Our classes are thoughtfully designed to accommodate piano players of every skill level. Anyone can fit in! Even if you sign up to a higher level class, than your current skill level calls for, you won’t feel intimidated. Your fellow Saddleback music students are very friendly and supportive. There is no pressure – everyone is allowed to learn at his or her own pace. Although our faculty’s motto is: "Practice, practice, practice," helping our students progress and gain confidence are the faculty’s primary concerns. Making sure our students play better by the end of the semester, at whatever level - beginning, intermediate or advanced – is all that matters.

MUS 51 - APPLIED MUSIC: KEYBOARD
Limitation: College audition and concurrent enrollment in an ensemble course: MUS 31,32,33,34,35,40,41,42,43,47,62,63,64 or 65
Individual instruction in piano to develop competence in technique, stylistic interpretation and performance practice.
Repeatable up to 3 times.

MUS 54A - BEGINNING PIANO I
Introductory piano course focused on basic music reading and sight-reading, developing correct piano technique including tone production, familiarization with keyboard harmony and various performance styles, and learning basic repertoire. Open to first year music and non-music majors (formerly MUS 54).
Repeatable up to 3 times.

MUS 54B - BEGINNING PIANO II
Prerequisite: MUS 54A or demonstrated proficiency
Second level introductory piano course focused on basic music reading and sight-reading, developing correct piano technique including tone production, familiarization with keyboard harmony and various performance styles, and learning basic repertoire. Open to first year music and non-music majors.
Repeatable up to 3 times.

MUS 55A - INTERMEDIATE PIANO I
Prerequisite: MUS 54B
Second level piano course focused on selected major and minor scales, piano technique including tone production, sight-reading, learning repertoire and performance styles to achieve third semester level technical and interpretive piano performance ability. Emphasis on keyboard harmony (formerly MUS 55).
Repeatable up to 3 times.

MUS 55B - INTERMEDIATE PIANO II
Prerequisite: MUS 55A
Second level piano course with continuing focus on all major and minor scales, piano technique including tone production, first and second chord inversions, sight-reading, building of repertoire and performance styles, and heightened emphasis on ensemble performance to achieve fourth semester level technical and interpretive piano performance ability. Continued emphasis on keyboard harmony.
Repeatable up to 3 times.

MUS 56 - ADVANCED PIANO
Recommended Preparation: MUS 55
A "master class" or workshop course focused on understanding musical styles through careful study of Baroque, Classical, Romantic and Contemporary piano literature. Works and their performance are thoroughly analyzed as to style, interpretation and appropriate technique.
Repeatable up to 3 times.

MUS 58 - PIANO REPERTOIRE AND PERFORMANCE PROCEDURES
Recommended Preparation: MUS 55 or demonstrated proficiency
Study of important solo piano literature from the works of J.S. Bach to Contemporary composers. Emphasis on technique and solo-performance preparation strategies.
Repeatable up to 3 times.

MUS 64 - PIANO ENSEMBLE
Recommended Preparation: MUS 55 or demonstrated proficiency
Study of duo-piano literature, including original compositions and transcriptions, for four and eight hands. Emphasis on style, interpretation, ensemble playing techniques and sight-reading.
Repeatable up to 3 times.

MUS 65 - PIANO ACCOMPANYING
Recommended Preparation: MUS 55 or demonstrated keyboard proficiency
Study of piano literature written to accompany voice and other instruments individually and in ensemble. Emphasis on style, interpretation, ensemble playing techniques and sight-reading.
Repeatable up to 3 times.

MUS 178 - BEGINNING PIANO PEDAGOGY
Recommended Preparation: Two years piano study
Study of the history of piano method books down to the most effective current piano teaching techniques. Students teach a beginning piano student with instructor supervision. For music majors and community teachers seeking to refine their teaching method.
Repeatable up to 3 times.

MUS 189 - SP TPS: INTRODUCTION TO ORGAN TECHNIQUE
Recommended Preparation: MUS 55 or demonstrated keyboard proficiency
Instruction in organ keyboard and pedal technique, registration, hymn playing and organ literature. Emphasis on performance of simple organ compositions, hymns and choral accompaniment.

MUS 189 - SP TPS: INTRODUCTION TO HARPSICHORD TECHNIQUE AND LITERATURE
Recommended Preparation: Two years keyboard training or demonstrated proficiency
Introductory study of the harpsichord’s history, performance practice, technique and repertoire in a master class format. Emphasis on Renaissance and Baroque harpsichord compositions, ornamentation, fingering, dynamics and articulation.

MUS 253 - ADVANCED PIANO MUSIC OF HAYDN
Recommended Preparation: MUS 56 or two years previous piano study
Advanced instruction in analyzing and performing Franz Joseph Haydn’s keyboard music. Emphasis on appropriate touch, dynamics, articulation, tone quality, balance, phrasing, and ornamentation for performing Classical repertoire.
Repeatable up to 3 times.

MUS 255 - PIANO COMPOSERS OF TODAY
Recommended Preparation: MUS 55B
Study of contemporary piano compositions to expand technique, scale patterns, expressive interpretation, chord progressions, and improvisational skills.
Repeatable up to 3 times.

MUS 256 - ADVANCED PIANO PEDAGOGY
Recommended Preparation: MUS 178 or two years previous piano study
To refine their teaching methods, experienced teachers teach younger students and perform music correctly in required demonstrations. Emphasis on late-intermediate and early-advanced level piano literature.
Repeatable up to 3 times.

MUS 257 - FAVORITE PIANO CLASSICS
Recommended Preparation: MUS 55B
Using favorite piano solos, this intermediate course introduces students to sight-reading, music theory, proper piano technique and practice routines, coaching sessions, performing, and listening in order to enhance their awareness of style and musicianship and their piano playing.
Repeatable up to 3 times.