MUSA 1269

Class Piano I for Non Majors

Syllabus*

Class Meets: Monday and Wednesday

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

Course Description:  an active study in learning to read and perform the most basic, beginning-leveled music, to understand the introductory principals of harmonic structure, and to achieve an adequate facility with the keyboard

 

Goals: to introduce basic fundamentals to keyboard technique, to introduce music theory study, and to provide the beginning level non-music major 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

·  Select scales in major keys, two octaves, hands together

·  Collaborative techniques

·  Repertoire and basic performances of easy piano pieces

 

Required Textbook:

Lancaster, E. L. and Kenon D. Renfrow.  Alfred’s Piano 101: An Exciting Group Course for Adults Who Want to Play Piano for Fun!  Alfred Publishing Co., Inc.: Van Nuys, CA. 1999.

 

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

Week One: August 23, 25, 27

Introduction, Syllabus, Unit One, Unit Two

 

Week Two: August 30, September 1, 3

Unit Three and into Unit Four

 

September  6  NO CLASS

Labor Day

 

 

Week Three: September 8, 10

Complete Unite Four

Dr. Jones’ Recital

September 13th, Monday

TEST ONE

 

September 15th, Wednesday

Unit Five

 

September 17th, Friday

Guest Lecturer

Robert Moody

Week Five: September 20, 22, 24

Unit Five and Unit Six

Go see Piazzolla da Camera

Week Six: September 27, 29, Oct. 1

Unit Six (cont.) and Unit Seven

Bowles/Jones Recital

October 6th, Wednesday

TEST TWO

 

October 8th, Friday

Unit Eight

 

Week Eight:  October 11, 13, 15

Unit Eight and into Unit Nine

 

Week Nine:  October 25, 27

Unit Nine (cont.) and Unit Ten

 

November 5th, Friday

Guest Lecturer

Arie Lipsky

Week Ten:  October 25, 27

Unit Ten (cont.)

 

October 29th, Friday

TEST THREE

 

Week Eleven:  November 1, 3

Unit Twelve

 

November 5th, Friday

Guest Lecturer

TBA

Week Twelve:  November 8, 10, 12

Unit Twelve (cont.) and Thirteen

 

Week Thirteen:  November 15

Unit Thirteen (cont.)

 

November 17th, Wednesday

TEST FOUR

 

November 19th, Friday

Guest Lecturer

Scott Speck

Week Fourteen: November 22, 24

Unit Fourteen

 

November 26th: NO CLASS

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

 

Week Fifteen:  November 29, December 1

Unit Fifteen

 

 

Dec. 6-10 FINALS

FINAL TBA