Piano Minor Syllabus for 2018-2019
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Instructor Information

Office Location

303

Office Hours

Course Information

COVID-19 Protocols

Recording Policy

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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

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Administrative Drop Policy

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Students who wish to withdraw from a course must complete all steps indicated on the Academic Withdrawal Request form by the course withdrawal deadline.

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Course

MUAP-1171-001 Piano Minor

Prerequisites

Prerequisite: Audition or instructor consent

Course Description

One 30-minute lesson per week, minimum three hours of outside practice per week required. For music majors, in their minor area of performance. Emphasis on development of technique, musicianship, and repertoire; performance opportunities in student recitals.

Student ResourcesStudent 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:

musculosketal: https://nasm.arts-accredit.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2016/02/5a_NASM_PAMA_NMH-Student_Information_Sheet-Standard-NMH_June-2014.pdf
vocal: https://nasm.arts-accredit.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2016/02/6a_NASM_PAMA_NMH-Student_Information_Sheet-Standard-Vocal_June-2014.pdf   
hearing: https://nasm.arts-accredit.org/publications/brochures-advisories/nasm-pama-nms-vocal-health/

Occupational License Disclaimer

Notice to Students enrolled in an educational program for preparation of issuance of certain occupational licenses:

Students enrolled in an educational program in preparation for obtaining certain occupational licenses are potentially ineligible for such license if the student has been convicted of an offense. For further information, please contact:

Melodie Graves
Justice Involved Advocate
Student Service Center 117
mgraves24@actx.edu
806-371-5995
Make appointment at https://melodiegraves.youcanbook.me

You can also contact the Legal Clinic, or the faculty member in charge of the educational program that you seek to enroll in. The further information you will receive will include notification to you of your right to request a criminal history evaluation letter from the licensing authority in order to clarify your particular situation.

Hours

(1 sem hr; 1/2 hr lesson, 3 hr practice)

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

ALFRED'S GROUP PIANO FOR ADULTS, BOOK 2, by E. L Lancaster & Kenon Renfrow

Supplies

Assignment notebook (spiral or 3 ring binder of any size)

Pencils

Textbook; other music as assigned by instructor.

Students MUST have regular access to a piano, with a working damper pedal.  Practice pianos are available during the week, but not on weekends or holidays.

Student Performance

After studying the material presented in this course of study, the student will be able to do the following as evaluated by the faculty in the department/program:

1. Perform major and minor scales and arpeggios in all keys, two octaves ascending and descending, in parallel motion.

2. Demonstrate understanding of all primary and secondary chords as well as the dominant of the dominant, within the major scales, by playing chord progressions in various keys.

3. Perform 2 pieces in varied styles from memory for the instructor, and an additional 2 pieces with music.

4. Harmonize a folk melody using primary and secondary chords.

5. Transpose a simple folk tune and accompaniment to several keys.

6. Play a two-handed chordal accompaniment to several melodies.

7. Demonstrate understanding of the five types of seventh chords.

8. Understand jazz symbology.

The student will show a continuous, steady improvement in the master of basic technical and musical skills at the piano. Problems of hand coordination, use of pedal, dexterity of the fingers, various touches, and other aspects relative to basic study of the piano will be addressed. By the end of the semester the student will be able to play various technical exercises appropriate to the level of study, and at least four pieces from the piano repertoire (two from memory) as a final examination.

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

Consistent, daily practice is essential for the improvement of piano skills.  Students should practice at least 6 days per week, for a minimum of 30 minutes per day, and a total of 3 to 5 hours weekly.  Students are expected to be "performance-ready" on all assigned material for each lesson.

Grading Criteria

Each weekly lesson will be graded, according to improvement and effort shown on weekly assignments. Students are expected to practice for 3 to 5 hours per week, divided evenly among the days of the week. Weekly grades will be based on the following criteria:

A Entire assignment learned and presented in a polished manner

B Assignment learned, with a few problems

C Assignment attempted, with many difficulties

D Poorly prepared lesson, with little outside practice demonstrated

F Very poorly prepared lesson, with no outside practice demonstrated; or absent from lesson without prior notification (one unexcused absence is allowed)

A final playing exam, consisting of 4 prepared pieces learned throughout the semester, along with any major or minor scale, arpeggio, and major chord progression in three positions, will be performed for the instructor during the last lesson of the semester, generally during the final week of the semester.  this performance will receive a grade based on the above scale.

The final grade for the course will be determined by averaging all weekly grades, which will be worth 75% of the total grade, and the final exam grade, worth 25% of the final grade.

The student must contact the instructor prior to the scheduled lesson time to set up a makeup lesson time, at the instructor's discretion.

Attendance

Regular attendance is necessary for satisfactory achievement. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the student to attend class. One unexcused absence will be allowed, without affecting final grade. The second unexcused absence will be recorded as an "F" in the gradebook. Three unexcused absences will result in an "F" for the final grade.

Calendar

Week 1:     Determine weekly private lesson time.  Meet to discuss syllabus, piano proficiency exam, semester goals.  Assign Unit 1 of textbook for following week’s lesson.

Week 2:     Unit 1 as assigned

Week 3:     Unit 2 as assigned

Week 4:     Unit 2, continued, as assigned

Week 5:     Unit 3 as assigned

Week 6:     Unit 4 as assigned

Week 7:     Unit 5 as assigned

Week 8:     Unit 6 as assigned.  At least two pieces, one memorized, must be learned by this week.

Week 9:     Unit 6, continued, as assigned.

Week 10:   Unit 7 as assigned.

Week 11:   Unit 7, continued, as assigned.

Week 12:   Unit 8 as assigned.

Week 13:   Unit 9 as assigned.

Week 14:   Unit 10 as assigned.  Select at random 2 major/minor scales/arpeggios/major chord progressions, one starting on a black key, and one starting on a white key.

Week 15:   Perform 4 pieces for instructor, of which at least 2 must be from memory.  Also, perform selected major/minor scales/arpeggios/major chord progressions.

Additional Information

Practice pianos are available:

Piano lab, Room 203:12 electronic pianos with headphones, available when room is not being used for classes.

Practice Rooms:  located in Concert Hall south hallway; any rooms that are unlocked and contain a piano are available for individual practice.

 

Information on Protecting your Hearing Health can be found at: https://nasm.arts-accredit.org/publications/brochures-advisories/nasm-pama-hearing-health/

Syllabus Created on:

08/03/18 1:09 PM

Last Edited on:

08/03/18 1:09 PM