The Importance of Keyboarding

This year in music the students will be learning basic keyboarding skills. I know that seventh grade music seems a long way away when you are a fourth grader, but now is the time to think about what music option you will elect in junior high. Seventh grade requires a year of fine arts (visual, music, or drama). Lehi Junior High offers an unusually large selection of music classes. You can visit their website and look at the 7th grade registration to see Lehi Junior High's music requirements and offerings. However, two of the classes require prerequisites which must begin in fourth grade. Both percussion and guitar classes require a minimum of three years of piano lessons. This prerequisite is a standard for any junior high offering these classes. As a result, I will cover the beginning of basic five finger keyboarding (however much I can squeeze in during a four week period of time), to help students decide if piano lessons are for them (without mom and dad forking out money for lessons yet).

Basic keyboarding skills are a must for everyone. Whether you choose choir, band, or orchestra in the seventh grade, being able to walk over to a keyboard and pluck out the notes is invaluable. As a vocalist, I would be lost if whenever I started a new piece of music if I couldn't pluck out the notes of my part. My son is a trombonist and the first thing he does is pluck the tune out on the piano. The piano (or any other keyboard) is a unique type of instrument. As long as the piano tuner has done his job, the piano will always play the note in tune. This is not the case with many other instruments which (in spite of tuning) can be played out of tune.

Forms

Click here to view the Upper Grades Disclosure Document.

The Trimester System

The school year is divided into three trimesters. The students will receive their report cards at the end of each trimester. During the trimester, the students will attend four weeks each of all three specialties:  computers, P.E., and music. The order in which they will attend the specialties will depend upon which rotation they are in. Please consult with your child's core teacher to determine the rotation schedule. 

Music  follows the Utah State Core Curriculum for music. Therefore, the elements of music are introduced and practiced. The following is the general curriculum for each of the trimesters.

Trimester One (4 weeks)

Music Theory Unit

Reading music (in preparation for piano keyboarding).

Finger Exercises (in preparation for piano keyboarding).

Reading and practicing rhythm.

Rhythm accompaniment and creation.

Trimester Two (4 weeks)

Instrumental Unit

Five finger piano keyboarding beginning with middle C.

Practice charts will be required for this trimester. Students must turn in weekly practice charts. Each practice chart requires a total of 20 minutes (that would be 5 minutes a day for four days). Please note that music rotations often do not start at the beginning of the week. In fact, there is never music on Mondays. Music has a 4 day week. Therefore, the days that the practice chart are due may very. For example, if music starts on Tuesday, the first chart will be due on Friday (4 music days and the end of the first music week). If music starts on Wednesday, the chart will be due on Tuesday (4 music days, but also a weekend and a Monday -- the weekend and the Monday are bonus). I realize this can be confusing, but unfortunately the specialty schedule is a bit confusing. Students will be informed and reminded of when practice charts are due. Students will also be docked points for late practice charts or incomplete practice charts (i.e. only 15 minutes of practice or forgetting to perform for an adult).

Trimester Three (4 weeks)

Orchestra Instrument Identification and Vocal Units

Countermelodies and partner songs.

Identifying instruments.

Create part of a song (melody, ostinato).