ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY
COLLEGE OF VISUAL & PERFORMING ARTS
DEPARTMENT OF MUSIC
COURSE SYLLABUS
SEMINAR IN KEYBOARD TRADITIONS
COURSE NAME: MUS 471
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
A practical survey of the interpretation and performance practices of keyboard music.
CREDIT HOURS:
1
INSTRUCTOR:
Dr. Joel C. Jones
PHONE:
(334) 229-4174
OFFICE:
Tullibody Music Building 315-317
OFFICE HOURS:
as posted or by appointment
ATTENDANCE POLICY:
See University Bulletin
Any student requiring alternative formats for testing and/or handouts for this course, or other types of
accommodation, due to a handicapping condition, should advise the instructor within the first week of class.
Purpose of the Course
The purpose of this course is to develop proficiency in the knowledge of various keyboard styles. This course will
include literature from the harpsichord, piano and organ.
MUS 471 fulfills the following institutional, state, and national standards:
Alabama State University Conceptual Framework 1.1
Alabama State Department of Education Rules for Music Knowledge and Ability Standards:
290-3-3.32(1)(a)3.; 290-3-3.32(1)(b)1.; 290-3-3.32(1)(b)6.
INTASC Standards 1, 4, and 7
NASM Standards VIII. B.3.., VII.D.2.(4) (Bachelor of Arts); VIII.B.4.
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Instructional Objectives
Students will:
A. Know the characteristics of the French “classic” school.
B. Discuss the application of “notes inegals.”
C. Know the elements of the southern and northern German schools prior to Bach.
D. Know the chief characteristics of J.S. Bach’s keyboard style.
E. Know the characteristics of the keyboard style of Domenico Scarlatti.
F. Compare harpsichord and piano recordings of the same work of both J. S. Bach and Domenico Scarlatti.
G. Know the key elements of the classical Viennese keyboard style.
H. Discuss the influence of the classical Viennese composers on later generations.
I. Know the chief characteristics of Beethoven’s keyboard style.
J. Compare modulatory procedures between the early and late style of Beethoven’s keyboard works.
K. Write a five-page paper (double-spaced, with footnotes) on an assigned topic related to keyboard styles.
The topic will be assigned by the instructor, and will be graded on content as well as grammar.
Evaluation and Minimum Standards
Objectives A will be evaluated on Test one. There will be a total of 30 objective questions. The student must
correctly answer 21 of the 30 to pass the objective.
Objective B will be evaluated on Test one. There will be one essay question worth a total of 20 points. The student
must achieve at least 15 of the 20 points. The student must pass the essay question, and the question will be graded
both and content and grammar as follows: organization 20%, content 60% and grammatical skills 20%.
Objective C will be tested on test three. There will be 30 objective questions. The student must correctly answer 21
of the 30 to pass this objective.
Objectives D will be evaluated on test four. There will be a total of 50 objective questions. The student must
correctly answer 35 of the questions to pass this objective.
Objective E will be tested on test five. There will be a total of 30 questions. The student must correctly answer 21 of
the 30 to pass the objective.
Objectives F will be tested on tests four and five. There will be a total of 10 questions. The student must
successfully answer 7 of the 10 to pass the objective
Objective G will be tested on test six. There will be total of 50 objective questions. The student must correctly
answer 35 of the 50 to pass the objective.
Objective H will be tested on test six as well. There will be one essay question worth a total of 20 points. The
student must achieve at least 15 of the 20 points. The student must pass the essay question, and the question will
be graded both on content, organization, and grammar as follows: organization 20%, content 60% and grammatical
skills 20%.
Objective I will be test on test seven. There will be a total of 30 objective questions. The student must correctly
answer 21 of the 30 to pass the objective.
Objective J will be tested on test seven. There will be one essay question worth 20 points. The student must
achieve the qualifications for the essay listed above under Objectives B and H.
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Objective K will be evaluated as the final examination. The paper, upon a topic assigned by the instructor relating to
keyboard styles, must be a minimum of 5 pages, double-spaced, with footnotes. The paper will be graded as follows:
organization 20%, content 60%, and grammatical skills 20%. The paper will be worth 100 points. The student must
achieve 80 of the 100 to successfully pass this objective.
GRADING
To achieve a grade of A in the course, the student must achieve all the objectives of the course, and successfully
achieve 93 of the 100 points of the final examination.
To achieve a grade of B in the course, the student must achieve all objectives of the course, and successfully
achieve 85 of the 100 points of the final examination.
To achieve a grade of C in the course, the student bust achieve objectives A, C, D. G, H, and I and successfully
answer 80 of the 100 points of the final examination.
To receive a grade of D in the course, the student must correctly complete objectives C, D, G, and H, and correctly
achieve 70 of the 100 points of the final examination.
Failure to achieve any of the requirements for a D will result in an F for the course.
Course Requirements and Materials
Attendance: Regular class attendance and participation is required.
Text: A History of Musical Style by Richard Crocker
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