Welcome to Piano Class!

Here you will find anything and everything to do with our piano classes. This includes our class syllabus, class procedures/policies, supplies needed, links/codes to Google Classroom and Remind, office hours and any other links pertaining to vocal music including other sites that may be important to your development as as musician and pianist.

If you have never played piano and have always wanted to learn, this class is for you. Here is a link to a website that will teach you about keyboard geography or how to get around on the keyboard.  This is what we will learn in the beginning of the course and you will need to know in order to play written music notation.

Knowing your way around the piano keyboard will make it much easier to learn scales, chords and songs.  Here is the link:

https://themusicworkshop.com/keyboard-geography-homeschool

Class Syllabus/Course Outline:

- This course explores music through the medium of piano performance.

- Beginners will learn keyboard geography and begin playing from day one.

- New concepts and skills are taught that build upon each other on a daily basis.

- Students will also learn to read music notation in both treble and bass clefs as well as fingering in different hand positions.

- Students will explore their creativity and expressing themselves in a positive way.

- Students will play and listen to a variety of musical styles and cultures brought in by the instructor and the students.

- Students will begin every day with “Finger Buster” exercises to help build their technique and dexterity.

You will be an independent learner. If you have disciplined practice everyday, then you are guaranteed to be successful!

Course Outcomes:

Students will be able to: 

- Play piano with proper technique

- Perform alone and with others

- Read music notation

- Compose music within specific guidelines

- Listen to, analyze, and describe music

- Evaluate/critique music and music performance using elements of music

- Understand the relationship between music and the world beyond the school setting

Materials:

Each student will need a music manuscript notebook that will be used daily in class for daily notation.  This music notebook must be brought to class every day.  Each student must also bring a pencil with eraser to class daily, along with a folder. My suggestion would be to get a three ring binder where looseleaf instances of any material can be inserted and organized. That's what I personally use. 

Attendance/Tardies/Discipline:

Be at your keyboard/chromebook with all of your materials and your headphones on and ready to begin class on time.

Pencils/Instrument care: Students should always have a pencil in class to mark their music.

Each student will treat their keyboard instruments with respect and do their utmost to prevent damage.

If an instrument becomes damaged, it is the student and parent/guardian’s responsibility to repair or replace the instrument.

Grading Policy - Assessments  

Playing Tests .....................................................................................................25%

There will be 2-3 playing tests each marking period consisting of a culmination of skills learned within each unit.  These may include such skills as new hand position, new pitches learned, new keys/accidentals, different fingerings learned, new notes/rests and their values, etc... with the goal of a different piece being performed.

Quizzes ...............................................................................................................20%

These will take place once a week or every other week and will incorporate shorter term skills and exercises learned in order to put them into the context of a new song being learned. These may also include written components examples of which may be rhythmic notation or melodic notation.  Quizzes may also cover music theory and piano facts

Authentic Assessments ......................................................................................25%

These will take place on a weekly basis and will be directly linked to the standards being learned within the units being taught.

Homework ..........................................................................................................10%

This is given daily and will include some form of finger exercise as well as written notation and/or an online video clip to watch and listen to and critical listening evaluations.

Classwork ...........................................................................................................20%

(This will include Daily Participation grade as well as daily “Finger Busters”

Students will perform assigned repertoire in groups and alone for a grade.

Grades are based on a rubric that will be provided and reviewed ahead of time.

Students should be prepared and have all necessary materials at the beginning of class. 

(This includes a music notebook, pencil and any music sent that the class is currently working on)

Students play assigned materials and are on task during class time.

Students demonstrate proper playing techniques and posture during class time.

While playing tests represent culminating activities, daily practice constitutes the most intense learning period. Evidence of effective practice skills must be demonstrated daily.

Students must have their materials on a daily basis. Students without a pencil or their notebooks are still responsible for all the material and will receive a lowered classwork/participation grade for that class period.

Class Procedures and Policies:

***We will go over these when we have our first class meeting***

Supplies Needed:

For now you will just need a dedicated notebook for this class and pencils.  You will be sent a link to print music manuscript paper (staff paper) where you can download this for free.

Class Codes:

See page titled Class Codes for all classes