Revised 9/2026

MUS 142 - Class Piano I (2 CR.)

Course Description

Offers the beginning piano student activities in learning musical notation, in accomplishing sight reading skills, and in mastering techniques of keyboard playing. Presents appropriate literature. Open to all students and may be used to fulfill applied minor instrument requirement for music major. Part II of II. Lecture 1 hour. Laboratory 2 hours. Total 3 hours per week.

General Course Purpose

This course is designed to teach the student fundamentals of good piano technique and to enable the student to read and play repertoire from a variety of styles and periods, to harmonize a simple accompaniment to single line melodies, and to play fluently, simple arrangements of the type used in many community vocal and instrumental ensembles.

Course Prerequisites/Corequisites

Prerequisite: MUS 141.

Course Objectives

Upon completing the course, the student will be able to:

gain sufficient reading and technical knowledge of the keyboard to enable them to
to learn new repertoire with a minimum of outside help
gain a working knowledge of D major, B flat major, A minor, E minor, D minor, G minor, B minor by by being able to perform hands together a I-IV-I-V-I progression, one octave scale and arpeggio in those keys
harmonize a simple melodic line according to given chord symbols using block chords
sight read a short example 8-12 bars with with no preparation
perform at an appropriate level a repertoire piece
learn patterns which will be useful in accompanying or in improvisation

Major Topics to Be Included

All major scales and minor scales with two or fewer accidentals along with corresponding chord progressions and arpeggios
Understanding of interpretive and expression markings
Literature from a variety of styles and periods of composition
Concepts of basic improvisation at the keyboard
Concert performance analysis through a written concert report

Optional Topics

History and development of keyboard instruments
Biographical background of the composers of the works studied
Understanding and appreciation of keyboard performance