MUSA 1271

Class Piano I for Music Majors and Minors

Information Sheet and Syllabus*

 

Class Meets: Monday, Wednesday and Friday

11:30 a.m. to 12:20 p.m.

Piano Class Lab

 

Instructor:         Dr. Dena Kay Jones

Office:              436 Music Building, Fox Fine Arts

Email:               dkjones@utep.edu

Telephone:        747-6625

Office Hour:     I am available to schedule office hour meetings upon request by any s                            student in this course

Course Description:  an active study in comfortably reading and performing beginning leveled music, developing sight reading skills, understanding the most basic of harmonic structure, preparing and performing pieces, and achieving adequate facility with the keyboard.

Goals: to introduce basic fundamentals to keyboard technique, to reinforce music theory study, and to provide the beginning level music major and minor with the necessary keyboard skills to enhance performance, teaching and/or learning practice.  Prerequisite:  none

Objectives:

·  All notes on the keyboard

·  All basic notational markings

·  Basic rhythms

·  Major and Minor Five-Finger Patterns

·  Basic chord spellings and inversions

·  Scales in all major keys, two octaves, hands together

·  Arpeggios in selected major keys, one octave, hands separate and together

·  Dominant Seventh Chords

·  Subdominant Chords

·  Diatonic chords in selected major keys

·  Improvisational introduction

·  Sight reading development

·  Collaborative techniques

·  Repertoire and basic performances of easy piano pieces

 

Required Textbook:

Lancaster, E. L. and Kenon D. Renfrow.  Alfred's Group Piano for Adults Book 1.  Van Nuys, CA:  Alfred Publishing Co., Inc., 1995.  [ISBN#:  0-88284-653-1].

 

Final Exam:

 

*subject to change
Grading:

 

TESTS

There will be five tests given throughout the semester, with the final exam being test five.  Each test will be weighted as 14% of your total grade.  When combined, these tests will make up 70% of your total grade.  The tests will be primarily performance tests, where the instructor will hear the student perform.  There may be, however, written parts included in these tests as well.  These tests are to be a representation of the student’s comprehension and preparation of the subjects introduced in class.

 

QUIZZES

The number of quizzes given during the semester will not be pre-determined.  The instructor may give “pop” quizzes.  These quizzes will be smaller representations of comprehension and preparation.  When all quiz scores are combined at the end of the semester, they will make up 15% of your grade.

 

HOMEWORK

Although not much written homework will be assigned throughout the semester, these assignments are very important to the learning process.  At least three homework assignments will be given, but the instructor may or may not give more, depending on the need of the class.  These scores, when combined at the end of the semester, will make up 15% of your grade.

 

SUMMARY:

Tests (5 @ 14% each) = 70%

Quizzes = 15%

Homework (at least 3 @ 5% each) = 15%

 

The instructor will base each grade on a point system, following the University of Texas at El Paso’s grading system:

90-100             =   A

80-89               =   B

70-79               =   C

60-69               =   D

below 60          =   E

 

Each test marks the end of a unit.  There will be five unites in the semester.  Your attendance is vital, and if more than two absences occur within the semester, this will affect your unit grade (see information below on Attendance).

 

HOW DOES THE INSTRUCTOR GRADE MY WORK?

Although music, when performed, is not always “objectified,” it is in the policy of this piano lab to work on concrete ideas in the learning arena.  Each student will not be graded on how well he/she can perform IN COMPARISON TO other students’ ability.  This class encourages individual growth.  Certain aspects, which will help students to reach their best potential, are (and things the instructor will be looking for when grading the students’ exams, quizzes, and homework):

--How well does the student comprehend the subject presented in class?
--How prepared is the student in doing his/her best for his/her level?

--How confidant is the student when performing?

Although speed is not of importance, facility is.  The student should feel comfortable and confident in whatever is being performed.  Please do not hesitate in contacting the instructor if something is “tripping you up.”  This is the instructor’s job and the two of you can work on making problems resolve and playing to become easier.

 

  Attendance

  • Attendance is required and will be taken at the beginning of each class meeting. .
  • Absences: you are allowed to have 2 unexcused absences during the semester. Your grade will be dropped 3% points for every unexcused absence beyond the 3 allowed.
  • Each tardy will be considered 1/2 absence
  • Excused absences should be, if possible at all, notified to the instructor in advance, and followed by a note from the Music Department’s Chair, Dean of the college, appropriate professor or doctor.
  • Attendance is required for all examinations. No make-ups will be given, unless there is an emergency.  If you miss a class, please contact the instructor to ask about anything missed.  It is your responsibility to take care of understanding the topic presented and handing in missed homework/quizzes/or exams.  If too much time has passed, the instructor may decide whether or not it is appropriate to allow a make-up.  Late work for unexcused absences will automatically be dropped by two letter grades.   Attendance to Final Examination is mandatory. An absence in final examination will result in failing the class.

