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Norges musikkhøgskole Norwegian Academy of Music Search

Piano / Score Play­ing I

Course description

This course focuses on rudimentary piano playing for conductors to enable the students to make use of the piano’s potential as a supporting instrument in their work as conductors.

The course is precedes Piano / Score Playing II.

Learning objectives

On completion of this course, the student is expected to

  • be able to use the piano to learn simple scores
  • possess rudimentary piano skills
  • be familiar with different keys and transpositions in the score

Overview

Depending on the student’s individual circumstances, the course will cover

  • piano technique
  • score playing
  • sight-reading
  • shorthand notation / chord knowledge
  • playing by ear / transposition

Structure

The tuition is given one-to-one and/or in groups. Some of the tuition will be linked to the student’s own conducting practice.

For a summary of indicative workload and structure, please see the “Structure” section of the relevant programme of study.

The students are automatically registered for tuition/supervision and assessment in the subject in line with the progression set out in the individual education plan.

Course requirements

1. Repertoire list

At the end of each academic year the student should submit a repertoire list of at least 15 minutes’ duration. After two years of study the repertoire list should extend to at least 30 minutes. Most of the repertoire list should be linked to the student’s conducting repertoire and should include

  • piano reductions and/or pieces from the piano repertoire
  • rudimentary score playing

2. Internal test

At the end of each spring semester the student should complete an internal test involving a programme lasting approx. 15 minutes. The student will also be tested in sight-reading.

Deadline: The repertoire list must be approved by the course tutor by 15 May in the second semester of the course.

Final assessment

All course requirements must be met before the student can be given a final assessment.

The assessment is based on the learning objectives for the course. The course is assessed on a pass or fail basis in the form of an individual evaluation of the student’s level of attainment.

New assessment

In the case of re-assessment, the same procedures apply.

Study component

Published: Apr 3, 2020 — Last updated: Dec 18, 2023