Piano Class I Syllabus for 2016-2017
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Instructor Information

Instructor

Diego Caetano (Curriculum Vitae)

E-Mail

diegocaetano@actx.edu

Phone

Office Location

303

Office Hours

Course Information

Recording Policy

Disability Statement

If you have a disability (learning, mental, physical) that affects your ability to participate effectively and have access to any program or service at Amarillo College please contact Disability Services at (806) 345-5639 . Our offices are located in the Student Service Center office 112. More information may be found at www.actx.edu/disability.
Disability Services facilitates access to all programs and services according to the ADA, Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, as well as other federal and state laws.

Amarillo College Web Accessibility Policy Statement

Amarillo College is committed to providing equal access to all programs and services, including all working, learning, and service environments that affect equal access for persons with disabilities. This commitment to provide equal access and opportunity for persons with disabilities is in compliance with federal and state law. Amarillo College also strives to provide Electronic and Information Resources (EIR) that are accessible to all authorized users.

If you find you are unable to access material in an accessible format please contact the Disability Services Office at (806) 345-5639 . This office will work in conjunction with other campus resources to address and accommodate your issue in a timely manner.

Statement for Mental Health and Advocacy & Resource Center:

As a student you may experience a range of issues that can cause barriers to learning, such as strained relationships, increased anxiety, alcohol/drug problems, feeling down, difficulty concentrating and/or lack of motivation. These mental health concerns or stressful events may lead to diminished academic performance or reduce a student's ability to participate in daily activities. Amarillo College offers services to assist you with addressing these and other concerns you may be experiencing. If you or someone you know are suffering from any of the aforementioned conditions, you can learn more about the broad range of confidential mental health services available on campus by calling the AC Counseling Center at 806-371-5900. The AC Counseling Center website is https://www.actx.edu/counseling/ . Also, if you are in need of social services (affordable housing, utilities, transportation, food, clothing, childcare, medical/dental/vision, legal), please call the AC Advocacy & Resource Center at 806-371-5439. The AC Advocacy & Resource Center website is https://www.actx.edu/arc

Amarillo College Tutoring for Success Policy:

Administrative Drop Policy

Students who do not attend class on or prior to the census date will be administratively dropped. Effective Fall, 2016

Student Withdrawal Procedures

Students who wish to withdraw from a class must:

consult with their instructor to obtain a signed academic withdrawal request form to submit to the AskAC department for processing
consult with the financial aid office if receiving financial aid
consult with the Veterans Benefit Coordinator if receiving veteran benefits
consult with their academic advisor to determine how withdrawing may affect their enrollment in future semesters
- NOTE: The Texas Education Code stipulates that students attending Texas institutions of higher education for the first time fall 2007 and later may not withdraw from more than six courses during their academic career, including courses from which transfer students have withdrawn at other Texas institutions of higher education. (Senate Bill 1231) Rule 4.10.

Privacy Statement

The Amarillo College Privacy Policy is found at https://www.actx.edu/-amarillo-college-privacy-notice , and applies to all Amarillo College students. If you have questions about this privacy statement or you believe that your personal information has been released without your consent, send email to humanresources@actx.edu .

Course

MUSI-1181-002 Piano Class I

Prerequisites

Course Description

For students with a limited keyboard background. Includes scales, chord progressions, technical studies, sightreading drill, short selections from solo literature.

Student Resources Student Resources Website

Department Expectations

The National Association of Schools of Music (NASM) and the Performing Arts Medicine Association (PAMA) have developed a comprehensive overview of neuromusculoskeletal, vocal and hearing health issues for postsecondary schools and departments of music. Information of a medical nature is provided by PAMA; information regarding contextual issues in music programs, by NASM. The following links address the risk of noise-induced hearing loss, neuromusculoskeletal and vocal injury—all of which are widespread and serious public health issues for musicians and others.

