Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2025

Class Piano I (Face-to-Face)

MUSC 1150-01

Course: MUSC 1150-01
Credits: 1
Term: Fall Semester 2025
Department: MUSC
CRN: 31264

Course Description

Music 1150, Beginning Piano, focuses on basic techniques of piano performance. The purpose of the class is to prepare the Music Major, Music Minor, or Musical Theater Major to pass the Keyboard/Piano Proficiency Exam at the end of the Spring Semester. A student who is more skilled at the keyboard may move at their own pace and perhaps complete the exam before that time.

Required Texts

  • Textbook: Alfred’s Group Piano For Adults (2nd ed.) by E.L. Lancaster and Kenon D. Renfrow
  • Piano Proficiency Exam: must be downloaded from the SUU Music Department handbook. (https://www.suu.edu/pva/music/handbook.html)
  • 3-ring binder or folder to keep additional material handed out in class
  • Pencil/pen
  • A metronome or metronome app to be used in individual practice sessions (optional)
  • Access to a piano or an electric keyboard

Learning Outcomes

  • Understand basic music theory and how it relates to the piano
  • Be able to sightread simple melodies and chords in the treble and bass clefs
  • Recognize and play all major, minor, augmented, and diminished chords on the piano in root position, 1st inversion, and 2nd inversion
  • Play two-handed major scales in all keys
  • Perform I, IV, V7 cadences in various major and minor keys and use them to harmonize familiar melodies
  • Transpose simple melodies and chord progressions
  • Improvise LH accompaniment patterns as well as 2-handed accompaniment patterns
  • Recognize and play various 7th chords and their inversions

Course Requirements

Grading
The grade breakdown for the course is as follows:
  • Attendance: 100 pts.
  • Weekly Recording Assignments: 100 pts.
  • In-Class Playing Tests: 100 pts. (4 total - 20 points each)

In-class playing tests: There will be four playing tests during the semester, each one focusing on a specific skill (or set of skills) needed for the piano proficiency test. If a student is unable to attend class on the day of the test, they will be responsible for reaching out to the instructor for a make-up time. The dates for the tests will be: 9/23, 10/16, 11/6, & 12/4

Weekly recording assignments: Throughout the semester, the class will be given 10 weekly practice assignments worth 10 points each. These will be assigned on Sunday and due the following Saturday by midnight. They'll need to be video-recorded and submitted through Canvas. A list of all assignments with due dates will be posted on Canvas. If a student has already passed off the sight-reading requirement for the keyboard proficiency test, they can receive an exemption from the weekly playing assignments.

Assignment grading policy: These assignments are designed to show a student's level of practice, NOT perfection. However, to encourage practice and mastery, I will be grading the assignments based on the following criteria:
  • 0-5 hesitations or missed notes - 10 points
  • 5-8 hesitations or missed notes - 8 points
  • More than 8 hesitations or missed notes - 5 points
Each song or theory exercise on the assignment will be averaged to find the total score.

Course Outline

                                                                
Thu Aug 28 | FIRST DAY: Introductions & Syllabus
Tue Sep 2 | UNIT 1: Basic music theory, C, F and G major chords
Thu Sep 4  | UNIT 1: Basic music theory, intro to sightreading; chord inversions
Tue Sep 9 | UNIT 2: Sightreading and rhythm exercises; review C, F, G chords, introduce D, A, E major chords
Thu Sep 11 | UNIT 2: Sightreading and rhythm exercises; review chords, introduce Db, Ab, Eb chords
Tue Sep 16 | UNIT 3: Major five-finger patterns; review all chords - introduce Bb, B, F# chords
Thu Sep 18 | UNIT 3: Major five-finger patterns; review all major chords, introduce minor chords and chord patterns
Tue Sep 23 | TEST DAY (Major Chords)
Thu Sep 25 | Unit 4: Five-finger pattern review; ensemble playing; introduce major cadences
Tue Sep 30 | Unit 5: Minor five-finger patterns; introduce folk songs with major cadences
Thu Oct 2  | Unit 5: minor five-finger patterns; Minor Cadences + folk songs
Tue Oct 7 | Unit 6: minor pattern review; two-handed accompaniment patterns using major and minor cadences
Thu Oct 9  | Unit 6; two-handed accompaniment patterns, with and without chord symbols
Tue Oct 14  | NO CLASS - FALL BREAK
Thu Oct 16 | TEST DAY (CADENCES & 2-HANDED ACCOMPANIMENT PATTERNS)
Tue Oct 21 | Unit 7: Chord qualities; 7th chords and other types of chords
Thu Oct 23 | Unit 7; Introduce arpeggios
Tue Oct 28 | Unit 8: Major scales; 7th chord arpeggios; ensemble playing
Thu Oct 30  | Unit 9: major scales and triads of the key; ensemble playing; using arpeggios (and 7th chords) in songs
Tue Nov 4  | Unit 10 major scales; arpeggio review
Thu Nov 6  | TEST DAY (ARPEGGIOS)
Tue Nov 11  | Unit 11 harmonization and improvisation; scales - C, D, E, G, A
Thu Nov 13 | Unit 12  practice; scales - F, B, F#, Db
Tue Nov 18 | Unit 13; scales - Eb, Ab, Bb
Thu Nov 20 | Unit 13; Review scales
11/25-11/27 | THANKSGIVING BREAK - NO CLASSES
Tue Dec 2 | Review Day
Thu Dec 4 | TEST DAY - (SCALES)
FINALS WEEK | Make up tests by appt.

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

Make Up Policy and Late Work: Assignments submitted to Canvas after the due date will be docked 10% the first week after the due date. Any assignments more than a week late will be docked 40% off the original score. Assignments given before midterm grades are submitted will not be accepted after the midterm exam.

Attendance Policy

  • Attendance and punctuality are required at all class sessions.
  • 24-hour advanced notification is required for excused absences. Exceptions can be made for emergency situations.
  • A missed class will only be excused at the discretion of the instructor or department.
  • Proof of acceptable excused absences (such as a doctor’s note) may be required.
  • Every student will be given 100 attendance points at the beginning of the semester. After the second unexcused absence, 5 points will be deducted for each unexcused absence thereafter.

Tardiness Policy: Students must arrive on time for classes. Late entrances are disruptive and hinder the flow of the class. Students who arrive late to class by 5 or more minutes after the hour will be administered a “tardy”. THREE (3) instances of a tardy will count as ONE (1) unexcused absence.

Practice

Practice: DAILY practicing will be necessary. Practice rooms are also available for a small fee, on a first-come, first-serve basis. Access to a practice room can be requested at the music office. The amount of practice time needed will vary according to each student’s ability and prior experience. Setting a specific time each day designated for practice is the best way to have consistent progress.

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.