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Course Syllabus

MUSC 1595 Private Piano Fundamentals

  • Division: Fine Arts, Comm, and New Media
  • Department: Music
  • Credit/Time Requirement: Credit: 1; Lecture: .5-1; Lab: 1-2
  • Repeatable: Yes.
  • Prerequisites: Permission of Instructor
  • Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring
  • Semester Approved: Fall 2022
  • Five-Year Review Semester: Fall 2027
  • End Semester: Summer 2028
  • Optimum Class Size: 1
  • Maximum Class Size: 1

Course Description

This course provides students with individual piano instruction and is repeatable one time for credit. This course develops a student's technical, interpretive, sight reading, pedagogical and improvisational skills while increasing his/her understanding of the history and repertory of the piano. The course is open to all music students hoping to focus primarily on piano technique. (Course fee)

Justification

This course provides individual piano instruction at a beginning level. It is intended to provide personalized instruction for students who may not be prepared to begin the four semester Class Piano sequence. The class may also serve to supplement a student’s progress towards completing the Snow College piano proficiency exam. Piano proficiency is a requirement for all National Association of Schools of Music (NASM) accredited institutions. This class is most like MUSC 1996 Private Lessons I at the University of Utah.

Student Learning Outcomes

  1. Students will develop good practice habits.
  2. Students will demonstrate correct body posture, arm and hand frames, and correct fingerings when playing exercises of various sorts that include note reading, Major and minor scales, arpeggios, dynamics, chords, and chord inversions.
  3. Learn proper performing technique and refine motor skills required for performance.
  4. Learn musical literature (appropriate to skill level) from various world cultures, time periods, genders, and musical styles.
  5. Memorize music for performance (where appropriate)

Course Content

• Correct body posture including hand and feet positions• Study of fingerings and correct hand frames• 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 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.