Gilbert DeBenedetti, Instructor

• Home Phone: 242-6650 (Pittsburgh)
  
• Part-Time Faculty Office: 836-9923
  
• Homepage: http:/www.pitt.edu/~deben/

Materials Needed

• DeBenedetti, G. Pathways to Harmony
• DeBenedetti, G. Piano Playing Made Easy
• DeBenedetti, G. Piano Playing: Popular Songs Made Easy is also available if anyone has already had experience playing the piano.
• Access to a music keyboard for daily practice.

Description of the Course

During the first part of each class I will teach music theory. Questions will be answered about assignments in the workbooks and new material will be presented. During the remainder of each class, students will come to the piano individually to receive feedback about their progress and to receive assignments to play for the following week. The other students meanwhile will work in their workbooks. Students can expect to be heard at the piano once every week for 5 to 10 minutes.

Grading

• Weekly piano lessons will count for 25% of your final grade. You will not be judged against other students regarding the rate at which you learn to play the piano. Learning this skill is more variable from student to student than learning academic subjects. So try not to compare yourself to other students in the class.
• A Performance final will count for 25% of your final grade. The performance final will be a memorized holiday piece. This will be a satisfying accomplishment that you can take away from this class.
• Music theory tests will count for 50% of your final grade.
• Workbooks will not be graded. Get feedback in class by asking questions about your assignments.
• Attendance will affect borderline grades.

Music Theory Calendar