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Music 121b f2019 Syllabus

This document provides information about the Music 121B - Keyboard Skills course for Fall Quarter 2019 at Western Washington University. It outlines the course objectives, which are to teach basic piano playing skills including scales, triads, sight-reading, and harmonization. It introduces the instructors and their contact information. The attendance policy, grading policy, required textbook, and a tentative weekly schedule are also summarized. The schedule provides details on the units to be covered each week, including topics, assignments, and in-class activities.

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Kaitlyn Ronstadt
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39 views

Music 121b f2019 Syllabus

This document provides information about the Music 121B - Keyboard Skills course for Fall Quarter 2019 at Western Washington University. It outlines the course objectives, which are to teach basic piano playing skills including scales, triads, sight-reading, and harmonization. It introduces the instructors and their contact information. The attendance policy, grading policy, required textbook, and a tentative weekly schedule are also summarized. The schedule provides details on the units to be covered each week, including topics, assignments, and in-class activities.

Uploaded by

Kaitlyn Ronstadt
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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MUSIC 121B – KEYBOARD SKILLS

FALL QUARTER 2019

Coordinator: Dr. Judith Widrig E-mail: [email protected] Office: Room 101


Instructors: Dr. Kay Zavislak E-mail: [email protected] Office: Room 101
Kaitlyn Ronstadt E-mail: [email protected] Office: Room 101

Office Hours: Tuesdays 10:00-10:30AM (Room101)


12:00-1:00PM (Keyboard Lab)
Thursdays 9:00-9:30 AM (Room 101)
Fridays 1:30-2:30PM (Keyboard Lab)

Objectives: Students enrolled in this course will learn the basics of the piano playing, which not only helps one's
general musicianship, but also helps to deepen the understanding of music theory by actively using the keyboard
skills to practice the learned concepts. Students will have the opportunities to play solo and ensemble repertoire.
The ensemble performance is an integral part of this course, as it positively impacts one's rhythm, steadiness of
tempi, sight-reading, and continuity. Students will learn triads and scales in all major keys using the conventional
fingering, and how to harmonize given melodies. Sight-reading will be assigned on weekly basis.

Required Textbook: Alfred's Group Piano for Adults Book 1, 2nd Edition
*Please bring your textbook to class every week.
*Please note that students who don’t have the textbook by the fourth week of classes my not be allowed to take
the midterm exam.

Attendance Policy: Strictly ONE absence allowed per quarter. Two or more absences and repeated tardiness can
result in a failing grade. Consult with the instructor or go to the Office of Student Life on campus, if
accommodation is needed due to unforeseen and challenging circumstances.

Grading Policy: Final Exam, 50%; Midterm 30%, classroom preparation 10%, written assignments 10%.
Students will receive a letter grade based on the following scale:
A = 93+ A- = 90+ B+ = 87+ B = 83+ B- = 80+ C+ = 77+
C = 73+ C- = 70+ D+ = 67+ D = 63+ D- = 60+ F = 59.9>

SCHEDULE
(Contents subject to change)

Week One, 9/25-10/1 UNIT 1: Keyboard Basics pp. 8-28


In-class: Hand position, finger numbers, counting review, keyboard geography, grand staff, note reading.
Assignment due next week: Read and Review pp. 9-22; Practice exercises on pp. 23-26; Complete and submit
pp. 27-28.

Week Two, 10/2-10/8 UNIT 2: Intervals and Other Keyboard Basics pp. 29-40
In-class: Exercises pp. 23-26, melodic and harmonic intervals, note values/rhythm review, dynamic signs, key
signature review, sight-reading, harmonization.
Assignment due next week: Read and Review pp. 29-32; Learn "Miniature Waltz" HS; Sight-reading pp. 36-37;
Complete and submit pp. 39-40.
Challenge: Learn "Minute" on p. 34.

