All music majors are required to pass a piano proficiency examination before graduation. The exam must be attempted by the end of the third year (second year for composition students) and completed satisfactorily by graduation.
PIANO PROFICIENCY EXAM OUTLINE
PART I – Technical Skills
A. Scales played one octave with hands together and with correct fingering at a steady tempo:
1. All major scales
2. All white minor scales (a,b,c,d,e,f and g) in three forms (natural, harmonic and melodic).
B. A complete cadence in all major and white minor keys in close position (Bass note in the left hand and a complete triad in the right hand). Omit the 5th of the triad in the V7 chord.
I – IV – I – V7 – I
C. Play all triads and inversions – hands separately.
PART II – Literature
A. Play one selection by memory from any composer of your choice approved by the piano faculty of the music department.
B. Harmonize a simple melody at sight with the three primary triads I, IV and V in the left hand and the melody in the right hand.
C. Sight read a simple, level-appropriate two-hand piece.
D. Transpose a single melody line at sight to at least two keys below the given tonality and two keys above the given tonality.