Practice Time. Regular practice is essential to progress and success in the study of piano. The School of Music Handbook states that, “The recommended amount of practice time is one hour per day for each hour of credit received.” For example, 1 hour credit = 7 hours per week practice; 2 hours credit = 14 hours per week practice; 3 hours credit = 21 hours per week practice.

Practice Sight Reading. The skill of sight reading is an essential component of musicianship. Sight reading skill cannot be taken for granted -- it is not an automatic outcome of practicing memorized repertory. IT MUST BE PRACTICED. Students are expected to practice sight reading on a regular basis. Spending at least 1 hour a week sight reading music would be advisable. Sources for sight reading material include library scores, easy repertory books, hymnals, sheet music and music anthologies. Sight reading is a component of the Piano Proficiency (MUG 2010) which must be passed in the 2nd semester Sophomore year.

Be on time. Students are expected to show up for their private lessons on time. When it is time for your lesson, please knock and come on in. Every effort will be made to start and end lessons on time.

Practice Instrument. Students are expected to practice regularly for their classical piano lessons on an acoustic piano, preferably a grand piano. Although this may not always be convenient and since many students own synthesizer keyboards, reported practice time should be practice on an acoustic piano only and not a synthesizer keyboard.

Warming up before a lesson. Students are expected to warm-up before lessons. At the very least, this means spending 10-15 minutes playing some exercises, scales and playing through the pieces which will be studied in the private lesson.

Accompanying. Piano Principals are encouraged to accompany at least one vocal or instrumental student each semester. Accompanying more than 4 students on a regular basis is discouraged.

Proper Attire. Students are expected to dress properly when performing for departmental recitals and juries (“dress-up” not casual).

Participation in Piano Seminar. Piano Seminar (MAB 3070) is one of the support courses for piano principals and minors. This class meets once a week on Wednesday at 2:00 p.m. and is an opportunity for all the students of a particular studio to meet together regularly in order to perform for one another and discuss various aspects of piano performance and technique. All piano principals and minors must participate satisfactorily in Piano Seminar.

Piano Proficiency Examination. The Piano Proficiency Examination is required for all keyboard principals and minors and is administered in the 4th semester of study along with the Sophomore Technical during the jury. The student should register for the Piano Proficiency course (MUG 2010) in the 4th semester of applied study. The specific skills required in the Piano Proficiency Examination are:

-- harmonize a melody
-- improvise an acceptable melody over a given chord progression
-- transpose a simple piece up or down a 1/2 step or whole step.
-- sight read a hymn.