Instructor: Caleb Fontenot

Email: fontenotco@lamarpa.edu

Phone:

Office Hours: MWF 1:00p - 4:00p & T/Th 10:00a - 3:00p

Additional Contact Information:

Intermediate class instruction of keyboard technique.

Alfred's Group Piano for Adults Student Book 1 Lancaster, E.L. Alfred Music; 2nd edition (2004) ISBN: 9780739053010

Textbook Purchasing Statement: A student attending Lamar State College Port Arthur is not under any obligation to purchase a textbook from the college-affiliated bookstore. The same textbook may also be available from an independent retailer, including an online retailer.

Manuscript paper

 Note taking materials (paper, pencil, pen, etc.)

Blackboard access

LSCPA email

Office 365 access

MUSI-1182 Piano Class II

A. Demonstrates a professional tone quality by playing with proper piano posture and technique. (PSLO 1) 

B. Demonstrates a secure and accurate rhythm for the style of music being performed. (PSLO 1) 

C. Demonstrates pitch accuracy. (PSLO 1) 

D. Demonstrates dynamic levels that are appropriate for the style of music being performed. (PSLO 1) 

E. Demonstrates phrasing that is appropriate for the style of music being performed. (PSLO 1) 

F. Performs correct notes as required. (PSLO 1) 

G. Performs music from memory. (PSLO 1) 

H. Demonstrate proficiency in chord playing and chart reading. (PSLO 1) 

I. Perform scale techniques, repertoire and basic improvisation skills, produce five finger patterns in major and minor keys, play major and minor scales in selected keys, construct and play chords of different qualities, harmonize a melody, perform selected compositions. (PSLO 1) 

J. Demonstrates a commitment to the profession with attendance, persistence in the program, and timeliness to classes, rehearsals, and performances. (PSLO 4)

PSLO 1: Applies commercial music performance techniques to professional practice. 

PSLO 2: Applies commercial music performance skill to support sound engineering practice. 

PSLO 3: Applies basic music industry principles to professional practice. 

PSLO 4: Demonstrates professional behavior as characterized by a commitment to the profession.

Week 1: Course/Syllabus introduction; Rhythmic concepts and how they are used in music notation with commercial piano. Exercise time signature “feels” with rhythmic drills.  

 Week 2:  Cont. Rhythmic concepts with rhythmic drills. 

Week 3: Study all tertian and some extended scale forms (major/3 versions of minor/modes/pentatonic/blues/etc.). Review all triad qualities and diatonic relationships. 

Week 4: Diatonic triads and four-voice chords review through scale forms. 

Week 5: Study of triads through inversions and voice leading. Introduce creating and using triad-over-root chords. Introduce all four-voice qualities. 

Week 6: Four-part chords, their inversions with voice leading. Creating and using four-voice chords over roots. 

Week 7: Review for mid-term (chapters 1-10) 

Week 8: Mid-term exam of scales/3 and 4-part chords/over-root chords 

Week 9: 'Hanon' technical exercises and Chapter 11 the Pop BalladChapter 13 New Age 

Week 10: Chapter 12 Pop-Rock and Hard Rock styles/Chapter 16 Country & Country-Rock  

Week 11: Chapter 14 R’n’B Ballad 

Week 12: Chapter 15 R’n’B Funk 

Week 13: Chapter 17 Slow Gospel 

Week 14: Chapter 18 Fast Gospel 

Week 15: Final Exam  

Major/Minor Scale Weekly Quizzes, Triads/7th chords w/ inversions tests, Solo Repertoire assignments, Mid-term and Final performances

November 30, - December 4, 2026.

 90 - 100=A 80 - 89=B 70 - 79=C 60 - 69=D Below 59 = F

Class Attendance 10% 

Prepared Repertoire 35% 

Technical Assignments 20% 

Mid-term Exam 15% 

Final Exam 20% 

*Keyboard Lab Policy - The equipment in the keyboard lab must always be treated with respect and care. Headphones should be used at all times and an acceptable volume level must be maintained. Please notify the instructor immediately if there is a problem with the equipment. Students who show disregard for the instruments/equipment will be asked to leave the class session and will be counted as absent for the day. In addition, a grade of "zero" will be recorded for any assignments/quizzes that are due that day. Any further violation of this policy will result in the student being dropped from the class at the instructor's discretion. 

The instructor takes attendance promptly at the beginning of every lecture. 

Students are expected to attend and participate in all lectures for this course. If a student is late or absent from class, they must inform the instructor via email. 

Attendance counts for 10% of a student’s overall grade in this course. Failure to attend class may result in a student failing this course. If a student accumulates over 5 unexcused absences in this course, they will automatically fail. Any student with perfect attendance (no unexcused absences) will receive an automatic 5-point bonus added to their final exam grade. 

An absence is only considered excused if it is unavoidable (illness with a doctor’s note, bereavement, injury or accident en route to class).  

A planned appointment will not be excused by the instructor. 

Students are expected to arrive on time for all lectures. A student will lose half of their daily attendance credit for any late arrival or early departure exceeding 5 minutes. Two late arrivals or early departures are the equivalent of one absence. A student more than 20 minutes late to class will be counted as absent and unexcused. 

Students are encouraged to utilize the resources provided by LSCPA Student Services (https://www.lamarpa.edu/student-services/index.html) such as tutoring, counseling, career coaching, and the food pantry.  

Be sure to check your campus email and Course Homepage using MyLSCPA campus web portal. You can also access your grades, transcripts, academic advisors, degree progress, and other services through MyLSCPA.

Academic honesty is expected from all students, and dishonesty in any form will not be tolerated. Please consult the LSCPA policies (Academic Dishonesty section in the Student Handbook) for consequences of academic dishonesty.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Accessibility Services Coordinator, Room 119, in the Ruby Fuller Building. The phone number is (409) 984-6241.

No food or tobacco products are allowed in the classroom. Only students enrolled in the course are allowed in the classroom, except by special instructor permission. Use of electronic devices is prohibited.

This syllabus is part of LSCPA's efforts to comply with Texas House Bill 2504.

As per Texas law and LSCPA policy, all LSCPA employees, including faculty, are required to report allegations or disclosures of child abuse or neglect to the designated authorities, which may include a local or state law enforcement agency or the Texas Department of Family Protective Services. For more information about mandatory reporting requirements, see LSCPA's Policy and Procedure Manual.

LSCPA is committed to establishing and maintaining an environment that is free from all forms of sex discrimination, including sexual harassment, sexual violence, and other forms of sexual misconduct. All LSCPA employees, including faculty, have the responsibility to report disclosures of sexual misconduct, including sexual harassment, sexual assault (including rape and acquaintance rape), domestic violence, dating violence, relationship violence, or stalking, to LSCPA's Title IX Coordinator, whose role is to coordinate the college's response to sexual misconduct. For more information about Title IX protections, faculty reporting responsibilities, options for confidential reporting, and the resources available for support visit LSCPA's Title IX website.

For more information about the Clery Act and crime reporting, see the Annual Security & Fire Safety Report and the Campus Security website.

If you have a grievance, complaint, or concern about this course that has not been resolved through discussion with the Instructor, please consult the Department Chair.