Class Piano IV

Curriculum Guideline

Effective Date:
Course
Discontinued
Yes
Course Code
MUSC 2461
Descriptive
Class Piano IV
Department
Music
Faculty
Language, Literature & Performing Arts
Credits
1.00
Start Date
End Term
202010
PLAR
Yes
Semester Length
15 weeks
Max Class Size
16
Contact Hours
Classroom related: 1.5 hours per week for 14 weeks Simulation environment: 1.5 hours per week for 14 weeks
Method(s) Of Instruction
Lecture
Tutorial
Learning Activities

Instruction will be by lecture, demonstration and supervised practice.

Course Description
Students will develop their keyboard skills further through the introduction of technical material and pieces up to the level of RCM Grade VI or equivalent. Also included are some score reading, improvisation, transposition, chord progressions using more advanced harmonic elements, harmonization of more complex melodies, sight reading and repertoire.
Course Content
  1. Scales: major and minor; two octaves, hands together. Contrary motion: major scales; two octaves.
  2. Triads and Inversions: major and minor; two octaves, solid and broken, hands together.
  3. Dominant Sevenths and Inversions: one octave, solid and broken, hands together.
  4. Diminished Sevenths and Inversions: one octave, solid and broken, hands together.
  5. Arpeggios: major and minor: root position, two octaves, hands together.
  6. Chord Progressions: Circle of Sevenths; Scale Harmonizations.
  7. Sight Reading: more complex random chords in treble, alto, tenor or bass clefs; block chords from four-part score, score reading up to four staves; hands together pieces with unlimited range.
  8. Transposition: simple pieces in any key, hands together.
  9. Harmonization: melodies, unlimited range incorporating appropriate accompaniment styles.
  10. Repertoire: easy pieces from the standard repertoire: Bach, Mozart, Schumann etc., unlimited range.
Learning Outcomes

At the end of the course, the successful student should be able to demonstrate the fundamentals of keyboard sight reading, accompaniment, transposition, improvisation, keyboard harmony, technique and piano repertoire.

Means of Assessment

The grade will be calculated on the basis of progress made in the various aspects of the course.

  • 60% of the mark will be based upon regular evaluation (minimum 1 per week).
  • 15% of the mark will be allotted for a mid-term examination.
  • 25% of the mark will be allotted for a final in-class examination.

Attendance

As this is a skill-oriented course, regular attendance is required in order to develop fluent keyboard skills. Therefore, 100% attendance is desired. The failure to attend regularly will result in reduction of a final grade as shown below:

  • 4 unexcused absences: minus 10%
  • 8 unexcused absences: minus 20%
  • over 12 unexcused absences: minus 30%
Textbook Materials

A list of recommended textbooks and materials is provided on the Instructor’s course Outline, which is available to students at the beginning of each semester.

Example:

  • Frackenphol, Arthur. Harmonization at the Piano 7th Edition, Wm. C. Brown Publishers, 1991.

Prerequisites
Corequisites