MUSC 154 Basic Keyboard I. A required course for all students with the exception of keyboard majors. This course is designed to provide practical "hands-on" knowledge of the keyboard in today's music industry. Students will gain an understanding of chording (in nearest inversion) and will be required to create musical excerpts using upper structure triads.
Students who enter the program with piano as their principal instrument are exempt from taking MUSC 154/ MUSC 155 as part of the core course requirements for graduation.Accessibility Services Notice
Students who would like an academic accommodation and who have a documented disability should contact Accessibility Services, if they have not already done so.Course Details| Total number of weeks | 15 |
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| Total Credits | |
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| Total Hours | 15 |
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Typical hours per week breakdown| Lecture | 1 |
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Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, the learner will be able to:
- The students will be able to play basic chords in a pianistic and fluid manner
Teaching and Learning Approach
This course will provide the student with fundamental piano/keyboard skills and language, important and useful
tools for all musicians interested in composing, songwriting, arranging, self-accompaniment, teaching music, and
simply gaining a basic understanding of harmony and voice-leading.
In this first semester, the focus will be on learning major and minor triads in all inversions; moving through
common chord progressions using the "nearest inversion" principle; introducing 4-part (7th) chords; major scales
with proper fingering patterns; understanding basic chord symbol notation; introduction to simple "grand staff"
reading (treble and bass clef together); and understanding the 12 bar blues progression.Learning Resources
Resources to be distributed in class.Detailed Course Content, Topics, and Sequence Covered
1. -Discussion of the relevance of basic keyboard knowledge -Introduction to triads, inversions and the "nearest inversion" principle
2. Inversions, cont'd.
3. Introduction to Scales Brief introduction to use of pedals
4. Triads and scales, continued
5. Triads and scales cont'd
6. Triads and scales, cont'd.
7. Review
8. Midterm
9. Introduction to 7th chords and blues
10. Blues, cont'd.
11. Blues study, cont’d. Introduction to "Slash Chords".
12. Blues and slash chords, cont’d.
13. Review
14. FINAL EXAMAssessment
| Title | Learning Outcomes | Value |
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| Weekly work, class participation and | attendance 1 | 20% |
| Midterm Exam (Practical) | 1 | 30% |
| Final Exam (Practical) | 1 | 50% |
| Total | 100% |
Grading Table
Standard Contemporary Music and Technology Program Grading Table
| Percentage | Letter Grade | GPA |
| 97 - 100 | A+ | 4.33 |
| 94 - 96.9 | A | 4.00 |
| 90 - 93.9 | A- | 3.67 |
| 87 - 89.9 | B+ | 3.33 |
| 83 - 86.9 | B | 3.00 |
| 80 - 82.9 | B- | 2.67 |
| 77 - 79.9 | C+ | 2.33 |
| 73 - 76.9 | C | 2.00 |
| 70 - 72.9 | C- | 1.67 |
| 60 - 69.9 | P | 1.00 |
| Less than 60% | F | 0.00 |
| Did not withdraw | DNW | 0.00 |
See the Academic Calendar for General Information including how to withdraw from course(s) and other regulations.
Disclaimer
Information contained in this course outline is correct at the time of publication. Content of the course is revised on an ongoing basis to ensure relevance to changing educational, employment and market needs. The instructor will endeavor to provide notice of changes to students as soon as possible. The instructor reserves the right to add or delete material from courses.