Class Piano

OBU’s class piano lab consist of 10 Yahama digital keyboards with a lab controller and headsets.  As a class piano student, you will enjoy the feel of Yamaha weighted keys and the sound of a grand piano from these keyboards.  The headset system allows you individualized instruction and practice time in class.

The nine student keyboards are the Yamaha CLP 930, which includes recording and metronome capabilities along with 8 other instrumental timbres.  The teacher’s console is the Yamaha CVP 103 that includes floppy disk recording and playback as well as pre-set drum machine rhythmic accompaniments and a variety of other instrumental sounds.

The four levels of class piano are designed to give comprehensive piano instruction for all non-piano majors in our Division.  These classes count as secondary applied credit on all music major degrees.  When a student comes for enrollment, a piano placement exam is given in order to place the student in the appropriate level.

Some Concepts Covered in Each Semester:

Level One:  Covers all basics of music notation, the keyboard and its topography; basics of music reading using helpful reading principles, basics of harmony and harmonizing a given melody (I, IV, V) ; demonstrate skill with seven major scales and arpeggios.

Level Two:  Increase skill level with skills acquired in level one, greater use of chords,  including the ii, vi and iii, in  harmonization and improvisation; demonstrate skill with all 12 major scales and arpeggios.

Level Three:  Increase skill level with skills acquired in level two, greater use of chords,  including V7/V and V7/IV, in harmonization and improvisation;  demonstrate skill with all 12 harmonic minor scales and arpeggios. 

Level Four:  Increase skill level with skills acquired in level three, greater use of secondary dominants and some modulations in harmonization and improvisation; demonstrate proficiency by passing the Piano Proficiency Exam (final for level four).