Academic Catalogs

MUS A242: Piano 4

Course Outline of Record
Item Value
Curriculum Committee Approval Date 12/08/2021
Top Code 100400 - Music
Units 2 Total Units 
Hours 54 Total Hours (Lecture Hours 27; Lab Hours 27)
Total Outside of Class Hours 0
Course Credit Status Credit: Degree Applicable (D)
Material Fee Yes
Basic Skills Not Basic Skills (N)
Repeatable No
Grading Policy Standard Letter (S)

Course Description

Intermediate/advanced classical piano literature in master class performance. Emphasis on artistic development of student performers. PREREQUISITE: Successful audition; to be verified by instructor during first week of enrollment. ADVISORY: MUS A241. Transfer Credit: CSU; UC.

Course Level Student Learning Outcome(s)

  1. Present musically sophisticated performances of intermediate classical compositions with appropriate balance, phrasing, dynamics and style, with correct stage presence.
  2. Harmonize in a variety of styles incorporating primary triads, and additionally the ii chord; and transpose short compositions in major and minor keys.
  3. Fluently play all Major and most minor scales (c, g, d, a, e, f, b), hands together, followed by arpeggios in the same keys, hands separately, for two octaves.

Course Objectives

  • 1. Perform all major and minor scales (4 octaves, ascending-descending).
  • 2. Apply various articulations while performing 4 octave scales including: a. Legato b. Staccato
  • 3. Perform as a soloist in a master class setting.
  • 4. Aurally identify the themes in a sonata structure.
  • 5. Explain and demonstrate memorization techniques.
  • 6. Demonstrate a performers score notations for phrasing, articulation and fingerings.
  • 7. Sight-read a 16-measure early intermediate piece at medium tempo (quarter-note=80-100) with 80% accuracy.

Lecture Content

1. Major and minor scalesa. Major scales - All keysb. Minor scales – All keysc. 2 octavesd. 4 octavese. Tempoi. Slowii. Mediumiii. Fastiv. Contrasting articulations1. legato2. staccatov. Varying intervals1. at the 3rd2. at the 6th3. at the 10th 2. Classical literaturea. Differentiation of style and structurei. The sonata structure1. A theme2. B theme3. development4. recapitulation5. famous sonatas from the classical eraa. Mozartb. Beethovenii. Structures of the Baroque era1. Prelude2. fugue3. suite4. French style5. chaconne6. passacagliaiii. Structures of the Romantic era1. Prelude2. etude3. program music4. waltz 3. Performancea. Choosing repertoirei. Suitabilityii. Audienceiii. Playabilityiv. Cohesive programv. Technical endurancevi. New and old repertoireb. Audio examples of notable performersi. Stylistic differentiationii. Performance evolution from a historic viewpoint 4. Memorization techniquesa. Extended musical structuresi. Hear themesii. Play themesiii. motifsiv. visualization 5. master classa. performeri. concentration during longer compositions1. follow structure2. modulations3. thematic developmentb. auditori. take notesii. support the performeriii. follow the scoreiv. make notations in the score1. fingerings

Lab Content

1. Practice and review of major and minor scales in group piano lab at keyboards. 2. Practice and review of major and minor arpeggios in group piano lab at keyboards. 3. Writing harmonic analyses of assigned works. 4. Writing out transpositions of assigned works. 5. Rehearsal of ensemble works using grouped lab keyboards and headsets. 6. Supervised lab time for using music software to create transcriptions and score annotations. 7. Rehearsals of assigned works for public performance. 8. Practice and review of functional skills for sight-reading in preparation for sight-reading component as part of piano audition required for transfer.

Method(s) of Instruction

  • Lecture (02)
  • Lab (04)

Instructional Techniques

1. Lecture 2. Group rehearsal and performance. 3. Solo rehearsal and performance. 4. Participation in master class.

Reading Assignments

Online reading selections provided by instructor from various texts and publications, including standard works such as The Great Pianists (Schonberg) My Many Years (Rubenstein), and The Harvard Dictionary of Music.

Writing Assignments

Students will write a critical analysis of a musical performance.

Out-of-class Assignments

1. 60 minutes minimum practice at the piano 5-7 days per week. 2. Listening to reference recordings as recommended by instructor for critical thinking, aural analysis, and the development of stylistic awareness and interpretive ideas for performance.

Demonstration of Critical Thinking

Written (music) and performance tests

Required Writing, Problem Solving, Skills Demonstration

Students must demonstrate proficiency in performing classical piano music to the instructors satisfaction to complete the course. This will include solo performance, sight reading and technical studies.

Eligible Disciplines

Music: Masters degree in music OR bachelors degree in music AND masters degree in humanities OR the equivalent. Masters degree required.

Textbooks Resources

1. Required Palmer, Manus Lethco. Alfred All-in-One Piano Course, ed. Chatsworth, CA: Alfred Publishing, 1997 Rationale: Early-intermediate literature, theory, and technique are combined in this textbook.