Class Piano II.
Grading
If you are checked off of a part of the assignment, you have received as A. I do not
check off pieces or exercises that are nor reasonably fluent. If you successfully
complete all three chapters, scales and chords, you have an A. You may try any part of
the assignment multiple times.
Grading Scale
All three chapters, mid-term and final, 100%=A
Two chapters, mid-term, final,
80%=B
One chapter, mid-term, final,
60%=D
Anything less
F