Piano and Keyboard Skills

This class is a hands-on survey of introductory piano and organ technique, repertoire, and history. Covered topics include: note-reading, scale theory, chord theory, harmonic theory, rhythmic training, right and left hand technique, pedal technique, and an introduction to both instruments’ repertory and history.

Students will have time on their instrument during every class period, and will be required to devote significant, and regularly scheduled, time outside of class for practice. A sizeable portion of the course will be focused on Catholic Liturgical music and its relationship with the organ.

All choral and instrumental students are especially encouraged to take this course, as all musicians will need a basic understanding of these skills for future study at an undergraduate level.