NASM-PAMA Advisories on Neuromusculoskeletal and Vocal Health

Student guide: https://nasm.arts-accredit.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2016/02/4a_NASM_PAMA_NMH-Student_Guide-Standard_June-2014.pdf

NASM-PAMA Advisories on Hearing Health :

Student guide: https://nasm.arts-accredit.org/publications/brochures-advisories/nasm-pama-nms-vocal-health/

Student information sheets:

Occupational License Disclaimer

Hours

(1 sem hr; 3 studio)

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Alfred's Group Piano for Adults, Book 1, 2^nd edition, by Lancaster/Renfrow

Supplies

3 ring binder, for handouts

pencil

textbooks

Student Performance

1. Recognize and play any note on the grand staff.

2. Identify and understand the notation of rhythm: whole notes, half notes, quarter notes, eighth notes, and their dotted values.

3. Identify time signatures.

4. Play exercises that utilize intervals up to an octave.

5. Play major, minor, augmented and diminished chords beginning on any key.

6. Play triads in root position, first inversion and second inversion.

7. Play I-IV-I-V7-I progressions in all major keys.

8. Perform solo repertoire that uses scale patterns and chords.

9. Sight-read and transpose music with tonic, dominant & subdominant chords.

10. Harmonize/transpose melodies with tonic, dominant & subdominant chords.

11. Create two-hand accompaniments from chord symbols.

12. Improvise melodies over tonic, dominant and subdominant chords.

Students Rights and Responsibilities

Student Rights and Responsibilities

Log in using the AC Connect Portal

In order to receive your AC Connect Email, you must log in through AC Connect at https://acconnect.actx.edu .

If you are an active staff or faculty member according to Human Resources, use "Exchange". All other students, use "AC Connect (Google) Email".

Expected Student Behavior

To progress effectively and efficiently, you are expected to practice outside of class a minimum of 30 minutes to 45 minutes daily.

Regular daily practice throughout the semester, as opposed to last minute, “emergency” practice, is strongly emphasized.

Practice checklist:

• Schedule a regular daily piano practice time in your weekly schedule NOW!

• If you choose not to practice in the music building, look for a quiet and comfortable place where you can be ALONE and undisturbed during your practice time

• Don’t strain yourself. Check that you are relaxed and supple while you play. Stretch before and after practice

• Take a short break every half hour and stretch

• 20 minutes of focused practice are more productive than 2 hours of unfocused practice

• Have a pencil, your class notes and assignments with you when you practice

• Plan your practice before sitting down at the piano. Some pieces may need more attention than others.

• Conscious and purposeful repetition is the key to improvement

• Contact your instructor if you have questions or to get an assignment

• Contact your instructor if practicing hurts!

Grading Criteria

Based upon homework, and on performance on four playing exams given on material covered in Units 1 through 13 in the textbook, plus a written exam at the end of the semester. Homework will be worth a total of 200 points. Each of the five exams will be worth 100 points. Therefore, there will be a total of 700 points possible. Final grade will be based on the following scale:

A = 90-100%

B = 80-89%

C = 70-79%

D = 60-69%

F = Below 60%

The following criteria will be used to determine your grade:

HOMEWORK:

10 assignments, worth 20 points each, will be given throughout the semester, for a total of 200 possible points.

REQUIRED EXAMINATIONS:

Four playing exams on material from Chapters 1-13, given at end of Units 2, 4, 9, and 13.

FINAL EXAMINATIONS:

1) 1) The fourth playing exam, given at the end of Unit 13, will be considered the final playing exam, and it is a proficiency. That means that a no-show for this exam is an automatic F for the class.

Attendance

Regular attendance is required and necessary to meet the proficiency requirements of this course. Attendance will be taken at the beginning of class.

In order to receive attendance points, students must be in their seats, computers ready and textbook available.

Unexcused Absences will affect the final grade as follows:

3 absences – final grade lowered by one letter grade

4 absences – final grade lowered by two letter grades

5 or more absences– F and/or Instructor reserves the right to withdraw the student from the course.

Please notify the instructor if you need to miss the class. The instructor will determine if the absence is excused or unexcused.

