Keyboard Skills Test-out Requirements
Students eligible to bypass the fundamentals keyboard requirement will need to have a solid
foundation in piano skills in addition to a strong understanding of music theory. Evaluations will
be done individually and all scale and chord selections will be chosen at random during the
exam. All components of this exam should be prepared in advance! Please do not sign up to take
the test if you do not intent to practice your scales/chords or prepare the melodic harmonization.
Prepare the following:
1. All 12 major scales, one octave, hands together - both ascending and descending using
correct fingering.
2. All white-key minor scales in any form (natural, harmonic, and melodic minor scales), one
octave hands together - both ascending and descending using correct fingering.
3. Any of the four possible qualities of a given triad in all inversion (for example, play an
A-flat augmented triad in first inversion).
4. Any of the five possible qualities of seventh chords in all inversions (for example, play a
G minor 7th chord in third inversion)
5. You will be asked to play a short sight-reading excerpt.
6. Harmonize both of the melodies on the next page labeled “Melodies for Harmonization”
using the primary triads.
1. Label the chords with the appropriate Roman numerals in the spaces provided,
selecting from the I, IV, and V (or V7).
2. Please be sure to use voicings that will minimize excessive left hand movement
(for example I-V6-I), however, it is unnecessary to label the inversion symbol despite
the inversion you choose.
3. Be prepared to perform your harmonization hands together (RH playing the
given melody, LH plays the harmony/chords).
Keyboard Skills Test-out Requirements
Melodies for Harmonization
#1)
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#2)
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