Keyboard Placement Tests
Undergraduate Keyboard Studies Placement Examination
(for Non-Piano Majors)
This placement audition is for the purpose of assigning the student to either the first level, rudimentary, or accelerated level of Keyboard Studies. Students typically vary widely in terms of piano background.
In order to be placed in the first level of Keyboard Studies, students should have:
- secure knowledge of the keyboard;
- basic understanding of good fingering;
- the ability to sight-read examples in both treble and bass clef;
- knowledge theory fundamentals appropriate for Theory I;
- a prepared piece ready to perform
Outcomes
- Students with relatively extensive background in piano will be asked to demonstrate skills similar to those described for the piano major's exam.
- Students with little or no background in piano should not be concerned about their present inability to do some or all of the above. There are rudiments courses available to teach those things.
It is important for everyone to be placed in an appropriate course.
Undergraduate Sight-Reading Placement Examination
(for Piano and Organ Majors)
This will be an informal meeting to help the instructor become aquainted with new students. Students will be asked to play a short piece (3-4 minutes) of their choice, and to sight read one or more pieces.
Graduate Keyboard Placement Examination
(for piano majors pursuing a Masters degree)
The purpose of this placement examination is to help the instructor become aquainted with new students, and assign them to appropriate sections of Advanced Keyboard Skills or Keyboard Skills Review. Students will be asked to do the following:
- Play a short piece (2-3 minutes) of their choice.
- Sight read one or more pieces.
- Play and transpose chord progressions.
- Realize a figured bass.
- Play from a score that uses C clefs.
Students who demonstrate proficiency in these skills may be given credit for part of the course. Students who show a deficiency in sight-reading or basic keyboard harmony will be required to take Keyboard Skills Review (530.423-424) in the first year of the MM program, before being allowed to take Advanced Keyboard Skills in the second year.