Exams missed because of unexcused absences are not made up. Arrangements to take exams missed due to approved college functions (e.g. ensemble tours) should be made in advance. Exams missed due to illness will be made up only at the instructor’s discretion.

Calendar

Four playing exams on material from Chapters 1-13, given at end of Units 2, 4, 9, and 13.

1) The fourth playing exam, given at the end of Unit 13, will be considered the final playing exam.

2) A written final exam will be given, covering terms from Chapters 1-13.

DETAILED COURSE SYLLABUS AND PROJECTED SCHEDULE: (subject to change)

MUSIC 1181: PIANO CLASS I, FALL SEMESTER Revised 8/4/16

TEXTBOOKS: *ALFRED’S GROUP PIANO FOR ADULTS, BOOK 1, by E. L. Lancaster and Kenon D. Renfrow , 2^nd Edition

Mon, Aug. 22 Introduction to lab.

Attendance and grading policies

On-line access to course materials

BE ON TIME!!!

ASSIGNMENT: EACH ASSIGNMENT GIVEN IS FOR THE FOLLOWING CLASS PERIOD. FOR INSTANCE, THIS ASSIGNMENT IS FOR WEDNESDAY’S CLASS:

1. Purchase textbooks, loose leaf notebook, pencils.

2. Study p. 8-10 in text

Wed, Aug. 24 ASSIGNMENT: Review pp. 8-10

Study pp. 11-26

In Class: Complete Worksheet #1

Mon, Aug 29 ASSIGNMENT: Practice and review the entire unit, especially pp.23-26.

In Class:

pp. 29-32 Study these pages

p. 30 Fill in the blanks

Wed, August 31 ASSIGNMENT: Complete Worksheet #2

p. 32 Study about key signatures

p. 33 Practice Miniature Waltz

p. 38 Practice Technique exercise No. 1

p. 35 Practice the rhythm reading

Complete Worksheet #3: Key signatures

Unit 1 should be well learned for Wednesday. Students must be able to recognize and name all the notes on the grand staff, and be able to find them on the keyboard. Students should also be practicing pp. 33-38 in Unit 2, in preparation for the first quiz on September 12 & 14.

Complete Worksheet #4 (Unit 1 Review)

Mon, Sept. 5 LABOR DAY (NO CLASS)

Wed, Sept 7 ASSIGNMENT: Worksheet #5 (Unit 2 Review Worksheet)

PREPARE FOR QUIZ NO. 1

1. p. 38 Technique exercise No. 1 20 points

2. p. 33 Miniature Waltz 30 points

4. P. 36-37 Be able to play any reading example 15 points

5. P. 38 Play one harmonization (your choice) 15 points

6. Written part 10 points

7. Sight- reading 20 points

Mon, Sept 12 QUIZ NO. 1

Wed, Sept 14 QUIZ NO. 1, continued

ASSIGNMENT: p. 42-45 Practice all exercises

p. 46 Dance

p. 47 Bright Lights Boogie

p. 50-51 Try reading Nos. 1-4

BRING TODAY’S COMPLETED WORKSHEET #6

TO EVERY CLASS FROM NOW ON!!!!

Mon, Sept 19 ASSIGNMENT: practice 5 finger patterns from worksheet, hands together

p. 52-53 Practice each piece hands alone

p. 55 Practice each hand alone

Wed, Sept 21 ASSIGNMENT: p. 60 Playing Major Five-Finger Patterns and Broken

Chords, in all keys

p. 61 Technique, in all keys

p. 62-63 Read each of these

Complete Worksheet #7, Key Signatures (handout)

Mon, Sept 26 ASSIGNMENT: p. 60 Playing Major Five-Finger Patterns and Broken

Chords, in all keys

p. 61 Technique, in all keys

p. 64 Little Scherzo

p. 72 (Study about Minor Five-Finger patterns & fill in the keyboards)

p. 73 Practice the Major & Minor 5 finger patterns on white key starts

p. 74 fill in the keyboards starting on black keys, and practice the Major & Minor 5 finger patterns on black key starts

p. 75 Study about Minor Chords, and practice the Minor 5 finger patterns and chords exercise

