The Piano Pedagogy Certification is 12 credits:
7 credits in piano pedagogy
2 credits in piano literature, and 3 elective credits
MUS 361 Piano Pedagogy I - 3 credits
MUS 371 Piano Pedagogy II - 3 credits
MUS 379 Piano Pedagogy Masterclass
(to be taken after MUS 361 and MUS 371) - 1 credit
MUS 310 Piano Literature - 2 credits
Students may choose 3 credits from the following elective credits:
MUS 141 and 142 Piano lessons - 2 credits
MUS 144 and 145 Piano lessons - 4 credits
PED 166 Beginning Ballet -1 credit (credit/no credit)*
MUS 126 Collaborative Piano - 1 credit
MUS 104 Chamber Music Ensembles - .5 credits
MUS 180 Performance Anxiety Class - 1 credit
*Pilates is another choice
Other courses of interest:
PSY 301 Child Development - 3 credits
PSY 331 Adolescent Development - 3 credit
Overview of Piano Pedagogy courses:
Courses: Piano Pedagogy 361 and 371 are required of all BM piano majors.
These courses serve as electives for BA or BME music majors
Both classes must be taken sequentially, for an entire academic year.
GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY-Piano Pedagogy MUS 361
Fall-3 credits Pedagogy I, MUS 361
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
Students will develop practical knowledge in piano teaching. They will be able to: 1)
teach the essentials of reading, rhythm, technique, theory, sight reading, ear
training, general musicianship. 2) learn how to motivate students and how to teach
them to practice efficiently 3) learn the anatomy of a lesson 4) An introduction to
different learning styles 5) learn the basics of technique, and how to teach students
to play with freedom and ease at the keyboard 6) Discover the four stages to
learning a piece 7) learn about the different piano methods from a historical point of
view 8) learn how to select supplementary repertoire and materials 9) Learn how to
teach interpretation to young students 10) A teaching practicum offers first-hand
experience with teaching beginner students.
Winter - 3 credits Pedagogy II, MUS 371
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
Continuation of the method and supplementary materials.
Intermediate and early-advanced repertoire and technique; how to teach these
levels of repertoire. Performance of repertoire required, as well as leveling and
deciding student’s repertoire goals for the year. The transfer student;
Supplementary materials - repertoire, theory, technique, ear training, ensemble
music, elementary jazz, and sight reading; peer teaching. How to establish an
independent studio; professionalism. Observation of and tutoring students taking
keyboard musicianship classes. Continuation of teaching private lessons to
beginners. Oral presentations are a part of this course as well as teaching
demonstrations and performances of intermediate through early advanced
repertoire.
Students will develop an even greater knowledge in piano teaching. They will be
able to: 1) teach the essentials of reading, rhythm, technique, theory, sight reading,
ear training, general musicianship for the intermediate level student. 2) continue to
learn how to motivate students and how to teach them to practice efficiently 3)
continue to learn how to communicate with parents 4) learn the requirements of
technical regimes for the most important testing system (MI state achievement
testing) 5) Learn about the various performance opportunities for pre-college
students in the community and the state (20th/21st century Piano Festival,
Sonatina/Sonata Festival, Guild, Federation Festival, MI achievement testing, GR
concerto competition) 6) continue to learn how to select appropriate
supplementary repertoire and materials for each age level in the intermediate years
(ages 10-14) 7) Continue to learn how to teach private lessons in combination with
group piano classes 8) how to teach the transfer student who is often at a
disadvantage 9) how to establish and maintain an independent studio. 10)
Observation of GVSU keyboard musicianship classes so that students will be ready
for graduate school assistantships 11) Learn how to teach students how to
memorize. 12) An introduction to the ABRSM (Associated Board of Royal School of
Music exams) How to write a professional studio policy, how to start a studio, how
to interview for a community school preparatory level position or for graduate
school auditions. 14) Learn more about the psychology of different learners.
MUS 379 - Piano Pedagogy Masterclass- one-credit.
This class focuses on late intermediate and early advanced repertoire and technique
so that one can maintain a strong studio with high standards.
Students will observe Dr. Marlais teach one of the following depending on their
interest and career goals: beginner student lessons, intermediate level student
lessons, early advanced level student lessons, adult student lessons. Keyboard
musicianship classes are also the focus. In conjunction with their observations, the
pedagogy student will teach short segments as assigned. The intent is to give
students the opportunity to hone skills in a pedagogical specialty they find of
particular interest. This should be especially useful for students who wish to go on
to graduate school or who wish to build a private studio. Students who take this
course will meet once a week, as a group. The art of adjudication will be addressed
and it will be combined with the GVSU 20th/21st century piano festival in October.
This course is designed for students to develop and hone their skills in piano
teaching.
The course has many facets -- two important ones are: 1) to focus on intermediate,
late intermediate, and early advanced repertoire so that one can maintain a strong
studio with high standards. 2) Work through various projects of MTNA national
certification.
Assignments
1) Synthesizing what you have learned in Piano Pedagogy MUS 361 and 371 in
an effective manner to be able to teach piano repertoire: using practice
strategies, composer information, musical characteristics of each era,
technique, interpretive details, and memorization. Succeeding with the
Masters, Volume Two, Baroque, Classical, and Romantic eras. Four pieces are
due during the semester
2) A perusal and review of supplementary materials in the library – theory,
sight reading, technique, repertoire, jazz books, contemporary repertoire,
duets for each level of student’s advancement – due for the midterm.
3) Interpretation of one advanced work – due for the midterm.
4) Learn how to develop a student’s healthy technique, using Succeeding at the
Piano (including Seven Touch Releases), Etudes with Technique, Play your
Scales and Chords Every Day, and pure technique.
5) Keyboard Musicianship Classes
6) Projects 1, 2, and 5 of the MTNA Certification
7) Performances of early intermediate/intermediate/late intermediate level
repertoire. The Festival CollectionR, - Books 3-6, and SWTM Volumes 1 and
2. Pieces are to be played in an artistic and musical manner. It is important
that teachers model well for their students when they are young, and it is
important for teachers to be able to convey to the student the musical and
technical issues in each piece. The mark of an excellent musician is one who
can make any piece sound terrific - short or long, easy or advanced. The
other students in the class will be the judges. We will use the “Art of judging”
form. 4 pieces for midterms, 8 additional pieces performed for final.
8) Teaching of repertoire using different student scenarios. Four to be
completed during the semester.
9) Presentation of leveling and reasoning behind choice of repertoire at all
levels – grade school, junior high school, high school.
• How to make change in student’s playing
• Continue the art of questioning for discovery learning
• Learn the difference between a student centered or a teacher centered approach
• Learn how to project the voice; use of word language; and how to be a
professional in the field.
• Demonstrate technique levels in the MI achievement-testing program
• Learn how to pace a lesson (length of time spent on any one activity)
• Research and describe learning theories and their application to piano
students
• Learn the basic and most essential practice strategies for intermediate and lateintermediate repertoire
• Learn how to perform better - the tools to help students play artistically and deal
with performance anxiety
• Learn how to play intermediate, late intermediate, and early advanced teaching
repertoire musically and technique well
• Learn how to teach keyboard musicianship classes for university music majors,
to be prepared for graduate school assistantships.
Timetable –
This certification process can be completed within four semesters:
2013-2014 (starting in odd years)
Fall: Piano Pedagogy I, MUS 361
Winter: Piano Pedagogy II, MUS 371
2014-2015 (starting in even years)
Fall: Piano Literature, MUS 310
Winter: Piano Pedagogy Masterclass, MUS 379