Class Piano Information
Here are the requirements for Class Piano Proficiency Exams
Piano Proficiency Examinations
The Piano Proficiency Examinations are administered during a student's enrollment in MUS 113x. There are (3) examinations; each examination will consist of the elements detailed below.
A student must pass all (7) elements of the first examination before she/he can take the second examination and must likewise pass all seven (7) elements of the second examination before he/she can take third examination.
A student will not be allowed to pass the piano proficiency examinations without also earning a passing grade in MUS 113x. A student who fails the third examination may attempt to pass the third examination two more times, for a total of three (3) attempts. A student who does not pass the third examination by the third attempt will not be allowed to attempt the piano proficiency at any time in the future, thus barring the earning of a degree in music from Sam Houston State University.
- Score Reading - at sight
Vocal- four-part open score choral
Instrumental- open score string quartet or open score wind/brass ensemble with transposing instruments - Sight Reading - at sight
one hymn - Harmonization - at sight
Harmonization and accompaniment of a given melody. Use secondary dominants and changing harmonic rhythm. Instructor's choice of accompaniment style: two handed root-chord, open-spaced broken chord, Alberti bass, keyboard style (melody in top of RH, chord in the bottom of RH, bass line in the L), etc. - Transposition - at sight
Four to six measures of chords & melody from original key to any other key- Instructor's choice. - Keyboard Theory & Improvisation - at sight
Both KT & IMP use the same progression generally an 8-bar progression using secondary dominants, borrowed chords, extended chords (9ths & 11ths), etc. KT requires playing progression in either chorale style(SA in RH, TB in LH) or keyboard style (SAT in RH, B in LH), instructor's choice. IMP requires playing a bass line and melody based on the given progression. - Repertoire-
prepared one piece by memory, hands together. The repertoire is selected by students from materials supplied by instructor. Repertoire is not worked on or played in class, but is prepared completely by the students. - Techniques-
all Major and Minor harmonic scales, hands together, 4 octaves up & down, in quarter notes, one quarter = one click, MM =120 a metronome will be used.