Worksheet #9: Complete the Minor 5 Finger worksheet

Wed, Sept. 28 PREPARE FOR QUIZ NO. 2

1. p. 60 Playing Major and minor Five-Finger Patterns and

Broken Chords, in all keys 20 points

2. P. 61 Technique exercise in all keys 20 points

3. P. 64 Little Scherzo 20 points

4. p. 68 Harmonization with 2 hand accompaniment 20 points

5. Sight-reading 20 points

Mon, Oct 3 PRACTICE DAY

Wed, Oct 5: PREPARE FOR QUIZ NO. 2

Mon, Oct 10 Quiz No.2

Wed, Oct 12 Quiz No.2

Mon, Oct 17 Fall Break

Wed, Oct 19 Fall Break

Wed, Oct 24 ASSIGNMENT: p. 73 Major/minor five finger patterns, all keys, up

Chromatically, ending with minor, then major chord

p. 98 Playing Major, Augmented, Minor, and diminished

chords, in every key, going down chromatically.

p. 104 Technique #1

p. 88-89 Toccatina

p. 114 Technique No. 1, No. 7

Pedal exercises, from handout

Wed, Oct 26 PRACTICE DAY

PREPARE FOR QUIZ NO. 3,

1. P. 73 Major/minor five finger patterns 20 points

2. p. 98 Playing Major, Augmented, Minor, and diminished chords,

in every key, going down chromatically 10 points

3. P. 88-89 Toccatina 20 points

4. p. 116-117 Dream Echoes 20 points

5. P. 124 Scales and arpeggios in C & G 15 points

6. P. 130-131 Harmonization. Your choice of one piece 15 points

Mon, Oct. 31 ASSIGNMENT:

PREPARE FOR QUIZ NO. 3

Wed, Nov.2 PRACTICE DAY FOR QUIZ NO. 3

Mon, Nov 7 QUIZ NO. 3 (you must complete at least 3 items today)

Wed, Nov. 9 QUIZ NO. 3 (you must complete the rest of the exam today)

Mon, Nov 14 ASSIGNMENT: p. 125-126 Scales of D, A, E

P. 136-137 Study about triads and inversions

P. 138-139 Playing triads and inversions

P. 140 Technique exercises

Wed, Nov 16 ASSIGNMENT: P. 138-139 Playing triads and inversions

P. 140 Technique

P. 144 Etude

P. 145 Harmonize No. 1

p. 150 Playing the I-V 6/5-I chord progression in C, F, G

P. 129 German Dance, by Beethoven

P. 144 Etude, by Gurlitt

P. 160 Minuet in F Major, by Mozart

P. 172-173 Moonlit Shores, by Randall Hartsell

Mon, Nov 21

ASSIGNMENT: p. 73 Review major/minor pentachords (as for Quiz #3)

P. 125-126 scales/arpeggios of D,A,E

P. 150 Playing the I-V 6/5-I chord progression in C,F, G, with pedal

P. 154 Harmonize No. 1

Choose and practice final exam piece

Study Review for written exam on Monday, Nov. 28

Wed, Nov 23

PREPARE FOR WRITTEN EXAM ON MONDAY, NOV. 28, AND FINAL EXAM

1. P. 73 Major/minor pentachords, all keys 15 points

2. P. 125-126 Major scales/arpeggios in C,G,D,A,E 15 points

3. P. 170 Chord progression with pedal, as written 15 points

4. Harmonize your choice: p. 178 #2, p. 179 #3,

p. 165 #3, or p. 166 #6 15 points

5. Reading 10 points

6. Solo piece: pp. 144, 151, 160, or 172-173 15 points

7. Sight Reading 15 points

Mon, Nov. 28 WRITTEN EXAM!!! BE ON TIME!!!

ASSIGNMENT: PREPARE FOR FINAL EXAM

Wed, Nov. 30 Mini-private Lessons