|
|
|
|
|
VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY MUSI 205 - Class Piano Section 01 MW 1:00; Davis Hall G27 Section 02 MW 2:00; Davis Hall G27 Dr. David Shaffer-Gottschalk Office: Studio 209 524-5332, dshaffer@vsu.edu Office Hours: TBA Purpose: to provide music majors (non-keyboard majors) with necessary keyboard skills to function adequately as musical professionals. These skills are taught through a four-semester program which includes a proficiency examination. The content of class piano includes learning pieces written for the keyboard, sightreading, harmonization and transposition, basic chord progressions, and scales and arpeggios. Prerequisite: MUSI 106 or placement by the instructor Text: Pianolab, 4th ed., by Carolyn A. Lindeman (Belmont, California: Wadsworth Publishing, 2000). [This text should be already in student’s possession from previous course] Harmonization at the Piano, 6th ed., by Arthur Frackenpohl. (Dubuque, IA: Wm. C. Brown, 1991). Four Star Sight Reading and Ear Tests, Book 4. by Boris Berlin and Andrew Markow Mississauga, Ontario: Frederick Harris Music, 2002). A 3-ring binder for handouts, patriotic songs, and sightreading materials is also required.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities: KNOWLEDGE - know the notes, rhythms, chords, fingerings, practice strategies, and musical details needed to pass the Class Piano Proficiency Examination. SKILLS I. Scales & Arpeggios A. Scales - 2 octaves, hands together, parallel motion 1. All Majors 2. All minors - 3 forms B. Arpeggios - all Major and minor triads/root position/ 2 octaves, HT, parallel motion II. Chord Progressions - consisting of the following chords in keys of up to 4 sharps or flats/both hands: A. Major - I vi IV ii V V7 I B. minor - i VI iv ii V V7 i III. Harmonization & Transposition A. Prepared Harmonization & Transposition - prepared harmonization of "Happy Birthday" in 3 different keys (from memory) B. Prepared Harmonization using lead-sheet chord symbols IV. Prepared Repertoire (memorized) A. Patriotic Songs 1. "The Star-Spangled Banner" 2. "Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing" V. Sightreading A. Full keyboard score B. Melody with lead-sheet chord symbols (chords accepted in any inversion - proper voice-leading not necessary to pass) C. Harmonization of a given short melody using primary chords only D. Transposition of a given melody to any key up to 4 sharps or flats ABILITIES I. Scales & Arpeggios - played with control of tempo and tone with ease and comfort II. Chords - exercise control of tone, ease of playing, and confidence III. Harmonization & Transposition - perform musically satisfying renditions of transposed and harmonized melodies IV. Repertoire - perform musically satisfying renditions of the examination repertoire and other selection(s) at appropriate tempi V. Sightreading - demonstrate ease in approaching at-sight music-making with confidence
Evaluation: The Class Piano Proficiency Examination will be administered at the completion of MUSI 205 as the Final Examination for the course. Completion of this exam is necessary to complete the Class Piano requirement in all non-keyboard major curricula at VSU. The student must pass EACH of the five components with a 70% or better in order to pass the examination and progress to MUSI 206. Failure to do so will result in the student taking MUSI 205 again the following Fall semester.
Once the Proficiency Examination is passed, the grade for MUSI 205 will be computed as follows: Composite Proficiency Examination grade 50% In-class graded work 50%
Class Policies and Expectations: 1. Attendance - attendance is recorded for each class session. The class will begin and end on time. 2. Practicing - Because class piano teaches a skill, daily practice is essential to the successful and timely completion of the course and to the overall class piano program. It is not enough to merely attend class and expect to pass. You will probably need to set aside at least an hour daily as you approach the Proficiency Exam. 3. Students should always have a pencil (not pen) with them at all times. No food, drinks, or gum are allowed in the piano lab. Any student with a disability covered by the American Disability Act should see Dr. Shaffer-Gottschalk privately to discuss details of any needed arrangements.
Supplementary Helps/Bibliography Other textbooks for Class Piano can provide supplementary materials in all of the skill areas. Heerema, Elmer. Progressive Class Piano: a practical approach for the older beginner. Sherman Oaks, CA: Alfred Pub. Co., 1980. Hilley, Martha and Lynn Freeman Olson. Piano for Pleasure: a basic course for adults 2nd ed. St. Paul, West Pub. Co., 1992. Mach, Elyse. Contemporary Class Piano, 2nd ed. New York: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1982. McLain, Margaret Starr. Class Piano. Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1974. Sheftel, Paul. The Keyboard: explorations and discoveries. New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1981. Many of the beginning piano methods include graded sightreading books to be used with the basic method book. Examples from the Bastien series are: Sight Reading, levels 1-4, from The Bastien Piano Library. San Diego, CA: Kjos West, 1976. A Line A Day, levels 1-4, from Bastien Piano Basics. San Diego, CA: Kjos West, 1990. Other sightreading books. Burmeister, Ellen. Keyboard Sightreading. Mountain View, CA: Mayfield Publishing, 1991. Havill, Lorina. You Can Sight Read, Book One. Bryn Mawr, PA: Theodore Presser, 1967. Spillman, Robert. Sightreading at the Keyboard. New York: Schirmer Books, 1990. Harmonization. The standard text for harmonization is: Frackenpohl, Arthur. Harmonization at the Piano, 6th ed. Dubuque, IA: Wm. C. Brown, 1991.
|
