MUSA 126 Keyboard Skills I

Previously MUSC 114. Keyboard Skills I is a corequisite course taken the same semester as Music Theory I and Ear Training and Musicianship I. It offers the student the fundamentals of functional piano and technical skills in preparation for the required music major Piano Proficiency Examination. In addition, it reinforces concepts from Music Theory I and Ear Training and Musicianship I.

Credits

1

Corequisite

MUSA 122 and MUSA 123

Hours Weekly

2 hours and additional practice time

Course Objectives

1. Play white key and black key major and minor cross-over arpeggios, four octaves, ascending
   and descending (LH, RH, LH, RH, and finishing at the top with the LH crossing to the root
   before descending).
2. Play the M-m-d-m-M-A-M cross-over arpeggio routine, ending on the single tonic note at the
   top of the last ascending major arpeggio (four octaves, ascending and descending).
   
3. Play white key major scales, ascending and descending, two octaves, hands together.
   
4. Play white key minor scales (all three forms), ascending and descending, two octaves, hands
   together.
5. Play white key major arpeggios, ascending and descending, two octaves, hands together with
   thumb turns.
   
6. Play white key minor arpeggios, ascending and descending, two octaves, hands together with
   thumb turns.
7. Play major and minor triads in root position, first inversion, and second inversion, ascending
   and descending, hands separately, blocked and broken, starting on any given note (be sure to
   use the given fingering).
8. Play I-IV-V-I using triads in root position, ascending only, hands together, in all white major
   keys.
9. Play i-iv-V-I using triads in root position, ascending only, hands together, in all white minor
   keys.
   
10. Play I-IV-I-V-V7-I in typical cadential position in all white major keys, hands together.
    
11. Play i-iv-I-V-V7-i in typical cadential position in all white minor keys, hands together.
    
12. Harmonize simple melodies with I and V7 harmonization and transpose them to any given key.
13. Harmonize simple melodies with primary chords and transpose them to any given key using an
    accompaniment other than blocked chords.
14. Play “Happy Birthday” with the melody in the RH and the harmonization (I-IV-V7) in the LH.
    Use three different accompanying styles: blocked chords, waltz bass, and Alberti bass.
    
15. Add an accompaniment other than blocked chords to given melodies with chords symbols.
16. Play I-vi-IV-ii-V-V7-I in G, B, F#, and Bb major.
17. Play Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, and Mixolydian modes on any given note.
    
18. Play two ensemble pieces.
19. Play two classical repertoire pieces.
    
20. Sight read.
    

Course Objectives

1. Play white key and black key major and minor cross-over arpeggios, four octaves, ascending
   and descending (LH, RH, LH, RH, and finishing at the top with the LH crossing to the root
   before descending).
2. Play the M-m-d-m-M-A-M cross-over arpeggio routine, ending on the single tonic note at the
   top of the last ascending major arpeggio (four octaves, ascending and descending).
   
3. Play white key major scales, ascending and descending, two octaves, hands together.
   
4. Play white key minor scales (all three forms), ascending and descending, two octaves, hands
   together.
5. Play white key major arpeggios, ascending and descending, two octaves, hands together with
   thumb turns.
   
6. Play white key minor arpeggios, ascending and descending, two octaves, hands together with
   thumb turns.
7. Play major and minor triads in root position, first inversion, and second inversion, ascending
   and descending, hands separately, blocked and broken, starting on any given note (be sure to
   use the given fingering).
8. Play I-IV-V-I using triads in root position, ascending only, hands together, in all white major
   keys.
9. Play i-iv-V-I using triads in root position, ascending only, hands together, in all white minor
   keys.
   
10. Play I-IV-I-V-V7-I in typical cadential position in all white major keys, hands together.
    
11. Play i-iv-I-V-V7-i in typical cadential position in all white minor keys, hands together.
    
12. Harmonize simple melodies with I and V7 harmonization and transpose them to any given key.
13. Harmonize simple melodies with primary chords and transpose them to any given key using an
    accompaniment other than blocked chords.
14. Play “Happy Birthday” with the melody in the RH and the harmonization (I-IV-V7) in the LH.
    Use three different accompanying styles: blocked chords, waltz bass, and Alberti bass.
    
15. Add an accompaniment other than blocked chords to given melodies with chords symbols.
16. Play I-vi-IV-ii-V-V7-I in G, B, F#, and Bb major.
17. Play Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, and Mixolydian modes on any given note.
    
18. Play two ensemble pieces.
19. Play two classical repertoire pieces.
    
20. Sight read.