Bösendorfer Piano Photo (c) Bösendorfer Piano Co. Image from The Piano Page . |
Piano For Pleasure:
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Piano for Pleasure, 4th edition, by Martha Hilley and Lynn Freeman Olson, available at either Alamo II or University Bookstore. Spiral binding only!!!Optional: Old Union practice key, $15 deposit required, obtained from Music Department Office, CE 230.
Piano for Pleasure is designed as an introduction to playing the piano. Skills will include note reading in bass and treble clefs, rhythmic reading, and other basic music skills, technical exercises designed to aid you in playing the piano, and piano pieces appropriate for beginning players. Group classes also include ensemble pieces.
Daily attendance in class is expected. There will be no make-ups for missed grades due to absences. If you have more than three unexcused absences during the semester, your participation grade will be affected and this may result in a lowered course grade. Official university business, such as ensemble tours, must be documented in advance in writing in order to be excused. If you must be absent from class because of a university activity or for a personal reason, it is important that you notify your teacher of this in advance. This will enable you to stay informed about class assignments.
Be in class on time. It is discourteous to your teacher and to your fellow students if you arrive late. Excessive tardiness will not be tolerated. If you have special circumstances which prevent your being on time, discuss this with your instructor in the first week of classes. There will be no make-ups for grades missed due to tardiness.
Acceptable excuses do NOT begin with My dog, My roommate, My mother, My alarm clock, My car . . .
You will be graded periodically in class on assigned materials, through prepared in-class performances, written quizzes, written assignments, or other materials. Each grade assigned during the semester will be weighted equally in determining your final course grade. Missed grades due to absence or tardiness will be averaged into the final grade as zeros.
Midterm and final exams will take place in the Group Piano Lab, CE 209. Each of these exams will consist of several components, which may include repertoire, sight reading, technique, and/or improvisation. You will receive detailed information regarding the content of the exam at least two weeks in advance of the exam dates. Final exam format subject to change.
You may practice in the group piano lab during Open Lab Hours. A Teaching Assistant is always present to assist you.Practice rooms are available in the basement of Cook Hall. In order to practice after 7 PM or on weekends, you will need go to the Music Department Office, (Centennial East 230) to have your Student ID card activated for access.
Practice rooms are also available in Old Union. You need to check out a key at the Music Department office, which you may keep while you are taking piano classes. The key requires a $15 deposit, which will be refunded to you when you turn in the key.
Plan on spending a minimum of 30 minutes per day practicing your group piano materials. Don't attempt to 'cram' for tests. It won't work. Daily practice is necessary in order to develop piano skills.
If you are having difficulties, or when you have questions, see your instructor right away. We welcome your questions, and are here to help you in any way we can. You may also see Dr. Morenus for assistance: make an appointment (Cook Hall 204), drop her an email cgmoren@ilstu.edu , or leave a phone message at 438-3470. Your instructor will provide you with his/her office location and office hours.
Help is also available here on the internet. Click here to access MIDI files of all the materials in the course text, Piano for Pleasure.
Don't wait until finals week to ask for help. If you have problems, get help early so that you can have a successful semester.
Last updated 09/08. Questions? Send email to cgmoren@ilstu.edu