MUS 225 - Introduction to Piano Pedagogy

1. Summarize elementary and intermediate piano performance skills in children and adults.
2. Summarize effective approaches in developing music reading skills specific to keyboard music.
3. Analyze and compare piano teaching materials for the beginning and intermediate piano student from published, out of print, and public domain resources.
4. Become familiar with teaching techniques and resources for adult students.
5. Describe the components of owning and operating a private piano teaching studio.
6. Develop studio documents appropriate for the professional piano teacher.
7. Demonstrate skill in planning and teaching a private lesson to a young or adult student at the beginning and intermediate levels.
8. Students will observe professional music educators teach piano lessons.
9. Describe professional organizations and professional journals for the private piano teacher.
10. Describe the copyright law as it pertains to published, out of print, and public domain teaching resources.
11. Develop a plan to implement a solution to a problem or issue. 
12. Describe the ethical and legal restrictions on the use of recorded, published and/or confidential materials, proprietary information, and intellectual property. 

A. Overview of literature and resources for piano pedagogy.

B. Discussion of teaching philosophies.

C. Discussion of qualifications and disposition of an effective professional piano teacher.

II. Week 3 through 7:

A. Review of beginning skills and piano teaching materials and resources for children and adults.

B. Discussion of effective lesson plans.

C. Development of lesson plans.

D. Lesson demonstrations.

III. Week 8 through 12:

A. Review of intermediate skills and piano teaching materials and resources for children and adults.

B. Discussion of effective lesson plans.

C. Development of lesson plans.

E. Lesson demonstrations.

IV. Week 13:

A. Discussion of business operations and income possibilities: studio policies, startup costs, communications with parents, and the implications of copyright laws.

V. Week 14:

A. Course wrap-up.

B. Final projects. 

C. Teaching observations due

Facilitated discussion: 20-50%

Teaching demonstrations: 30-50%
Mandatory Course Components:
Teaching Demonstration, Final Project, Observations of 3 piano lessons taught by a range of piano teachers/professors around the country.
Equivalent Courses:
None