Week Three, 10/9-10/15 UNIT 3: Major Five-Finger Patterns pp. 41-57


In-class: Perform "Miniature Waltz", sight-reading pp. 36-37, major five-finger patterns and chords, new time
signature, sight-reading, harmonization.
Assignment due next week: Read and Review pp. 41-45; Technique p. 49; Sight-Reading pp. 50-51;
Harmonization p. 52; Ensemble "Waltz" p. 55.
Challenge: Learn "Dance" p. 46.
Week Four, 10/16-10/22 UNIT4: Major Five-Finger Pattern Review pp. 59-70
In-class: Ensemble "Waltz" p. 55 and "Barcarolle" p. 56, review five-finger patterns in all major keys, repertoire
"Dance" p. 46, rhythm reading, sight-reading; harmonization with chord symbols, ensemble "Forty-Fingers
Ensemble" pp. 66-67.
Assignment due next week: Read and Review pp. 60-61; Sight-Reading p. 63; Harmonization p. 65; Solidify
"Forty-Finger Ensemble" pp. 66-67; Complete and submit pp. 69-70; Repertoire "Dance" p. 46.
Challenge: Learn "Little Scherzo" p. 64.

Week Five, 10/23-10/29 UNIT 5: Minor Five-Finger Patterns pp. 71-83


In-class: "Forty-Finger Ensemble" pp. 66-67, harmonization p. 65, minor five-finger patterns, sight-reading pp.
76-77, review relative minor keys p. 79, repertoire "Etude" p. 80.
Assignment due next week: Read and Review pp. 72-77; Repertoire "Dance" p. 46; Sight-reading RH only p. 82.
MIDTERM CONTENTS:
1. Five-finger patterns in all Major and minor keys
2. Repertoire "Dance" p. 46
3. Sight-reading chosen from pp. 76-77

Week Six, 10/30-11/5 MIDTERM & UNIT 6: Minor Five-Finger Pattern Review pp. 84-95
MIDTERM: Five-finger patterns all keys; "Dance" p. 46; Sight-reading from pp. 76-77
In-class projects: Repertoire "Etude" p. 80; Learn your part for "Erie Canal" p. 83; Harmonization p. 82 HT (add
LH tonic/dominant notes); Sight-reading pp. 90-91.
Assignment due next week: Finish items under "In-class projects"; Complete and submit pp. 95-96.
Challenge: Learn "Toccatina" pp. 88-89.

Week Seven, 11/6-11/12 UNIT 7: Chord Qualities pp. 97-106


In-class: Perform "Etude" p. 80, ensemble "Erie Canal" p. 83, harmonization p. 82 & p. 87, chord qualities pp. 97-
98, rhythm p. 99.
Assignment due next week: Read and Review pp.97-99; Sight-reading pp. 102-103; Repertoire "Toccatina" pp.
88-89.
Challenge: "Country Gardens" p. 105 learn the melody.

Week Eight, 11/13-11/19 UNIT 9: Major Scales (Group 1) and Triads of the Key pp. 120-134
In-class: Repertoire "Toccatina" pp. 88-89, 2-handed accompaniment p. 105, technique p. 121, major scales (Gr.
1--CAGED keys) 1 octave, triads of the key p. 120. One octave fingering will be on the board!
Assignment due next week: Read and Review pp. 120-126; CAGED major keys HS one-octave scales; Sight-
reading pp. 126-127; I-IV-I-V-I LH chords in root position; Harmonization p. 130 #1; Complete and submit p.
134.
Challenge: Learn "Dream Echoes" pp. 116-117 & play 2-octave scales.

* 11/20-11/24 THANKSGIVING BREAK*

Week Nine, 11/25-11/29 UNIT 10: Major Scales (Group 2) & Triads and Inversions pp. 135-147
In-class: 2-handed accompaniment p. 105; LH I-IV-I-V-I chords in root position; major scales (Gr. 2--F, B, G-flat
& D-flat major) p. 141, triads of the key p. 135, inversions p. 136.
Assignment due next week: Read and Review pp. 135-137; Exercises pp. 138-139; Practice Gr. 2 scales HS 1
octave; Sight-reading p. 146; Repertoire "Dream Echoes" pp. 116-117. Final Exam repertoire will be determined.
Challenge: Learn "Etude" p. 144 & play 2-octave scales.

Week Ten, 12/2-12/6 FINAL EXAM REVIEW


In-class: Review all Gr. 1 & Gr.2 major scales HS 1 octave, Repertoire "Dream Echoes" pp. 116-117, review
triads of Gr. 1 & Gr. 2 keys, LH I-IV-I-V-I chords; Harmonization (hand-outs).
*Sign up for an individual appointment for the Final exam. The Sign-up sheet will be posted*
Assignment due next week: Prepare for the final exam.

FINAL EXAM 12/9-12/13


Please note that the university policy states “A student who fails to take a final exam without prior arrangements
acceptable to the instructor will receive a failing grade”.

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