MCCCD Program Description

Piano Artistry

Course: MUP241

First Term: 2010 Spring

Lecture 2 Credit(s) 2 Period(s) 2 Load
Subject Type: Occupational
Load Formula: S

Description: Overview of topics and issues including practice skills, rhythm, technique, musicianship such as dynamics, ornamentation, pedaling, touch, phrasing, articulation, voicing, balance, and the manipulation of time, necessary for pianists and piano teachers in working for expression, finesse and artistry.

MCCCD Official Course Competencies
1. Create a practice schedule. (I) 2. Identify and perform rhythmic variations. (II) 3. Identify, create and perform technique variations. (III) 4. Create and perform added ornamentation to a piece. (VI) 5. Create a dynamic plan for a piece. (VII) 6. Identify and perform various pedaling techniques. (VIII) 7. Edit and perform a piece adding touch, phrasing and articulation variations. (VII, IX, X) 8. Identify voicing and balance problems. (XI) 9. Identify and perform various methods of manipulating time, i.e. rubato, ritardando, accelerando, agogic accenting, tempo changes. (XII) 10. Perform a piece adding interpretation, expression and the learned skills. (VI, VII, VIII, IX, X, XI, XII) 11. Identify memorization techniques and problems. (XIII) 12. Analyze performance preparation and anxiety. (XIV) 13. Critique another student`s performance. (II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, IX, X, XI, XII, XIII, XIV, XV, XVI)
MCCCD Official Course Competencies must be coordinated with the content outline so that each major point in the outline serves one or more competencies. MCCCD faculty retains authority in determining the pedagogical approach, methodology, content sequencing, and assessment metrics for student work. Please see individual course syllabi for additional information, including specific course requirements.

MCCCD Official Course Outline
I. Practicing Skills and Methods A. Planning and organizing a practice schedule B. Sight reading II. Rhythmic Analysis and Problems A. Regular division B. Borrowed division or irregular division C. Cross rhythms and Poly rhythms D. Syncopation and rests III. Variegated Piano Technique A. Five finger patterns B. Scales in parallel and contrary motion C. Chords (blocked and broken) and arpeggios (regular and skipping patterns): 1. Triadic chords 2. Sevenths 3. 9ths D. Glissandos: white key, black key IV. Short Review of Musical Forms A. Sectional forms B. Sonata allegro or developmental form C. Variation form D. Character pieces E. Concerto V. Short Review of Historical Eras - General Characteristics A. Baroque: 1600 - 1750 B. Classical: 1750 - 1820 C. Romantic: 1820 - 1900 D. Impressionistic: 1900 - 1920 E. Contemporary: 1900 - present VI. Ornamentation A. Names of ornaments B. Performance practices of ornaments VII. Dynamics A. Dynamic terms and symbols B. Dynamic overall plan: 1. Shaping: slurs, phrases, periods, sections 2. Dynamic levels and use of weights: finger, wrist, forearm, upper body, whole body VIII. Pedaling A. Damper pedal: B. Sustain pedal C. Una corda or soft pedal D. Pedal for effects IX. Touches and Tone Qualities A. "Ring tones" for melodic lines B. Mellow accompaniment tone C. Sharp accented tones D. Percussive tones E. Heavy and bombastic tones X. Articulation XI. Voicing and Balance A. Homophony B. Polyphony C. Heterophony: Chordal voicing combined with accompaniment patterns XII. Tempo A. Terms and symbols B. Tempo changes C. Meter changes D. Manipulation of tempo XIII. Memorization A. Analytic memory B. Visual & photographic memory C. Aural memory D. Rote/kinetic/physical or tactile memory XIV. Performance Anxiety and Confidence A. Degree of preparation B. Security C. Practice runs D. Psychological preparation and exercises XV. Practice Performance of a Solo Piece XVI. Critique Another Student`s Performance for Expression, Finesse and Artistry

MCCCD Governing Board Approval Date: 12/8/2009

All information published is subject to change without notice. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information presented, but based on the dynamic nature of the curricular process, course and program information is subject to change in order to reflect the most current information available.