Technique classes are focused on helping students improve their instrumental technique in a small group setting of musicians playing similar instruments. Individualized learning plans are created for each student, intended to help students become more proficient in many areas of technical skill and musicianship.
Classwork includes discussion, technical exercises, scales and arpeggios, etudes, and solo repertoire. Piano Technique Studio will guide the students through playing jazz on the piano while developing technical skills that may be used in all musical styles.
Students will study melody, form, harmony, style and improvisation. Sessions will focus on specific technical exercises as well as scales and arpeggios in specific keys. Repertoire and solo pieces will be analyzed and performed, including the
Regional CMEA piece. Homework between sessions will be specific assignments intended to help the student make rapid progress. Over the course of the school year, growth is assessed through the SDA (Skill Development Assessment) process, which includes three solo performances per year for an audience including both students and teachers.
 Become familiar with the standard jazz repertoire, as best suited to students’ individual needs, and a range of techniques commonly used in the performance of modern jazz piano.
 Perform in class on a regular basis to develop confidence, interpretative ability, expression, stylistic awareness, jazz
improvisation and piano technique.
 Practice instrumental exercises appropriate to each student’s level of ability. These may include traditional and
non-traditional scales, arpeggios and rhythmic studies.
 Prepare their assigned solo pieces at home on a regular
basis in order to be well prepared and demonstrate rapid skill
development.
 Take part in discussions and evaluations related to instrumental technique, historical and cultural contexts, and
compositional techniques analyzed through score study.
Fall Semester 2014
Days & times
Mon-Wed 1:00 – 2:00 pm
Instructor: Jeff Fuller
E-Mail: jfuller@aces.org
Phone: (203) 777-5451 x14114
MATERIALS
Students are expected to bring
the following materials to class
every day:
Scores, parts
Pencil with eraser
Instrument, accessories
Flash-drive
At home, student will need:
Metronome
Audio play-back device
Tuner
Headphones
Access to the internet
SKILL DEVELOPMENT
ASSESSMENTS (SDAs)
SDA (baseline) # 1
Monday, October 20 th
1-3 pm in classes
CMEA Regional Auditions*
Saturday, November 15 am – pm TBA th
SDA #2
Mon., Jan. 12 th , 2015
1-3 pm in classes
SDA #3
Mon., May 11 th, 2015
1-3 pm in classes
* CMEA Regional and All-State auditions are not a mandatory part of ECA curriculum. However, they are highly recommended as goals for ECA student musicians.

 ECA Piano Technique Studio Curriculum Guide cont.
Student work in this course will focus on the following categories outlined in the ECA School-Wide Rubric for student achievement:
Expertise: Students will improve in their ability to perform piano performances of assigned repertoire, to express written and verbal articulation of genre and appropriate technique.
Work Ethic: Students will be able to identify challenging musical passages and areas of technique that need improvement; be able to generate practice strategies that address and overcome these challenges; to work with punctuality, preparation, attention, focus, and enthusiasm; to contribute to a productive and positive studio session.
Risk & Personal Challenge: Students will improve in their willingness and ability to take risks for the purpose of advancing their learning and the learning of others, to work with an increased understanding that mistakes yield to improvement, that achievement requires failure, and that tackling and isolating the most difficult passages and techniques allows for meaningful improvement.
Working within a Diverse Artistic Community:
Students will become adept at working with others through teamwork, meaningful dialogue, and direct and positive performance analysis. Students will participate with an increased awareness of goals, respect for others’ time, space, and ideas, and will show willingness to support and assist peers.
The ECA Piano Technique Studio offers challenging music in a rigorous learning environment. This is very rewarding and exciting, but requires dedication, commitment, and disciplined work. As pianists you will learn how to better perform on your instrument, how to accurately read a jazz arrangement, how to play a jazz improvised solo, how to perform in several diverse jazz styles, and how to communicate musical ideas. You will be challenged to take both personal and musical risks, and to commit to engaging in a collaborative environment that requires the ability to be open to new ideas, the willingness to respond to others, and the sensitivity to perceive and express. This experience will require your knowledge, your mind, and your heart.
Methods of Evaluation
Student achievement in the primary
categories listed in Course Objectives,
will be assessed through the following
formal methods:
Daily studio sessions
SDA performances
Weekly assignments
Evidence of practice at home
Class discussion
Students will also demonstrate
achievement toward course objectives
through class discussion, punctuality,
preparation for class, taking personal
risks, supporting others, contributing
to a positive learning environment,
demonstrating leadership skills,
taking initiative, and communicating
questions and needs.
Students will receive ongoing, verbal,
and written feedback on their
progress. Please contact me anytime,
in person, via email, or by phone for
additional feedback.
Quarterly grades are reported through
PowerTeacher with letter grades and
narrative comments.
REPERTOIRE
Fall Semester: to be drawn from CMEA
Regional solo piano piece (“A Doll”); various jazz scales and chord arpeggios; analysis of standards from the Real Book.
Spring Semester: to be drawn from CMEA
All-State solo piano piece (TBA); various jazz scales and chord arpeggios; analysis of standards from the Real Book.
ASSIGNMENTS
Home Practice
Exercises
SDA preparation