The University of Memphis
Rudi E. Scheidt
School of Music
MUSE 3101-001: Functional
Piano Skills Fall 2025 Syllabus
Course website: https://www.umclasspiano.com
Meets: TR 11:20 – 12:45
Instructor: Dr. Kevin Richmond,
coordinator of class piano
Office Hours: MW 11:30 – 12:30 in MU
231
E-mail: kdrchmnd@memphis.edu
PREREQUISITE
Keyboard concentration or consent
of instructor.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
MUSE 3101 will cover materials
through handouts at every class meeting.
Topics include harmonization in various styles, score reading,
sight-reading, keyboard theory, improvisation, technique, and
transposition. These topics are based on
all major and minor keys, blues scales, modes and all qualities of triads and
seventh chords in root position with inversions. Styles include Baroque through contemporary
art music, folk and popular tunes, and blues/jazz.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
The design of the course focuses on developing
keyboard skills for students to function as competent and confident musicians.
Various activities provide the opportunity of discerning style and genre and to approach the musical arts creatively and with the highest of standards.
REQUIRED MATERIALS
None
RECOMMENDED MATERIALS
3-ring binder for numerous
handouts
CLASSROOM CONDUCT
This course requires
your active participation at all times. Questions and discussion
are welcomed and encouraged. Any classroom distractions or disruptions are
unacceptable. Please arrive on time with cell phones and any other electronic
devices turned off. There is absolutely no food or drink allowed in
the piano lab.
PRACTICE
You must commit 20-30 minutes a
day at the keyboard. Satisfactory progress requires this commitment! Each class
meeting includes new skills and concepts based on the assumption that the prior
material has been prepared. This is a skill-development course and will not
suffice to understand the material intellectually. You
must train your hands, ears, and eyes by doing!
ATTENDANCE
Regular attendance in class is
expected. Meetings occur only three hours per week and include pertinent
information regarding skills and assignments. 10% of your grade is based on
attendance and calculated as follows:
|
Absences |
0/1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
>6 |
|
Grade |
A+ |
A |
A- |
B |
C |
D |
F |
PROFICIENCY REQUIREMENTS
Three proficiency exams
take place on various dates throughout the semester. Each exam consists of
several components (harmonization, improvisation, keyboard theory, repertoire,
sight/score reading, transposition) and you receive a grade for each component. These are played live for your instructor. Proficiency III is scheduled during the final
examination period for this course as published in the official course
schedule! Plan accordingly.
You must pass ALL
components of EVERY proficiency with a C- or better. This means you will need
to re-take any items with grades lower than a C-. Your original grade will be
retained and averaged with all re-take grades. Schedule any re-takes with your instructor according to the deadlines
listed below. If you have not completed re-takes by the deadline, you will
receive an F for each of the incomplete items.
If you do not successfully
complete the re-takes for Proficiency III during the final exam period, you
will receive an Incomplete (I) for the course. The Incomplete will be removed
when the proficiency is completed. You have 45 days from the last class day to complete the proficiency. Keep in mind that all re-take grades are averaged into
your final grade.
GRADING POLICY
Your
final course grade is the average of three proficiencies/all re-takes (90%) and
attendance (10%).
ASSISTANCE
Please
do not hesitate to schedule an appointment if you have concerns or questions.
Your questions are welcome, and I am happy to help. Getting help early can
facilitate a successful semester. Sign up for an appointment in any open space
on my schedule, which is posted weekly on my office door.
IMPORTANT DATES
Proficiency I: September 23/25 (during regular class time)
Re-take any topic with a grade lower
than C- through Friday, October 24
Proficiency II: October 28/30 (during
regular class time)
Re-take any topic with a grade lower
than C- through Thursday, December 4
Proficiency III: Thursday, December
11, 8:00am – 10:00am