Beginning Piano

Course Details

Course Number: MUSC 1111 Section Number: 101

Fall 2012

Location: Instrumental Music Hall

Classroom Number: Piano Lab

Days & Times:

MW 12:00 pm - 12:50 pm

Course Attachments

Textbooks

MSU Faculty Member

Dr. Susan Harvey
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Course Objectives

Course Description

Music majors/minors with no piano performance background learn fundamental piano performance skills. Students develop personal musicianship and keyboard 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 major scales two octaves and arpeggios three 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 perform simple pieces hands together
To implement basic music theory into piano performance

Course Expectations

Required Textbook

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

The Rhythm Bible (without CD) by Dan Fox

Grading Standards

Course Evaluation

20% Class Participation (Credit is earned by participating in all activities, written activities, and preparing homework)

60% Assigned Competencies including the Rhythm Bible

10% Midterm Exam (Performance)

10% Final Exam (Perform to pass Piano Proficiencies)

The instructor reserves the right to cancel or adjust assignments as the course progresses. Students will be informed how this may effect grading.

Grading Scale

90-100 A

80-89 B

70-89 C

60-69 D

59-Below F

Submission Format PolicyNote: 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

Attendance

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 ten 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

Student Expectations/Conduct

Students are required to participate in all class activities and practice daily to develop and acquire piano skills. Students are to conduct themselves in a professional manner so that all students may learn without distraction and disruption. This includes cell phones turned off and no texting.

Special Needs

Students who need course adaptations or accommodations because of a disability, who have emergency medical information that needs sharing, or who 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 a students’ academic progress or other matters with his/her 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. Plagiarism is (1) the use of source material of other persons (either published or unpublished, including the Internet) without following the accepted techniques of giving credit or (2) the submission for credit of work not the individual’s to whom credit is given. If a student in the class plagiarizes material, appropriate disciplinary action will be taken. The Student Honor Creed developed and adopted by the MSU Student Government reinforces the discouragement of plagiarism and other unethical behaviors. The first statement of the creed reads, “As an MSU student, I pledge not to lie, cheat, steal, or help anyone else do so.” Plagiarism is lying, cheating, and stealing.

Social Justice

Social justice is one of Midwestern State University’s stated core values, and the professor considers the classroom a place where students are treated with respect as human beings, regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, political beliefs, age, or ability. Moreover, diversity of thought is appreciated and encouraged, provided the students can agree to disagree. The professor’s expectation is that ALL students consider the classroom a safe environment.

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.