Indiana University Jacobs School of Music
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Secondary Piano Program

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Courses for Non-Music Majors

IMPORTANT NEWS FOR NON-MUSIC MAJORS:

What Piano Class is Right for Me? Click here to find out!

If you have studied piano before, the course through which you can receive private piano lessons is MUS-Z 110 (MUS-Z 710 for graduate students).

For Fall 2008, the class number for MUS-Z110 is 12208 (in summer session II, the class number for MUS-Z 110 is 3184). For MUS-Z 710, the Fall class number is 12237 (in summer session II, the class number for MUS-Z 710 is 3188).

MUS-Z 110 is open to those who have completed MUS-P 130, or its equivalent (typically about 2 years of piano lessons, or if you can sight-read music with both hands). Students with no piano or limited keyboard experience should register for MUS-P 110, which is a beginner class, or for MUS-P 120 or MUS-P 130, which continue in this sequence.

Syllabi for piano classes can be found here from IU-networked computers only.


MUS-P 110 (2 cr., 2 hrs/wk):

This course is taught in a classroom/piano laboratory environment, and is intended for those who have NO keyboard background. Students who previously have formally studied piano should enroll in a higher-level course. The student achieving a passing grade in this course will be able to:

  • perform pieces involving use of both hands simultaneously, within a limited range.
  • play simple pieces in a variety of keys.
  • execute major scales starting on white notes (both hands together)
  • play five finger patterns (pentascales) starting on any note.
Theory covered in this class includes finger numbers, note reading, rhythm, dynamics, legato/staccato, key signatures, intervals, and rests.

MUS-P 120 (2 cr., 2 hrs/week):

This course is taught in a classroom/piano laboratory environment, and assumes that students are familiar with most of the material covered in P110 and can play simple pieces competently using both hands. The student achieving a passing grade in this course will be able to:

  • perform works involving leaps, and changes in hand position.
  • sightread simple pieces with both hands simultaneously.
  • play major and minor scales starting on white and black keys, over more than one octave, using both hands simultaneously.
  • transpose simple pieces to a variety of keys.
  • improvise simple melodies and accompaniments.
Theory covered in this course includes more complex rhythm, detailed study of keys and key signatures, types of chords and chord progressions, and harmonization.

MUS-P 130 (2 cr., 2 hrs/wk):

This course is taught in a classroom/piano laboratory environment, and assumes a sound knowledge of basic piano technique and music theory, as covered by P110 and P120. This class is primarily a class for the development and improvement of repertoire and technique. The student achieving a passing grade in this class will be able to:

  • Perform intermediate-level piano works from all stylistic periods (Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Modern)
  • Play scales, arpeggios, and chords in all keys.


MUS-Z 110 (2 cr., 1 hr/wk):

This course is intended for those students who have passed MUS-P 130, or students at an advanced level who have previously studied piano formally for several years. Instruction in this course is one-on-one with a private instructor in a weekly lesson. Material covered in this course is individually determined by the instructor to match the student's musical and technical needs. Our instructors are graduate students who have achieved a high level of performance and teaching ability in Classical Piano. Students who register for this course will be assessed the Applied Music Fee.

MUS-Z 710 (2cr., 1 hr/wk)

See MUS-Z 110. Graduate students who would like to take secondary piano should enroll for this course instead of for MUS-Z 110.


Indiana University
Jacobs School of Music