Unit of study_

CPNO1603: Practical Keyboard Skills 1

2026 unit information

This unit is designed to help students strengthen their keyboard skills without the pressure of learning complex repertoire. It is suitable for students with varying levels of keyboard experience. The focus will be on developing practical skills, including scales, sight reading, transposition, score reading, chord reading and realisation. Students will also have the opportunity to choose and work on a piece of their own choice throughout the semester.

Unit details and rules

Managing faculty or University school:

Sydney Conservatorium of Music

Study level Undergraduate
Academic unit Performance
Credit points 6
Prerequisites:
? 
None
Corequisites:
? 
None
Prohibitions:
? 
None
Assumed knowledge:
? 
Basic keyboard skills.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. explore and apply a systematic approach to sight-reading, practicing reading ahead of the music to enhance the ability to translate written music into playing
  • LO2. identify and correctly interpret different rhythmic values, translating them accurately into playing
  • LO3. explore different methods to find the most effective fingerings for each piece, adapting them to suit individual playing style
  • LO4. refine coordination between both hands and develop proper pedalling techniques to ensure smoother, more expressive playing
  • LO5. prepare and present a work-in-progress piece of their own choice, applying feedback from the lecturer to improve technique and musical expression

Unit availability

This section lists the session, attendance modes and locations the unit is available in. There is a unit outline for each of the unit availabilities, which gives you information about the unit including assessment details and a schedule of weekly activities.

The outline is published 2 weeks before the first day of teaching. You can look at previous outlines for a guide to the details of a unit.

Session MoA ?  Location Outline ? 
Semester 1 2025
Normal day Sydney
Semester 2 2025
Normal day Sydney
Session MoA ?  Location Outline ? 
Semester 1 2026
Normal day Sydney
Outline unavailable
Semester 2 2026
Normal day Sydney
Outline unavailable
Session MoA ?  Location Outline ? 
Semester 1 2020
Normal day Sydney
Semester 2 2020
Normal day Sydney
Outline unavailable
Semester 1 2021
Normal day Remote
Semester 1 2021
Normal day Sydney
Semester 2 2021
Normal day Sydney
Semester 1 2022
Normal day Sydney
Semester 2 2022
Normal day Sydney
Semester 1 2023
Normal day Sydney
Semester 2 2023
Normal day Sydney
Semester 1 2024
Normal day Sydney
Semester 2 2024
Normal day Sydney

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Modes of attendance (MoA)

This refers to the Mode of attendance (MoA) for the unit as it appears when you’re selecting your units in Sydney Student. Find more information about modes of attendance on our website.

Important enrolment information

Additional advice

Must have keyboard skills and reasonable music reading skills.