Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

Group Piano III presents practical tools to further the development of basic piano skills. During class, students perform as an ensemble while following a tempo given by the instructor. Curriculum examines piano theory concepts, practicing habits, and various stylistic nuances. At the end of the term, students are encouraged to perform a solo piece in the presence of the instructor.

Upon successful completion of the course students will be able to:

• Perform major and relative minor scales in all keys (one/two octaves, separate hands, ascending and descending).
• Construct, identify, and perform seventh chords and selected upper-structure chords on all scale degrees of the major and harmonic minor scales.
• Construct and perform II-V-I exercises in 12 keys and identify harmonic modulations in piano compositions.
• Comprehend chord symbols common to pop, jazz and classical styles and create and perform accompaniment to a lead sheet.
• Read, interpret and perform an intermediate level piano composition.
• Perform a walking bass line to a simple blues or jazz progression.

Material for the course will be presented in a lecture format but also includes demonstrations and question and answer sessions. Instruction will take place in an electronic piano lab. 

• Instructor demonstrations of exercises, scales and pieces from workbook and other sources
• Student execution of exercises, scales and pieces from workbook and other sources
• Homework Assignments (assigned pages and chapters from workbook)
• Ear Training of diatonic and chromatic intervals, triads and seventh chords
• Classroom jam sessions
• In-class quizzes (written and aural)
• Class participation and discussion
• Providing constructive critique and feedback to in-class performances

Procedures used to evaluate student progress will be presented at the beginning of the course, with clarification of the instructor's expectations. Competency and grades will be determined according to the student's ability to perform assigned keyboard tasks during scheduled examinations. Written quizzes, homework assignments, creativity, participation, and regular attendance will also serve to gauge the outcome of a student's final grade.

• Progressions with inversions of the tonic chord
• Typical pop and jazz clichés, borrowed chords
• Variations of II-V modulations
• Sight-reading lead sheets
• Various modulations types
• Labeling and editing upper-structure chords
• Bass lines and basic stride elements
• Analysis of audio excerpts (variable)
• Improvisational Techniques
• Final Exam (Written and Performance)