Cypress College
MUS 135C Beginning Piano
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Instructor:
Dr. Rose Chen
Office Hours: All communication will be by email
Email:
Rchen@cypresscollege.edu
Phone:
(714)484-7000 Ext 48973
Response time is generally within 24 hrs. Weekends will be answered on
Monday.
Course Identification
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Course Number:
Semester:
Time:
Room:
Prerequisites:
MUS 135 C CRN#: 21481
Spring 2014
Monday 2-4:05pm
FA-214D
None
Course Description.
UC/CSU, CSU GE
This course is a study of basic piano techniques in a class situation. Includes functional
use of basic chordal and scale material, reading music notation and rhythms, and
presentation of elementary piano study as a basis for lifelong growth in music as art.
Required of music majors whose piano skills are non-existent or very limited. Open to all
students. May be taken for credit 2 times. Pass/No Pass/Letter Grade Option.
Course Objectives
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.
Demonstrate correct hand position, fingerings, and body mechanics for performing
elementary piano literature.
Read and recognize staff notation in both the treble and bass clefs.
Identify time signatures and perform music in simple meters.
Identify and perform simple rhythms including whole, half, quarter, eighth, and
dotted notes.
Play and demonstrate five-finger patterns, scales, and chord progressions, (I, IV,
V7) in the keys of C, G, and F Major.
Interpret and apply basic musical terminology required for performance including
dynamic markings, tempo, and other performance indications.
Perform repertoire appropriate for beginning students, which includes known folk
tunes, simple transcriptions of classic themes, and other assigned or approved
repertoire.
SLOs
1. Upon completion of the course, students will successfully demonstrate the ability to
interpret music and identify written notes on the bass and treble staff with 80%
accuracy
2. Upon completion of the course, students will be able to play from a written score
using correct pitch, rhythm, phrasing and dynamics with 80% accuracy.
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Required Textbook/Supplies
 Adult Piano Adventures All-In-One Lesson Book 1 by Nancy and Randall Faber. The
campus bookstore: www.cypresscollegebookstore.com
 Staff paper, notebook, pencil, and headphones (1/8”phono plug).
Weekly Assignments (Subject to change)
Week 1:
Week 2:
Week 3:
Week 4:
Week 5:
Week 6:
Week 7:
Week 8:
Week 9:
Week 10:
Week 11:
Week 12
Week 13
Week 14:
Week 15
Week 16:
Adult Piano Adventures Lesson Book 1
Unit 1 (Introduction to playing)
Unit 2-3 (Orientation to the staff and notation)
Unit 4 (Playing intervals and triads. Rests.)
Unit 5-6 (Hands playing in parallel motion. Eighth notes)
Unit 7 (Cross-hands playing)
Unit 8-9 (Pentascales. C and G Chords)
Unit 10 (Sharp and flat signs) Practice selected music for Midterm
Mid-term
Unit 11 (Intervals 4th, 5th and 6th)
Unit 12 (C Major Scale)
Unit 13-14 (C Major Primary chords I-IV-V7)
Unit 14 (More on Primary chords I-IV-V7)
Unit 15-16 (Key signature. G Major scale and primary chords)
F Major scale and primary chords
Review on scales and chords. Practice selected music for final.
Final
Attendance: Students must be disciplined. Weekly contact with the teacher is a must.
Students that attend regularly and on time generally do better. A student is in jeopardy of
being dropped from the roll due to absences or lack of participation. Grade will be
lowered 5% for each absence and 2.5% for each tardy. Individual problems of extended
absence due to illness or other cause may be resolved by consultation with the
instructor. Cypress College 2013-2014 Catalog.
Home Preparation: Students must be prepared for the day’s lesson in advance and
must demonstrate proficiency in their weekly studied material/pieces.
Grading policy A = 90-100 B = 80-89 C= 70-79 D= 60-69 F 0-59
Students will be graded on the following:
Attendance/Participation
Weekly assignments
Midterm
Final
30%
30% (Weekly evaluation on selected pieces from the book)
20%
20%
Admissions and Records is the first contact students will generally have with Cypress
College. The Office provides clear and concise information to all members of the
community. The Admissions and Records Office is located on the first floor of the
Student Center. Cypress College 2013-2014 Catalog.
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Sexual Harassment/Discrimination Policy: Students who believe they have been
subjected to unlawful discrimination, including sexual harassment, or who seek
information regarding the District’s Unlawful Discrimination Policy, should contact the
Office of the District Director of Human Resources. Cypress College 2013-2014
Catalog.
Food/Beverage Policy: No food in the room! Only water to drink.
Pager/Cell Phone Policy: All electronic devices will be turned off during rehearsal/class
time. Please turn these devices off before entering.
Academic Honesty Policy
Please click on www.cypresscollege.edu and click on the "Schedule and Catalog" link.
This is the Cypress College Academic Honesty Policy, which can also be found in the
Cypress College 2013-2014 Catalog.
Student Services
For your student and instructional service needs, click on www.cypresscollege.edu
Campus Safety
Provides escort service upon request at (714) 484-7387.
Special Needs
Students with verified disabilities requiring accommodations should make a specific
request of the instructor at the beginning of the semester or one week prior to the specified
need.
Advisement/Counseling
The Webpage for counselors and their e-mail addresses is located under Counseling on
the Cypress College Website at www.cypresscollege.edu
Availability of On-Campus Computers
On-campus computers for student use are in the Library and Learning Resource Center.
Tips For Success
The successful student is independent, self-motivated, willing to learn on-their-own, and
willing to ask questions as soon as questions arise. They are also good with written
instructions, good at expressing themselves in writing, and are aware that technology is
as much a convenience as a barrier.
Stay on task and be aware of your personal timelines when completing assignments.
Cypress College Library Learning Resources
The Music Library is located on the second floor of the Fine Arts Building Room 212
The library web page provides access to an online catalog listing the library holdings
from Cypress, Fullerton, Golden west, Orange Coast, Cal State Fullerton and Cal State
Long Beach. Students will need their campus ID card to check books out from these
libraries.
Online Writing Lab
(OWL) OWL brings the writing center services to cyberspace. Besides a host of links
and downloadable handouts for writers, the OWL also offers interactive exercises,
Power Point lessons, tutor email and a tutor chat room. OWL is located at:
www.cypresscollege.edu/~writing
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