Course Outline of Record

Item	Value
Eff Term	Fall 2026
Curriculum Committee Approval Date	02/17/2026
Top Code	100400 - Music
Units	0 Total Units (Lecture Units 0)
Hours	18 Total Hours (Lecture Hours 18)
Total Outside of Class Hours	36
Total Student Learning Hours	54
Course Credit Status	Noncredit (N)
Material Fee	No
Basic Skills	Not Basic Skills (N)
Repeatable	Yes; Repeat Limit 99
Open Entry/Open Exit	No
Grading Policy	P/NP/SP Non-Credit (D)

Course Description

This noncredit course is designed to develop the skills of older adults who want to learn to play piano or improve their piano skills. Students will practice technical skills and explore piano literature in a variety of styles. Students will also increase mental acuity through the memorization of song and practicing sight reading skills. This class will develop self-confidence, socialization skills, and provide an outlet for creative expression. Not Transferable.

Course Level Student Learning Outcome(s)

1. Perform an entire composition of at least 16 measures, hands together with independent parts, observing musical\\nexpression signs, and played in a steady tempo.
2. Differentiate between different time signatures.

Course Objectives

• Play the conventional cadence formula, I-IV-V7-I, in block chord and broken chord forms, in both hands in major keys of C and G.
• Read elementary piano music at the keyboard.
• Use playing mechanism (fingers, hands, wrists, and forearms) at the keyboard so that students are ready for further technical development in their piano study.

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Lecture Content

1. Staff Notation
   1. Clefs
   2. Pitch names
   3. Time Signatures
   4. Accidentals
2. Note and rest values
   1. Whole
   2. Half
   3. Quarter
   4. Eighth
   5. Dotted rhythms
   6. Ties
3. Piano positioning
   1. Posture
   2. Hand placement
   3. Finger position
   4. Pedal technique
4. Five-finger positional hand placement
   1. Single line melodies
   2. Block chords
   3. Broken chords
   4. Moving fingers
5. Scales
   1. Major, hands separately
   2. Minor, hands separately
6. Chords
   1. Primary chord position I-IV-V-I in C
   2. Primary chord position in various major keys

Method(s) of Instruction

• Regular NC Lect (NC3)

Instructional Techniques

-

Reading Assignments

Exploration of piano literature.

Writing Assignments

Written exercises evaluating class topics as needed.

Out-of-class Assignments

Application of rehearsal and practice techniques to prepare for in-class rehearsal.

Methods of Student Evaluation

• Projects (Individual/Group)
• Problem Solving Exercises
• Oral Presentations
• Skills Demonstration

Demonstration of Critical Thinking

Students will aurally and visually self-evaluate the execution of musical passages in a rehearsal setting.

Required Writing, Problem Solving, Skills Demonstration

Identify, evaluate, and solve the specific musical challenges presented in a music rehearsal setting.

Resources Subscreen

• Other: . . ().

Eligible Discipline(s)

• Music: Master’s degree in music OR bachelor’s degree in music AND master’s degree in humanities OR the equivalent. Master's degree required.