See classes below for specific class information: 

Music 100, 101, 202 & 303 - Achievements for each level when placing out.  

Students placing out of Music 100 will be able to play on the piano the following: 
(Music 100 is offered only in the fall semester) 

• Scales: All White key Major and Minor Scales - 2 octaves, hands separate, demonstrating correct fingering. 
• Arpeggios: All White Key Major and Minor Arpeggios – 2 octaves, hands separate,  
  demonstrating correct fingering. 
• Chord Progressions:  I, IV6/4, I, V6/5, I  
• Harmonization: Melodies using the chord progression above in the left hand. 
• Transposition:  Any harmonization transposed to another key by sight. 
• Performances pieces (a total of 5): Two hands – Pieces emphasize position changes on White Keys for both hands, demonstration of skills in interval relationships, performance of major and minor mode pieces, playing pieces of varied tempos and meter markings, and rhythms.  
• Technical exercises demonstrating: Staccato and legato technique - rhythms of quarter, eighth, sixteenth, triplet and dotted rhythms. Pedal Technique taught.  
• Sight-reading technique is examined in class at various times throughout the semester 

Students placing out of Music 101 will be able to play on the piano the following: 
(bolded areas indicate advancements from Music 100.  Music 101 will only be offered in during the spring semester.)  

• Scales: All White key Major and Minor Scales - 2 octaves, hands together, demonstrating correct fingering. All Black Key Major Scales – 2 octaves hands separate demonstrating correct fingering.  
• Arpeggios: All White Key and black key Major and Minor Arpeggios – 2 octaves, hands separate, demonstrating correct fingering. 
• Chord Progressions: I, IV6/4, I, V6/5, I; i, iv6/4, i, V6/5, i.; I, vi 6/4, IV6/4, ii, V6/5, I;  
  I, iii6/4, IV6/4, I. 
• Harmonization: Melodies (4/4 & 6/8 meter) using ALL the chord progressions above taught in the left hand. 
• Transposition: Any harmonization transposed to another key. 
• Performances pieces (a total of 4): Two- hands – Pieces emphasizing position changes on White and Black Keys for both hands; demonstration of skills in interval relationships; performance of  major and minor mode pieces; playing pieces with varied tempo and meter markings, playing pieces with various rhythms. More emphasis on assessing musicality regarding dynamics, phrasing, & style.
• Technical exercises demonstrating: Staccato and legato technique - rhythms of quarter, eighth, sixteenth, triplet and dotted rhythms. Pedal Technique correctly demonstrated.  
• Sight-reading technique is examined in class at various times throughout the semester 

Students placing out of Music 202 will be able to play on the piano the following: 
(bolded areas indicate advancements from Music 101. Music 202 is offered in both the fall and spring semesters.) 

• Scales: All White key Major and Minor Scales - 2 octaves, hands together, demonstrating correct fingering. All Black Key Major Scales – 2 octaves, hands together, demonstrating correct fingering. All Black key Minor Scales – 2 octaves hands separate, demonstrating correct fingering.  
• Arpeggios: All White Key and black key Major and Minor Arpeggios – 2 octaves, hands separate, with correct fingerings. 
• Chord Progressions: Review of I, IV6/4, I, V6/5, I and i, iv6/4, i, V6/5, i. and I, vi 6/4, IV6/4, ii, V6/5, I and I, iii6/4, IV6/4, I. New chord Progressions: Taking the Tonic I and starting in the first and second inversion and playing the remaining traditional chord progression in close proximity.  
• Harmonization: Melodies (4/4 & 6/8) meter using ALL the new chord progressions taught in the left hand.
• Transposition: Any harmonization transposed to another key. 
• Performances pieces (a total of 6): Two hands – Advanced level of performance in various keys and modes. More emphasis on grading musicality regarding dynamics, phrasing, complex rhythms, & style. 
• Technical exercises demonstrating: Staccato and legato technique - rhythms of quarter, eighth, sixteenth, triplet, and dotted rhythms. Pedal Technique correctly demonstrated.
• Sight-reading technique is assigned outside of class with protocol steps on how to sight-read correct notes and rhythms with a steady tempo. Examples include pieces defined as homophonic and polyphonic in texture.   

All students must enroll in Music 303 and attend prior to the drop/add period.   The Keyboard Proficiency Exam (KPE) will be offered to students wishing to receive credit by Exam prior to the drop/add.  The KPE exam IS the final exam for Music 303.

For any questions related to Class Piano, please contact Scott Zane Smith at smithsz@jmu.edu.