Presentations Workshops
"Composing Music" Workshop
Deep Dish Music Festival 2022
Course Materials
Each one of the following course materials is intended for a single semester of class instruction, two 50-minute class periods per week. All courses feature both standard and specially composed, fun repertoire.
NOTE: The PDFs below are print disabled—Please contact me if you are interested in a printable copy.
Keyboard 1 instructs students how to play the keyboard and how to read its notation on the grand staff. Students learn proper playing position and the necessary technique to play pentachords, cadential sequences, and major scales using both hands in all major and minor keys. In addition, students analyze, play, and transpose short melodies in major and minor keys in either hand; harmonize longer melodies in major and minor keys; sight read simple short melodies with both hands; and perform short pieces from score using both hands.
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Keyboard 2 continues the work begun in Keyboard I. Emphasis is on strength and positioning; coordination of the hands is more highly developed and stressed. In addition, it expands sightreading of simple two-part pieces for the piano and introduces chord symbol interpretation using 3-note shell voicing. Students harmonize melodies using broken chords and hand position changes; perform piano music using inversions and arpeggiated figures; and perform short ensemble pieces and longer solos from a piano score.
Keyboard Harmony 1 instructs students to apply harmony and general theory to the piano keyboard. Students learn to play standard progressions of classical and jazz/pop styles in all major and minor keys using appropriate voicing. It extends its material to harmonization at sight, simple improvisation, and beat-chart and lead-sheet interpretation.
Introduction to Music Theory is designed as both a music theory class for non-music majors, and as a preface to and preparation for college level theory, harmony and analysis as well as sight-singing, musicianship and ear Training classes, or other more comprehensive classes in music theory. These course materials are recommended for students who have little or no experience with music theory or with reading music. Intended to be used in class or private lessons under instructor supervision, many students have found these materials helpful for self-study. The materials offer a wealth of easily singable folk tunes, and are an alternative to dry, bulky (and often expensive) methods that are commonly used.