Music 609: Instrumental Lesson 1

Course Syllabus

 

2000 - 2001

 

Instructor:            Mr. D. Carpenter            Office Hours:            3:04 - 3:30 PM

Office:            Band Office Rm. A-100                  

Phone:            368-3515            E-mail:            decwgbd@csrlink.net

TEXT: Varies from student to student according to acquired competencies.  Some common texts I use are Rubanks Intermediate & Advanced for all instrumentalists, Arbans for brass, Eck/ Melodious & Progressive studies for Flute, Klose for Clarinet, and Universal for Saxophone.

 COURSE DESCRIPTION:

Instrumental Lessons:  the study of applied music. This course will teach the student the basic and the advanced techniques of playing and performing on their chosen instrument. 

COURSE OBJECTIVES: 

Will be able to perform the following diatonic concert scales: C, Bb, F, G, Eb, Ab, & Db.

Will be able to perform the appropriate chromatic scale for their instrument.

All scales will be performed in two octaves if appropriate & in three if possible.

Student will learn to keep a resume of performances.

Students will learn to read rhythmic notation.

 COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

All students will participate in all classes and show evidence by their performance during classes of completing assigned homework (practice lesson).

  EVALUATION:

Grades will be based on your performance on three or four of the 9wks best lessons (designated performances outside of lessons will also be test grades), worth 50% - 70% of your 9wks / final grade. A final exam will be worth 20% of your final grade. The last 10% - 50% will be based on your homework, individual projects, and class work projects.

GRADES:

            A=100%-94%

            B=93%-85%

            C=84%-75%

            D=74%-70%

            F=below 70%

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WEEKLY   TOPICS

 

   1, 2   Introduction, Text Lesson, and Diatonic Scales

   3, 4   Breathing, Text Lesson, and Diatonic Scales           

 5, 6, 7   Tone Production, Text Lesson, and Diatonic Scales  

8, 9   Articulations 1, Text Lesson, and Diatonic Scales                       

 10, 11   Articulations 2, Text Lesson, and Diatonic Scales  

12   Arpeggios, Text Lesson, and Diatonic Scales

13, 14   Arpeggios, Text Lesson, and Diatonic Scales

15, 16, 17, 18   Flexibility, Text Lesson, and Chromatic Scales

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19, 20, 21   Literature, Text Lesson, and Chromatic Scales

22, 23, 24   Literature, Text Lesson, and Chromatic Scales

25, 26, 27   Literature, Text Lesson, and Chromatic Scales

28, 29   Literature, Text Lesson, and Chromatic Scales

30 - 36   Literature, Text Lesson, and Chromatic Scales 

FINAL EXAMINATION:            Written Comprehensive Finals are scheduled for the end of May.

STUDY ASSISTANCE:   Homework as listed and tutoring.  Ask me.

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Topic Descriptions for Instrumental Lessons

         Breathing -  Is a lesson on the basic mechanics of breathing.  This lesson is a discussion of bad habits, how to correct it, and how wind in the instrument is tantamount to the player’s success.

Tone Production –  Is a natural segue from the lesson on breathing.  Air is the source and catalyst of good tone. This lesson is a discussion of how to use the air to produce good tone.

Articulations – Is a lesson on the basic manipulation of the wind through the instrument.

Arpeggios – Is a lesson on performing the tonic chord in dms form.

Flexibility – Is a lesson on performing the lip-slurs and dexterity exercises that enable the player to develop this skill.

Literature – Is a lesson on performing the standard solo literature appropriate for the playing level of the student.

*** Thoughts about homework, better known as practice…    

DO IT!!  Even if it’s not quite complete,

DO IT!!  Even if you think it’s not right,

DO IT!!