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Theory Placement Examination

Theory Placement Examination

All incoming music majors should initially enroll in MUSC 130 Diatonic Harmony and MUSC 131 Aural Skills I. A placement examination will be given at the first class meeting to test students' knowledge of music fundamentals. Students will be notified of the exam results at the second class meeting.

Exams will be graded as either satisfactory or unsatisfactory. A satisfactory grade allows the student to enter first semester music theory and aural skills (MUSC 130 Diatonic Harmony, MUSC 131 Aural Skills I). An unsatisfactory grade requires that the student either 1) enroll in and pass MUSC 101 Music Fundamentals with a grade of C or better; or 2) retake the entrance examination at the beginning of the following academic year. If needed, enrollment adjustments will be made following the results of the examination.

The examination will cover the following music fundamentals:

1. Note identification in treble and bass clefs (up to three ledger lines above and below each clef).
2. Interval size identification (unisons, seconds, thirds, fourths, fifths, sixths, sevenths, and octaves).
3. Key signature identification (all major and minor key signatures).

To prepare for the examination you may want to refer to Tonal Harmony by Stefan Kostka and Dorothy Payne, fifth edition, which will be the text used for MUSC 130 Diatonic Harmony. You may also consult any standard theory textbook, or contact your local music instructor.