 

Practice Requirement:

Although some class time will be given for practicing, each student needs to develop a routine to promote individual progress through practice outside of class.  The UTEP Music Department houses many pianos, available for your practice use on each of the four floors of the building.  Thirty to Forty-five minutes per day of individual practice time will be require from each student.

 

Rules for the piano lab:

·  No food or drink allowed near the keyboards.  Please leave all food and drink (this includes water bottles) in the back of the classroom.

·  No cell phones, pagers, palmtops, wireless electronic devices allowed in class. You should turn off all devices before entering the classroom.

·  Please treat instruments and headphones with care.

·  Please do not erase over the keyboards as the shavings may drop into the keys.  Erase behind or to the side of the keyboards.

 

Course outline

   WEEK                                          CONTENT                             ASSIGNMENTS

Class One: August 22

Introduction, Information Sheet, Unit One

 

Class Two: August 24

Unit One and into Unit Two

 

Class Three:  August 26

Unit Two

Soul of Spain

August 29th   NO CLASS

LABOR DAY

 

Class Four: September 2

Unit Three

 

Class Five: September 5

Unit Three

 

Class Six: September 7

TEST ONE

 

Class Seven:  September 9

TEST ONE, Begin Unit Four

 

Class Eight: September 12

Unit Four

 

Class Nine: September 14

Unit Five

 

Class Ten: September 16

Brown Bag Forum

Music Sandwiched In

Class Eleven:  September 19

Unit Five

Sept. 20th, UTEP Jazz Bands

Class Twelve:  September 21

Unit Six

 

Class Thirteen:  September 23

Unit Six

 

Class Fourteen: September 26

TEST TWO

 

Class Fifteen:  September 28

TEST TWO, Begin Unit Seven

Sept. 29th, Faculty Recital

Class Sixteen:  September 30

Unit Seven

 

Class Seventeen: October 3

Unit Seven

 

Class Eighteen: October 5

Unit Eight

Oct. 5th, UTEP Orchestra

Class Nineteen: October 7

Unit Eight

Oct. 9th, Urban Brass

Class Twenty:  October 10

Unit Nine

Oct. 11th,  University Choirs

Class Twenty-One:  October 12

Unit Nine

Oct. 12th, Wind Ensemble

Oct. 13th, Composition Recital

Class Twenty-Two:  October 14

TEST THREE

Oct. 15th, Faculty Recital

Class Twenty-Three: October 17

TEST THREE, Begin Unit Ten

 

Class Twenty-Four: October 19

Unit Ten

 

Class Twenty-Five: October 21

Brown Bag Forum

Music Sandwiched In

Class Twenty-Six:  October 24

Unit Ten

Oct. 25th, Jazz Bands

Class Twenty-Seven:  October 26

Unit Eleven

 

Class Twenty-Eight:  October 28

Unit Eleven

Oct. 28th, Flute Recital

Class Twenty-Nine: October 31

Unit Twelve

 

Class Thirty:  November 2

Unit Twelve

Nov. 2-6, Once on This Island

Class Thirty-One:  November 4

Unit Twelve

 

Class Thirty-Two:  November 7

TEST FOUR

Nov. 7th, Pandemonium

Nov. 8th, University Choirs

Class Thirty-Three: November 9

TEST FOUR, Being Unit Thirteen

Nov. 9th, Faculty Jazz

Class Thirty-Four: November 11

Unit Thirteen

Nov. 11th, Piano Recital

Class Thirty-Five: November 14

Unit Thirteen

 

Class Thirty-Six: November 16

Unit Fourteen

 

Class Thirty-Seven: November 18

Unit Fourteen

Nov. 20th, Women’s Glee

Class Thirty-Eight: November 21

Unit Fourteen, Being Fifteen

Nov. 22nd, Wind Ensemble

Class Thirty-Nine: November 23

Unit Fifteen

Nov. 23rd, Univ. Orchestra

November 25th, NO CLASS

 Happy Thanksgiving!

 

Class Forty:  November 28

Unit Fifteen

Nov. 29th, University Choirs

Class Forty-One:  November 30

Unit Fifteen and Review

Nov. 30th, Jazz Bands

December 2, NO CLASS

DEAD DAY

 

 

December 5-9 FINALS

FINAL Wednesday, December 7th, 1:00 p.m. to 3:45 p.m.