My student Jairin just graduated from high school. He’s headed for college, where he plans to major in worship music, eventually hoping to become a minister of music.
Jairin’s already done a lot right. He’s involved in his church’s worship team and has tons of performance experience. He plays guitar. He knows how to cover mistakes, improvise, groove with a click track, and look like he’s enjoying himself when he’s onstage.
In his two years of lessons with me, Jairin and I have covered a fair amount of theory and technique. So when I learned he was going to Greenville College, I asked if he could get a syllabus for the required Class Piano courses so we’d know what was required. Here are the lists:
Class Piano I
Each student will be able to play:
All major and minor five-finger patterns
All major and minor triads and inversions
Cadence chord progression in any major key (I-IV6/4-I-V6/5-I pattern)
One octave scales in C, G, D, A, and E major, hands separately
In addition, each student will be able to:
Harmonize a simple melody with cadence chords
Transpose a melody as requested
Demonstrate excellent familiarity with all chord qualities
Sight-read an appropriately leveled example in a major key
Prepare and perform a solo selection
Class Piano II
Each student will be able to play:
Cadence chord progression in any minor key (i-iv6/4-i-V6/5-i pattern)
The “vocal warm-up” in any key as requested
Major scales & arpeggios F, B, Gb, Db, Eb, Ab, Bb (2 8va, hands separately)
All minor Scales & arpeggios (2 8va, hands separately)
All qualities of seventh chords in any key
In addition, each student will be able to:
Transpose a musical example in minor (chords and melody)
Harmonize an appropriately leveled example
Demonstrate excellent knowledge of modes
Sight-read an appropriately leveled musical example
Prepare and perform a solo selection
Meet all requirements for testing out of Piano I
With a little review and brush-up, Jairin was able to test out of both these one-hour classes. Not only will he save time in college, but also approximately $418 per credit hour: more than $800 savings because of private piano lessons.