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Music Theory Proficiency Exam

Guidonian Hand Diagram

The UTC depart of Music requires all Music Majors to pass a Music Theory Proficiency Exam before enrolling in certain upper division courses. This exam is administered during Theory IV; Transfer students must take the exam before or during the first semester of study at UTC.

The Theory proficiency exam is comprehensive, covering:

  • Fundamentals (scales, key signatures, scale degree names, intervals, triads, rhythm and beaming);
  • more advanced harmonic practice (melody harmonization, embellishing tones, secondary dominants, secondary diminished chords, borrowed chords, Neopolitan chords, and augmented 6th chords);
  • Modes (dorian, phrygian, lydian, mixolydian);
  • Musical Form (phrase and periodic structures; definitions of Binary forms, ternary, and rondo forms; and analysis of a portion of a sonata-allegro form).

A thorough review of the above is strongly suggested for incoming transfer students. For help with reviewing, or to receive some PDF files of review materials, contact Dr. Jonathan McNair, Coordinator of Music Theory.