Keyboard Study for Music Majors

(“Keyboard Skills”)

Effective Spring 2004

(Last updated 05.25.06)

 

All music majors, with the exception of piano majors, at TCNJ are required to complete two levels of keyboard study, Keyboard Skills I and II, and successfully pass the Keyboard Proficiency Exam during the course of their academic work.  Successful completion of these requirements is mandatory before application for student teaching may be made, so it is extremely important that you plan accordingly.

The standard sequence is to take Keyboard Skills I and II during the second and third semesters of your study.  At the conclusion of Keyboard Skills II, the student will take the Keyboard Proficiency Exam, which will be counted as the final exam for the course.

Students who have prior experience at the keyboard may take a placement audition to gain advanced standing.  The Advanced Placement Audition is given during the Orientation Week in summer for those entering in the fall and in January for those who are entering in the spring. Students will be given only one chance to take the placement audition, which is administered upon entrance into the program. A re-examination is not available at other points in the program of study.

Who Should Take the Advanced Placement Audition?

Those students who have had a substantial background both in piano and music theory may attempt the placement audition, which could advance them into Keyboard Skills II or which might give them the option of testing out of both of the courses. These students may still have to take the Keyboard Proficiency Exam during one of the regular testing periods.

If a student has had less than one year of piano study, they should simply register for Keyboard Skills I.  The keyboard study at TCNJ is very intense, so it is highly recommended that one be enrolled in this first level even if you have had one semester of study at another institution.  If a student has had more than one year of piano study, but has had no substantial study in music theory (see below for the requirement), it is still recommended that s/he register for Keyboard Skills I.  Please note that placement in these courses depends more on your knowledge of Keyboard Harmony and far less on piano repertoire study.  One does NOT need to take the Placement Audition in order to register for Keyboard Skills I.

Preparation For Those Who Have Had No Previous Keyboard Training

Those who have no previous keyboard experience are encouraged to get started before the school year.  The required textbook for the courses is Alfred’s Group Piano for Adults (Book 1, Second Edition, ISBN  0-7390-3526-6 for Keyboard Skills I and Book 2, ISBN 0-88284-700-7 for Keyboard Skills II) from Alfred Publishing Co., Inc. 

Testing Areas for Those Who Wish to Test Out of Keyboard Skills I and/or II

The Advanced Placement Audition consists of demonstrated knowledge and proficiency in the following areas:

 

To be exempted from Keyboard Skills I, one must demonstrate the following: 

1. Scales

            All Major Scales 2 octaves hands together with appropriate fingerings.

            All Harmonic Minor Scales 2 octaves hands together with appropriate fingerings.

2. Cadence Pattern

            All Major Cadence Pattern (I-IV-I-V-I) in root position with appropriate fingerings.

            All Minor Cadence Pattern (i-iv-i-v-i) in root position with appropriate fingerings.

3. One Solo Piece

A prepared piece equivalent to J. S. Bach Anna Magdalena Notebook or Burgmüller Op. 100 (of any); memorization is not required. 

4. Harmonization

Harmonize the given melody with using I, ii, IV, V, and/or vi and the inversions.            

(Play the melody in RH with the LH block chord accompaniment.)

 

*The excerpt may have the indication by roman numerals or letter symbols, or without any indications.

5. Transposition

            Transpose the Harmonization excerpt up/down a step.

6. Sight Reading

            Sight read a piece that uses intervals up to (and including) an octave and chordal patterns.

To be exempted from Keyboard Skills II, one must demonstrate the following:

1. Scales

            All Major Scales 2 octaves hands together with appropriate fingerings.

            All Natural, Harmonic, and Melodic Minor Scales 2 octaves hands together with appropriate fingerings.

2. Cadence Pattern      

All Major Cadence Pattern (I-IV-I-V-I) in root position, 1st and 2nd inversions with appropriate fingerings.

All Minor Cadence Pattern (i-iv-i-v-i) in root position, 1st and 2nd inversions with appropriate fingerings.

3. Two Solo Pieces

            Two prepared pieces in contrasting styles.

(The level of the pieces is to be equivalent to Beethoven Sonata Op. 49 or J. S. Bach Two Part Inventions); memorization is not required.

4. SATB Chorale Score

            Sight read a Chorale Score (in 4 voices).

5. Instrumental Score Reading

            Sight read a two-voice instrumental score with one transposed instrument.

6. Harmonization

            Harmonize the given melody with using I, ii, IV, V, and/or vi and the inversions.            

            In addition to the above, at least one secondary dominant chord has to be included.

(Play the melody in RH with the LH in an accompaniment pattern of your choice except the block chord style.)

            *The excerpt may have the indication by roman numerals or letter symbols, or   without any indications.

7. Transposition

            Transpose the Harmonization excerpt up/down a step.

8. Sight Reading/Accompanying

            Sight read a piece, while the examiner plays another part.

Questions/Concerns

E-mail kanamaru@tcnj.edu with the subject line “Keyboard Skills Placement.”