Piano Lab I

DESCRIPTION: 
Introduction to the keyboard and the fundamentals of reading music at the piano. Students develop elementary keyboard techniques through group instruction and individual practice. Does not satisfy the humanities requirement.

RATIONALE: 
This course is designed for students with little or no keyboard skills. It is an introduction to the keyboard and basic notation. Emphasis is placed upon the understanding of the relationship between theory and practice in music and the reconstruction of notated music into sound. This course supports the understanding of music theory and prepares the student for all modules in the Music major.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: 
As a result of taking this course, the student should be able to:
1. identify musical notation on the grand staff and interpret symbols used in western music notation.
2. read understand basic rhythmic and melodic patterns and demonstrate them on the keyboard.
3. demonstrate elementary keyboard skills and techniques through the studied material, playing hands together within the pentachords of C, G, F, Am, Dm.
4. play major scales and harmonic minor scales in one octave, hands separately, starting on white keys; arpeggios of equivalent scales and their tonic triads in one octave, root position, hands separately.

METHOD OF TEACHING AND LEARNING: 
In congruence with the learning and teaching strategy of the College, the following tools are used:
- Group and individual practical guiding instructions and demonstrations
- Practical application of skills reinforced by written work of notation at every stage (Class and homework exercises) reviewed in class 

Office hours: students are encouraged to make full use of the office hours of their instructor, where they can ask questions, see their assigned work results and/or go over lecture material
- Use of a Blackboard site, where instructors post lecture notes, assignment instructions, announcements and additional resources
- Practice sessions at the online learning centres of McGrawHill, which are designed to reinforce taught material
- Individual practice of a minimum 7-8 hours per week outside the designated class hours
- Attendance to two live piano performances to be discussed in class