Course Syllabus

MUSC 1596 Private Piano I

Course Description

This course provides students with individual piano instruction. Private instruction is required of music majors each semester during college. Music majors receive one-hour lessons each week of the semester. The course is repeatable for credit. This course develops a student's technical, interpretive, sight reading, pedagogical and improvisational skills as well as developing a student's understanding of the history and repertory of the specific instrument/voice. A jury is required at the end of the semester. An additional fee is required.

Justification

As an accredited member of the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM), Snow College is required to provide competent private instruction for music majors in all vocal and instrumental specialties. Private instruction is required of music majors in four-year music degree programs and must appear on student transcripts. This course offers an excellent opportunity for all Snow College students to develop musicianship and performance skills. Courses of this type are taught at all NASM accredited institutions in Utah.

Student Learning Outcomes

1. Private lesson students will:
2. Develop good practice habits, and keep track of practice hours using a practice journal or log sheet
3. Learn proper body posture
4. Learn proper performing technique
5. Learn and refine motor skills required for performance
6. Learn musical literature (appropriate to skill level) from a wide variety of stylistic periods
7. Memorize music for performance (where appropriate)
8. In all cases of performance opportunities, students must demonstrate proper artistic style and technical facility.

Course Content

• Practice journal development
• Correct body posture including embouchure, hand and feet positions, and breathing techniques
• Development of tone within different ranges of the instrument
• Development of dynamic ranges
• Study of language necessary to perform music appropriately
• Study of major and minor scales and arpeggios
• Study of method books and etudes appropriate to student playing level
• Study of solo repertoire appropriate for first-year college students and/or the individual level of the student
• Instruction in performance practice appropriate to stylistic periods
• Development of performance technique, including memorization techniques, stage deportment and anxiety management
• Study and practice will be assessed through instructor feedback and public performance.