Beginning Piano

Course Details

Course Number: MUSC 1111 Section Number: 101

Fall 2010

Location: Instrumental Music Hall

Classroom Number: 105

Days & Times:

TR 11:00 am - 11:50 am

Course Attachments

Syllabus Piano-1111-Fall 10-20120319-134734.doc

Textbooks

MSU Faculty Member

Dr. Susan Harvey
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Course Objectives

Course Description

Music majors/minorswith no piano performance background learn fundamental piano performance skills. Students develop personal musicianship and skills necessary to pass the keyboard proficiency requirements.

Course Students Objectives

To learn keyboard technique including posture, hand position, and finger patterns
To sight-read simple music using both hands (i.e. folk song)
To develop musicianship skills including ear training and rhythmic reading
To play group I and group II major scales and arpeggios two octaves with correct fingerings
To harmonize and improvise accompaniment to simple songs (I, IV, V chords)
To learn chord progressions (I-V, and I-IV-V7-I)
To transpose simple melodies and songs
To implement basic music theory into piano performance

Course Expectations

Alfred’s Group Piano for Adults Book 1 second edition by E.L. Lancaster and Kenon D. Renfrow

Additional material may be supplemented by the instructor.

Submission Format Policy

Grading Scale

90-100 A

80-89 B

70-89 C

60-69 D

59-Below F

Note: You may not submit a paper for a grade in this class that already has been (or will be) submitted for a grade in another course, unless you obtain the explicit written permission of me and the other instructor involved in advance.

Plagiarism Policy Plagiarism is the use of someone else's thoughts, words, ideas, or lines of argument in your own work without appropriate documentation (a parenthetical citation at the end and a listing in "Works Cited")-whether you use that material in a quote, paraphrase, or summary. It is a theft of intellectual property and will not be tolerated, whether intentional or not.

Student Honor Creed

As an MSU Student, I pledge not to lie, cheat, steal, or help anyone else do so."

As students at MSU, we recognize that any great society must be composed of empowered, responsible citizens. We also recognize universities play an important role in helping mold these responsible citizens. We believe students themselves play an important part in developing responsible citizenship by maintaining a community where integrity and honorable character are the norm, not the exception. Thus, We, the Students of Midwestern State University, resolve to uphold the honor of the University by affirming our commitment to complete academic honesty. We resolve not only to be honest but also to hold our peers accountable for complete honesty in all university matters. We consider it dishonest to ask for, give, or receive help in examinations or quizzes, to use any unauthorized material in examinations, or to present, as one's own, work or ideas which are not entirely one's own. We recognize that any instructor has the right to expect that all student work is honest, original work. We accept and acknowledge that responsibility for lying, cheating, stealing, plagiarism, and other forms of academic dishonesty fundamentally rests within each individual student. We expect of ourselves academic integrity, personal professionalism, and ethical character. We appreciate steps taken by University officials to protect the honor of the University against any who would disgrace the MSU student body by violating the spirit of this creed. Written and adopted by the 2002-2003 MSU Student Senate.

Students with Disabilities The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Disability Support Services in Room 168 of the Clark Student Center, 397-4140.

Safe Zones Statement The professor considers this classroom to be a place where you will be treated with respect as a human being - regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, political beliefs, age, or ability. Additionally, diversity of thought is appreciated and encouraged, provided you can agree to disagree. It is the professor's expectation that ALL students consider the classroom a safe environment.

Contacting your Instructor All instructors in the Department have voicemail in their offices and MWSU e-mail addresses. Make sure you add your instructor's phone number and e-mail address to both email and cell phone lists of contacts.

Attendance Requirements

Beginning piano is a performance class. Students participate daily in individual and group activities. Activities are cumulative in organization, building on previously learned concepts. Therefore, attendance is crucial to personal development. Students may miss class twice without a final grade reduction. Each absence above the two allotted absences reduces the final grade five points. Nonparticipation in class equals one absence for each occurrence. Class participation includes all classroom activities – singing, rhythmic reading, working on assigned material, and performing individually and as an ensemble.

Other Policies

Special Needs

If you need course adaptations or accommodations because of a disability, if you have emergency medical information that needs sharing, or if you need special accommodations in case the building must be evacuated, please make an appointment with the professor as soon as possible.

Privacy Statement

Federal privacy law prohibits the instructor from releasing information about students to certain parties outside of the university without the signed consent of the student. Thus, in almost all cases the professor will not discuss students’ academic progress or other matters with their parents. Please do not have them call. Regardless of these important legal considerations, the professors’ general policy is to communicate with the students, not their parents, even when a student has signed a consent form. College students are adults and are expected to behave accordingly.

Academic Dishonesty

Academic dishonesty including plagiarism and giving or receiving unauthorized assistance is prohibited. Please review the University Honor Code. Any offense is reported.

Writing Proficiency Requirement All students seeking a Bachelor's degree from Midwestern State University must satisfy a writing proficiency requirement once they've 1) passed English 1113 and English 1123 and 2) earned 60 hours. You may meet this requirement by passing either the Writing Proficiency Exam or English 2113. Please keep in mind that, once you've earned over 90 hours, you lose the opportunity to take the $25 exam and have no option but to enroll in the three-credit hour course. If you have any questions about the exam, visit the Writing Proficiency Office website at http://academics.mwsu.edu/wpr, or call 397-4131.