This unique and practical certificate offers courses that will develop teaching skills, music theory knowledge, and general business practices.
teaching; including choices of materials, setting up a studio, technology and other areas. A Certificate of Completion in Teaching Beginning Piano will be granted upon completion of 14 required units with a minimum GPA of 2.0. A second certificate in Teaching Intermediate Piano will be granted upon completion of 16 required units with a minimum GPA of 2.0. Teaching Beginning Piano - Required Courses:
MUS 25 Teaching Beginning Piano (2 units)
MUS 26 Methods and Materials for Piano Teachers (2 units)
MUS 8A Harmony & Musicianship I (4 units)
MUS 8B Harmony & Musicianship II (4 units)
MUS 38 (2 Semesters) Applied Music (2 units)
TOTAL: 14 units
Teaching Intermediate Piano - Required Courses:
MUS 27 Teaching Intermediate Piano (2 units)
MUS 28 Keyboard Skills (1 unit)
MUS 10A Chromatic Harmony and Musicianship (4 units)
MUS 10B Post-Romantic & 20th Century Harmony (4 units)
MUS 1 Introduction to Music (3 units)
MUS 38 (2 Semesters) Applied Music (2 units)
TOTAL: 16 units
OTHER CERTIFICATION
A student who so desires may enroll for the Certificate program and at the same time accumulate credit hours toward the Associate in Arts degree in music at Las Positas College. The AA degree requires a total of 60 units. The accumulation of credit hours toward the Piano Pedagogy Certificate: The Successful Piano Teacher program should assist the piano teacher in meeting the requirements for active teacher status in the Music Teachers' Association of California. COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
MUS 8A ~ Harmony and Musicianship I
Elements of diatonic harmony through part writing and ear training exercises as typified by musical practice from 1600 to the present. Includes keys, modes, scales, tonality, intervals, solfeggio, consonance/dissonance, rhythmic organization, chord structures, chord and interval recognition, melodic and rhythmic dictation, voice leading principles, non-chord tones, four-part voice leading with selected primary and secondary chords, and figured bass realization. MUS 8B ~ Harmony and Musicianship II
Continues diatonic harmony through part writing and ear training exercises as typified by musical practice from 1600 to the present, continues solfeggio, chord recognition, melodic and rhythmic dictation, voice leading involving four-part choral writing, and figured bass realization. Introduces harmonic dictation, cadential elaboration, non-dominant seventh chords, and an introduction to secondary/applied chords and modulation
MUS 10A ~ Chromatic Harmony and Musicianship
This course incorporates the concepts from the Mus 8 series. In addition, through writing and analysis, the course will include: introduction to chromatic harmony; secondary/applied chords; modulation; borrowed chords; introduction to Neapolitan and augmented-sixth chords. Mus 10A also applies and develops the rhythmic, melodic, and harmonic materials of the musicianship portion of Mus 8 series through ear training, sight singing, analysis, and dictation. MUS 10B ~ Post Romantic & 20th Century Harmony
This course incorporates the concepts from Music 10A. In addition, through writing and analysis, the course will include: post-Romantic techniques such as borrowed chords and modal mixture, chromatic mediants, Neapolitan and augmented-sixth chords, 9th, 11th and 13th chords, altered chords and dominants; and 20th century techniques such as: Impressionism, tone rows, set theory, pandiatonicism and polytonalism, meter and rhythm. This course also applies and develops the rhythmic, melodic, and harmonic materials of Mus 10A through ear training, sight singing, analysis, and dictation. MUS 25 ~ Teaching Beginning Piano
Principles of successful piano teaching with emphasis upon development of technique and reading ability in beginner level students; private and group piano teaching methods; personal development as teacher and musician. Observation of piano lessons or classes and supervised practice teaching of private or class piano students may be required. Intended for pianists with intermediate or advanced skills. MUS 27 ~ Teaching Intermediate Piano
Principles of successful piano teaching with emphasis upon continued development of technique and reading ability in intermediate level students; private and group piano teaching methods; selection of intermediate literature; Baroque, Classical, Romantic and 20th Century styles; studio organization and personal development as teacher and musician. MUS 28 ~ Keyboard Skills
Emphasis on correct harmonization of melodies with various styles of piano accompaniments; transposition; improvisation; modulation; sight reading; principles of accompanying soloists and groups; ensemble playing; playing by ear. Frequent solo and ensemble performances in class. Intended for piano teachers or classroom music teachers. MUS 26 ~ Methods and Materials for Piano Teachers
Examination of various methods in print for use in teaching piano; setting up a teaching studio and maintaining the business; finding and selecting supplementary literature; preparing for recitals and other special events. Intended for pianists with intermediate or advanced skills who are engaged in the teaching of piano or who would like to prepare to teach. MUS 38 ~ Individual Study
Individualized study of the appropriate techniques and repertoire for a specific instrument or voice. Students meet individually with a private teacher for a total of 6 hours per semester, practice in department practice rooms for at least 1 hour per week during posted supervised practice hours, and meet once a week to perform for each other. Initial placement, mid-term and final recital/jury performance will be administered and evaluated by the Las Positas College Music Department faculty
MUS 1 ~ Introduction to Music
Music for enjoyment and understanding through informed listening, analysis, evaluation and discernment of musical elements, forms, and repertoire. Attendance at concerts and listening to a variety of music may be required. Las Positas College is the place to pursue certificates in piano teaching:
• Learn in our new $46.5 million Mertes Center for the Arts with a state of the art keyboard lab, and three theaters: a 450-seat proscenium Main Stage (with Steinway D grand piano), a Black Box, and outdoor Amphitheater.
• Be a part of one of the only certificate programs in Piano Pedagogy in the California Community College system.
• Gain practical experience by teaching both children and adults at a variety of skill levels.
• Join a thriving piano teaching community and learn about professional development, marketing, and entrepreneurship.
• Learn about cutting edge technology as well as tried and true piano teaching methods.
• Collaborate with new colleagues and engage in a welcoming and vibrant piano teaching community
• Grow as a teacher and artist with encouraging and experienced faculty. Testimonials:
“The Piano Pedagogy certificate at Las Positas College is a rewarding program that helped me to establish a piano teaching career in my community and gave me the tools I needed to successfully teach music theory and extensive musicianship skills to all of my current and incoming students. I would highly recommend this program to students that are interested in sharing the gift of music. “
Jeanette R. - AA Music, Beginning and Intermediate Piano Teaching Certificates.
“I am so glad to have gone through the Piano Pedagogy Certificate Program at Las Positas College. It provided me the practical knowledge and technical skills that normally come from many years of real world experience. It was a perfect fit for my needs in getting started in a career of teaching piano.”
Janet J. - AA Music, Beginning and Intermediate Piano Teaching Certificates.
“I have been a certified piano teacher for beginners and intermediate students for 10 years. My pedagogy training was through Las Positas College in Livermore. The teachers and the pedagogy program is second to none! The program was very professional and thorough, and taught me everything I needed to know to set up my piano studio and tailor my lessons specifically for each student’s learning abilities. I thank Las Positas College for teaching me everything I needed to know to be a successful music professional!”
Kathy R. - Beginning and Intermediate Piano Teaching Certificates.
