[Smt-talk] Fwd: Keyboards for theory classes?

[Roger Graybill]

I want to follow up on Rick Nelson’s posting about the role of keyboard at Cleveland Institute.  I visited CIM in February for a week as part of my sabbatical leave, and what they have achieved there is very impressive.  By the fourth semester, virtually all the students are able to perform the kinds of exercises Rick mentioned---figured bass, chorale melody harmonization, and even improvised modulations.   Of course the level of ability differs from student to student, but overall the bar is remarkably high.

I should also emphasize that the CIM students perform these in the “lecture” classes with the main instructor, not for a lab.  Keyboard is treated as an integral part of the curriculum, and students take it seriously.

My overall interpretation of the CIM program is that their theory training is not merely reinforced by keyboard, but is actually rooted in the keyboard experience in some fundamental way.  That’s actually a profound difference.

Roger Graybill

Dr. Roger Graybill
Faculty, Music Theory Department
New England Conservatory
617-585-1317
roger.graybill at necmusic.edu



On 5/5/14 3:05 PM, "Richard Nelson" <rxn12 at cim.edu> wrote:

At the Cleveland Institute, 25% of the two-year core theory curriculum is keyboard harmony, which is closely intertwined with written theory and aural training.  We find that the other areas of study are positively impacted due to cognitive, aural, visual, and tactile connections.  Students perform individually in class (figured bass, chorale melody harmonizations, improvised modulations, etc.) 2-3 times per week, and there are 3 or 4 Steinways (grands and uprights) in each classroom to facilitate this.

Students practice keyboard harmony in practice rooms, studios, and in our piano lab when it is not in use for classes.  Some students, on their own, purchase electric keyboards for their convenience, but this is not a requirement.

We use our own in-house materials for keyboard harmony which are closely connected to studies in written theory and aural training.
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