Piano Lab-Rocklin High School

Mr. Shawn Spiess

sspiess@rocklinusd.org

SYLLABUS

Course Overview

This course is designed to teach the concepts and fundamentals necessary to play the piano. While performing on the piano is the primary goal of this class, the basics of music theory, such as notation, rhythm, melody and harmony, will also be learned. Students will develop the self-discipline needed for good practice habits as they prepare for class performances.

Course Objectives

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

• follow classroom procedures regarding practice and instruction.
• demonstrate basic competencies of piano performance.
• identify music notation and symbols relative to the level of proficiency.
• identify basic music forms in piano compositions.
• demonstrate proper performance and audience technique.
• independently prepare music for performance.

Course Materials

Always bring a pencil to class. Bring a three-ring binder with lined paper for note-taking and keeping assignments and sheet music. You MUST bring your own headphones/earbuds, but make sure they have a ¼” jack.  You can purchase a ⅛-¼ inch adapter for a few dollars in class or check one out. If you lose it you will need to pay for the lost item. Please make sure to remove the adapter from the keyboard. Don’t leave it in the keyboard. Bluetooth headphones will NOT work with our keyboards.

⅛” to  ¼” Adapter

Piano Books

Graded/Leveled Piano Method Books are provided to the student. Student skill level will be assessed and a book will be issued to use during the year. The books are the property of the school. Students will be required to replace damaged or lost books. A fee charge will be placed on their student account until the book is replaced or returned. Students do not check out books at the RHS Library like other school books. Piano Books will be checked out through Mr. Spiess.

Behavioral Expectations

Students will:

• be seated at their keyboard station when the bell rings.
• practice at their assigned keyboard(s)
• be allowed to use phones and other mobile devices for class purposes only when Mr. Spiess allows them to get it from the phone sleeve.
• not bring food, gum or drinks into the classroom. Water bottles are allowed but must be kept away from the keyboards. NO Food/Drink near or on the keyboards or pianos!
• take good care of their instruments and equipment in the classroom. If an instrument is not working properly the student must inform Mr. Spiess immediately.
• turn off instruments and stow chairs/benches under the keys.  
• always have their required materials at the start of class.
• demonstrate self-discipline, focus and good time management during their practice times.
• quickly follow directions given by the teacher.
• show respect to their teacher and fellow classmates

NO PHONE ZONE

Rocklin High School is now a “No Phone/Earbud/Smartwatch zone”. What does this mean for the classroom? All phones will be placed in a phone sleeve in all classrooms. You will be assigned a phone sleeve number. Place your phone in the sleeve before class starts. Attendance may be taken by viewing the phone sleeve. If you do not have a phone make sure to use one of the phone sleeve cards in place of a phone. Teachers have the right to decide how phones and technology with access to the internet are used in the classroom environment. These expectations are to be followed daily upon entering the room.

1. Phones should be silenced and stowed in the phone sleeve assigned number before the starting bell rings.
2. Phones for class work only when the teacher allows.
3. Students cannot use the phones for calling/texting family and friends, communicating with employers, social media, gaming, surfing the web, video recording or anything other than needed for classwork.
4. NO A/V recording of students is permitted.
5. Earbud and Smartwatch use is NOT allowed in class.  

Restroom Use

Please use the restroom before class begins. Students who need to use the restroom must ask permission to leave the room. Restroom Use Rules…

1. Brief amount of time
2. Students must sign out/in to use the restroom
3. C-Building Restrooms unless they are closed
4. NO Cell Phones/Smart Watches/Backpacks/Purses can be taken.
5. NOT a daily routine.
6. Students must return directly to class-NO wandering around campus.

Evaluation Criteria

Grades will be posted on Schoology.

30%        Practice-Preparation: Be in class, practice hard, follow directions, show improvement each time you are evaluated by the teacher.

30%        Performance-Recitals: All students will be graded on solo performances given periodically. Students who are unprepared on recital days will receive a No Mark/Zero. Recitals may be made up but will receive no more than 70%.

25%        Theory: Students’ understanding of music theory will be graded based on their completion of the written assignments and quizzes given in class. Late assignments will receive a No Mark/Zero. Assignments may be made up but will receive no more than 70%.

15%        Special Projects: This project will be selected by the instructor, and could include, but is not limited to, the following:

• Composer Presentation- Research a composer and make a class presentation.
• Recital Program- Select appropriate pieces and design a piano recital program complete with program notes for each piece.
• Piano Recitals: Perform quarterly, in class recitals.  One evening recital for parents, friends and staff members may occur in the fourth quarter if time and scheduling allows.
• Original Work: Create and perform an original musical piece by following specific guidelines outlined by a grading rubric.

A Note from the Teacher

• Because each student learns at their own pace, you will only be graded upon your own improvement and effort and not compared to other students in the class.
• The music you must learn as a beginner is not always the most thrilling music in the world, but you must start somewhere. The thrill comes from learning and mastering playing techniques for playing.
• Mastering the piano is not accomplished overnight, and sometimes not even in one lifetime. Have patience with yourself and others in the class.
• Remember, the more you practice the better you will be at playing the piano or anything else you set your mind to master.  There is not a single person in the world who was born with the skills to play the piano with masterful virtuosic ability.

Recommended Practice Routines

• Practice Slowly: Most students of instruments want to play faster than they are capable of playing.  A good general rule is to play at the tempo in which you do not make any mistakes.
• Mistakes are OK!  Don’t be afraid to make mistakes but when you do STOP!  Play the notes over and over again until you correct the mistake.  Start a few measures (bars) ahead and play through the section again.  If you play through without a mistake, continue on.  As your playing skills increase and the music is played correctly you should increase the tempo (speed) in which you play and practice.
• Metronome: A metronome is a device that keeps tempo by sounding a note, pitch or a click at a set tempo or speed you desire.  Mechanical metronomes are nice but they may be a bit cumbersome and hard to carry throughout the day.  There are many metronome apps that can be downloaded for free to your smart phones, iPads and tablets.  I would suggest searching for one to find the one you like.  Your Keyboard may also have a built in metronome. NOTE: You may only use your electronic device in class for an approved music app or class research.  
• Practice at Home: There is no better practice routine than playing your instrument daily.  A minimum practice time should be 30 minutes each day.  Advanced Pianists study many hours a day to perfect the art.  You are not required to practice like a concert pianist in this class.

Piano Playing Opportunities at RHS. 

Piano students may want to consider playing in other ensembles at RHS. Student Accompanists are needed for the RHS Choral Department. Keyboard players are needed for the Winter Musical Pit Orchestra. RHS Jazz Band is always looking for piano players. If you are interested please see Mr. Spiess for more details.

Students and Parents/Guardians: A Syllabus will be given to each student in class. Parents/Guardians please sign and give to your student to return during class no later than August 3oth. If you have questions please do not hesitate to contact me via email.

sspiess@rocklinusd.org

RHS Piano Lab 2025/26 Syllabus Signatures

Students and Parent(s)/Guardians(s) please sign and return this page to Mr. Spiess no later than August 27th, 2025. By signing you acknowledge that you have read and understand the class expectations. For questions please email Mr. Spiess at sspiess@rocklinusd.org

Student Name___________________________________

Student Signature________________________Date_____

ParentGuardian Name_____________________________

Parent/Guardian Signature__________________Date_____