Course Syllabus – Private Piano
MUSP102/3-402/3 (1 semester hour)
Instructors: Dr. Beth Maisonpierre Dr. Jon Maisonpierre
Moore Hall 203 Moore Hall 207
521-6381 521-6593
beth.maisonpierre@uncp.edu jonathan.maisonpierre@uncp.edu
Texts:
As assigned by instructor
General Description:
Private lessons are 30 minutes and are taught weekly on a one-to-one basis. Private lessons are designed to build technical proficiency, repertoire, and awareness of pianistic problems. Additionally, the lessons help students become more aware of relationships between the assigned piano repertoire, music history, and music theory.
Lesson Expectations:
A private lesson should be treated like a class. Students are expected to be punctual and to bring a notebook in which to write specific assignments. Do not schedule other appointments during lesson times. Lessons will be rescheduled only if the instructor misses the lesson or if the student misses due to a UNCP-sponsored trip.
The instructor will select and assign repertoire and various technical exercises that are appropriate to the level of each student. Students should expect to work toward completion of both short- and long-term assignments.
Students are expected to purchase music in a timely manner. Library or borrowed copies may be used only until ordered music has arrived. Xeroxes and/or library copies may not be used for performances or juries.
Course Requirements:
á Attend all lessons.
á Practice a minimum of 30 minutes per day. A written practice journal may be required.
á Complete short and long term applied assignments as assigned by the instructor.
á Perform on a juried final exam at the end of the semester.
Evaluation/Grading:
á Each lesson will be graded. The average lesson grade counts 75% of the total grade.
á A missed lesson will result in a Ò0Ó unless it has been excused in advance. One Ò0Ó will be dropped.
á The final juried exam will count 25% of the final grade.
Specific Competencies:
á The student should display the ability to appropriately perform standard piano literature representative of various style periods.
á The student should demonstrate the mastery of progressively more difficult techniques in the following areas:
o The use of pedal
o The coordination of the two hands in both contrapuntal and homophonic textures
o The playing of two or more parts simultaneously with one hand
o Correct articulation and phrasing
o Correct interpretation of the written score with regard to pitches, rhythm, dynamics, tempos, and expression marks
o Correct performance of increasingly more difficult rhythmic patterns such as cross rhythms, changes in meter, hemiola, etc.
á The student should display the ability to execute major and minor scales, arpeggios, and various etudes.
á The students should develop the ability to isolate problematic areas in a composition and to develop exercises that will resolve these problems, thereby nurturing good practice habits.
á The student should develop the ability to sightread.
á The student should demonstrate an understanding of the elements of music as they relate to all kinds of music expression.
á The student should demonstrate the ability to evaluate his/her own musical performance.
Any student with a documented disability needing academic adjustments is requested to speak directly to Disability Support Services and the instructor, as early in the semester (preferably within the first class week) as possible. All discussions will remain confidential.
This publication is available in alternative formats upon request. Please contact Mary Helen Walker, Disability Support Services, Career Services Center, 521-6695.