Mar 29, 2024  
2019 - 2020 Cowley College Academic Catalog 
    
2019 - 2020 Cowley College Academic Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

MUS2681 PIANO FOR PLEASURE COURSE PROCEDURE


MUS2681 PIANO FOR PLEASURE

1 Credit Hour

Student Level:

This course is open to students on the college level in either the freshman or sophomore year.

Catalog Description:

MUS2681 - Piano for Pleasure (1hr)

Designed as the study of elemental techniques in pianoforte performance to attain skills and understanding for personal musical development for leisure and self-satisfaction.  No previous study is required.

Course Classification:

Studio

Prerequisites:

None

Controlling Purpose:

This course is intended to provide a method of guiding the adult beginner in learning the skills of playing the piano for pleasure. The stimulus of groups learning will provide an incentive for accomplishments. The course will emphasize functional skills and basic keyboard techniques.

Learner Outcomes:

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to demonstrate basic skills necessary to function and perform at the keyboard for leisure.

Unit Outcomes for Criterion Based Evaluation:

The following defines the minimum core content not including the final examination period. Instructors may add other content as time allows.

UNIT 1:  Basic Keyboard Skills

Outcomes:  Student will demonstrate by performance, knowledge of reading simple musical notation.

  • Utilize finger numbers and identifying keys on the keyboard
  • Read rhythms including whole, dotted half, half, quarter and eighth note values.
  • Play black key melodies using the finger numbers.
  • Reading middle C, treble clef G and bass clef F.
  • Understand reading concepts of step (2nds) and skips (3rds).
  • Improvise black key melodies with a given accompaniment.

UNIT 2:  The Grand Staff Music Notation

Outcomes:  Student will demonstrate by performance, knowledge of the grand staff.

  • Playing with two hands in one clef and in both clefs (grand staff).
  • Identify notes on the grand staff and play correct keys on the piano.
  • Read intervals up to an octave.
  • Play simple melodies within the five finger pattern.
  • Play simple melodies hands together in parallel motion.

UNIT 3:  Rhythms and Time Signatures

Outcomes:  Student will demonstrate by performance, knowledge of rhythmic notation and time signatures.

  • Play whole, half, quarter, eighth and dotted note values.
  • Play in simple and compound time signatures.
  • Recognize music notation of rests by performing them correctly.
  • Tap rhythmic exercises hands together.

UNIT 4:  Major and Minor Scales

Outcomes:  Student will demonstrate by performance, knowledge of the major and minor scale patterns.

  • Find whole and half steps on the piano. Understand sharps, flats and naturals.
  • Play pentascales and triads beginning on any key using legato touch.
  • Play cross-hand arpeggios for major & minor keys, white keys only.
  • Perform solo repertoire that utilizes five-finger patterns and transpose.
  • Improvise melodies in major & minor five-finger patterns as the teacher plays an accompaniment.
  • Play hands together a melody in parallel motion.
  • Play one major octave scales, white keys only, hands separately.

UNIT 5:  Piano Techniques

Outcomes:  Student will demonstrate by performance, knowledge of playing staccato, two note slurs and using the pedals.

  • Play staccato and legato as indicated on music.
  • Use correct wrist movement to execute two-note slurs.
  • Use the sostenuto pedal correctly by having clean pedal changes.
  • Recognize different notation symbols for pedal indications.
  • Use all three pedals correctly.

UNIT 6:  Ensemble Skills/Keyboard Musicianship

Outcomes:  Student will demonstrate by performance, knowledge of ensemble playing and styles.

  • Play simple pieces in an ensemble.
  • Improvise a melody based on a major or minor pentascales.
  • Play a melody (up to an octave) at sight.
  • Harmonize a melody with the chord symbols given.
  • Practice independently by learning a piece on student’s own.
  • Explain the differences between acoustic and digital pianos. Demonstrate basic knowledge of the care and maintenance of pianos.

Projects Required:

All major and minor pentascales and chords.
Memorization and performance of two solo piano pieces.
Others as assigned.

Textbook:

Contact Bookstore for current textbook.

Materials/Equipment Required:

Attendance Policy:

Students should adhere to the attendance policy outlined by the instructor in the course syllabus.

Grading Policy:

The grading policy will be outlined by the instructor in the course syllabus.

Maximum class size:

Based on classroom occupancy

Course Timeframe:

The U.S. Department of Education, Higher Learning Commission and the Kansas Board of Regents define credit hour and have specific regulations that the college must follow when developing, teaching and assessing the educational aspects of the college. A credit hour is an amount of work represented in intended learning outcomes and verified by evidence of student achievement that is an institutionally-established equivalency that reasonably approximates not less than one hour of classroom or direct faculty instruction and a minimum of two hours of out-of-class student work for approximately fifteen weeks for one semester hour of credit or an equivalent amount of work over a different amount of time. The number of semester hours of credit allowed for each distance education or blended hybrid courses shall be assigned by the college based on the amount of time needed to achieve the same course outcomes in a purely face-to-face format.

Refer to the following policies:

402.00 Academic Code of Conduct

263.00 Student Appeal of Course Grades

403.00 Student Code of Conduct

Disability Services Program: 

Cowley College, in recognition of state and federal laws, will accommodate a student with a documented disability.  If a student has a disability which may impact work in this class which requires accommodations, contact the Disability Services Coordinator.