Piano Pedagogy
MUSE 4934
Monday, Wednesday, Friday
Instructor: Dr. Dena Kay Jones
Office: 436 Fox Fine Arts, Music
Email: dkjones@utep.edu
Ph# (915) 747 – 6625
Office Hours: I am available to schedule conference times with any student via email or phone call.
Course Description
Study of effective teaching skills for all levels of piano instruction, including the investigation of specific solo and developmental piano repertoire, with additional evaluation in piano pedagogical content and methodology, philosophies of music, and assessment of historical achievements made by previous pedagogues in the field of piano education.
Goals
The goals of the course are to prepare students to:
Objectives
At the completion of the course, the student will be able to:
1. Teach select pieces from the standard piano repertoire to various levels of students through a variety of modes based on piano technique, theory, history, educational ideals and personal teaching styles.
2. Be familiar with many of the method books available for teaching.
3. Organize weekly lesson plans, a monthly payment system, and semester recitals for any number of students.
4. Construct an outreach program and plan of attack as how to get students.
5. Set short-term and long-term teaching goals.
6. Know how to continue learning in the area of piano pedagogy.
7. Write a teaching philosophy and studio guidelines.
Texts (required)
The following text book will be supplemented with other
materials. You’ll need to order the book
online. If you wish to have the book
ordered for you, please contact the instructor.
Uzler, Marienne, Stewart Gordon and Scott McBride Smith. The
Well-Tempered Keyboard Teacher.
Second Ed. (
ISBN#: 0-02-864788-2.
Observance Opportunities
We are fortunate to have many venues in which to observe different piano studio and classroom teaching situations. A schedule will be provided for both on and off campus observation sites. Attendance is required and transportation will be arranged.
Lab Requirements
Although this class will provide you with many tools to develop your skills as a piano pedagogue, there is no replacement for practical study—getting in the studio and teaching (in conjunction with formal study with the type of information this Piano Pedagogy course offers). You will be assigned a college-level student with whom to work, every other week. Lab Homework will include lessons plans, written assessment of the lesson, and ideas of future goals for the next session.
Expectations and Grading
Grades are based on
“A”: Consistent work and continued progress throughout the semester
“B”: As above, but reflecting less than consistent work throughout the semester, poor preparation that has the potential for improvement
“C”: Inconsistent work, poor attendance or punctuality, and/or lack of participation.
“D”: Inability to produce any positive results regarding participation or homework assignments.
See point system
outlined below
“F”: Failure to attend class
and observations, or failure to show any work or preparation.
Grades will be earned through the completion of the following activities and assignments with the grade weighting designated:
Assignment Grade Weighting
Attendance .50
(After two excused absences, each sub sequential absence lowers your grade 2%
points) see attendance section below
Midterm Exam .05
End of the Semester Final .05
Lab Homework .21 (7 assignment, 30 points each)
Teaching Philosophy Assignment .05
Observation Notes Assignment .04 (4 trips, each report is 10 points each)
Term Paper .10
Grade Scale
A=100-90 B=89-80 C=79-70 D=69-60 F=59-0
Grade
Computation Example
Assignment Grade Weight Component
Attendance 93 x .50 = 46.5
Midterm Exam 82 x .05 = 4.1
Final Exam 88 x .05 = 4.4
Lab #1 86 x .03 = 2.58
Lab #2 88 x .03 = 2.64
Lab #3 90 x .03 = 2.7
Lab #4 91 x .03 = 2.73
Lab #5 93 x .03 = 2.79
Lab #6 94 x .03 = 2.82
Lab #7 96 x .03 =
Teaching Philosophy
Assignment 90 x .05 = 4.5
Observation Notes 85 x .04 = 3.4
Term Paper 97 x .10 = 9.7
Total of weighted grades = 88.86 B+
Computers All essays written outside of class must be done on a word-processor. Please see the instructor if you have any questions.
Attendance Policy
Class will be held in Music 402,
If you are ill, please notify me as early as possible by leaving a message at my email address, my office number, or at the Music Department Center Office (747-5606).
If I am ill, I will have the office post a sign on the classroom door in addition to contacting you as soon as possible.
Because of the nature of this piano pedagogy class, frequent attendance is a must for the successful student. Most aspects of the final grade result from in-class activity and improvement throughout the semester. Therefore, students cannot get a good grade if they are not in class and contributing to class and group discussions. Nor can those students who miss out on class and group discussions or lectures expect to successfully complete assignments or exams. Therefore, the student who is flourishing in Piano Pedagogy Studies is the student who attends regularly.
When a student has compiled a total of four instances of unsatisfactory attendance, he/she will be dropped with a “W” from the course prior to the drop deadline or fail the course after the drop deadline.
This drop deadline date is: March 7th
The only excused absences will be absences from university-sanctioned events (athletic events, concerts, etc.), emergency illness, a religious-affiliated absence, jury guty, or a funeral for a member of your family. Documentary proof of all five of these circumstances must be provided before or immediately after the fact. If you know that you will be absent from class, it is your responsibility to hand in assignments before your absence. The instructor will not accept late homework.
Students are expected to be in the classroom during the entire class period. Excessive tardiness (coming in 10 minutes after the beginning of class) or leaving the classroom early—unless approved ahead of time with the instructor—will result in an absence.
Students not meeting the above attendance requirements will be dropped from the course. Students dropped before the Course Drop Deadline will be dropped with a “W”; after the deadline, students will be dropped with an “F”. Remember that your instructor cannot drop you after the Course Drop Deadline date, March 7th.
Your instructor may choose to make an exception to the above policies if she deems the circumstances warrant it.
Tentative Schedule for Piano Pedagogy Class
Modification Possible After First Class
Pedagogy
Class
Special Event!! Attendance is REQUIRED
The Piano Collection of Claude Herndon: Preserving
Fox Fine Arts Recital Hall,
And Division Levels
Students and Teacher Assignments given
Section One
Read pgs. vii—34.
No
class on January 31st or February 3rd. Dr. Jones will be out of town for a recital. However, there
is a reading assignment: pgs. 35-54.
Read pgs. 79-110.
Section Two
First Lab Report Due Today
(Class
may be cancelled on February 14th due to a conference. TBA.)
Observation Notes #1 Due Today
Section Three
Read pgs. 143-163.
Section Four
Second Lab Report Due Today
March 7th Midterm
Exam
Third Lab Report Due Today
No classes offered on March 12 or 14th. Dr. Jones will be out of town for a recital.
March 17-21 is Spring
Break!!
Teaching Philosophy Statement is Due Today
Observation Notes #2 Due Today
Fourth Lab Report Due Today
Read pgs. 265-272.
Section Five
Read pgs. 273-279.
Read pgs. 279-286.
Read pgs. 297-306.
Read pgs. 197-222.
Read pgs. 307-316.
Fifth Lab Report Due Today
Read pgs. 317-338.
Observation Notes #3 Due Today
Read pgs. 339-354.
Special Event!! Attendance is REQUIRED
Guest
Artist, Dr. Nohema Fernández, Solo Piano Recital
Fox Fine Arts Recital Hall,
Guest Artist, Dr. Nohema Fernández, Master Class
Fox Fine Arts Recital Hall,
Read pgs. 355-372.
Sixth Lab Report Due Today
Observation Notes #4 Due Today
Seventh Lab Report Due Today
Final to be announced. Term paper is to be handed in at the final.
Date:
Time:
Place: