<p>I'm a senior in HS who applied to BU, NEC, MSM, Oberlin, IU, and ESM for vocal performance (mezzo-soprano). I was wondering about Music Theory. I have some background, but not a whole lot. Will it be extremely difficult next year? Is anyone else on the same boat?</p>
<p>My daughter is a Soph in Music at a conservatory. The Music Theory classes are divided into 5 levels based upon placement exams. The not so great musicians (who tend to be the Music Ed students) were in Level 1, and the Perfect Pitch kids were in Level 5. My daughter was Level 3, and was promoted to Level 4 in Soph year when the 5 levels were reduced to 4 (level 3 eliminated). The Level 4 curriculum was noticeably harder. What annoys her is that a “B” in Level 4 would be an “A” in Level 1 or 2.</p>
<p>The academics of Music Theory shouldn’t be that bad. Most kids don’t come in with a strong background in music theory. Where it could be difficult is with the Aural skills. If you are placed appropriately, it should be challenging. If you are not, it could be very difficult.</p>
<p>Note: Perfect pitch kids have a difficult time with transposition. For instance, if they see the note “C” on the staff, but hear the note “A” (transposed down), it confuses them to no end. I think being a relative pitch kid is much more valuable than perfect pitch (at least for music theory).</p>
<p>I know exactly what you mean. Having perfect pitch is not so great after all… My computer hums a B, my microwave beeps at a C#, and my alarm goes off on an F!!! Sometimes I wish I was just a relative pitch kid…:(</p>
<p>At DD’s school, all students are put the same class unless they can pass a really hard exam. DD has found it hard but manageable to keep up. Different schools manage it differently do you need to ask if it is important. .</p>
<p>MusicForAWhile,</p>
<p>Allow me to beguile at least some of your cares…</p>
<p>If you have had a music theory class in high school and/or a couple of years of piano lessons, chances are that you will be just fine. Some students breeze through music theory in college and some struggle with it a bit, but most manage to get through it.</p>
<p>If you know next to nothing about theory and have never had a piano lesson, the summer between high school and college presents an excellent opportunity to address those deficiencies in your musical education. Once you know what college you will attend, find out whether they use a specific textbook for their music theory classes. If so, obtain it and start reading ahead over the summer. If not, perhaps they will be able to suggest some online resources that are compatible with their methods of teaching theory. At least the first couple of semesters worth of theory is pretty straightforward material that you should be able to teach yourself with a bit of effort.</p>
<p>You will also be taking some keyboard classes as a voice major. It can be really helpful to get a head start on those if you have never taken piano lessons. Even a couple months worth of lessons over the summer can give you a great head start and help make life a little easier in your first year of college.</p>
<p>Thanks, BassDad. I have studied the piano quite seriously up until last year. I will definitely be sure to buy the textbook my college uses. Thanks again.</p>
<p>In general, piano students do very well in music theory. You will be much more prepared than those students who play instruments only in treble clef. I don’t think you have anything to worry about. Sing on, sing on.</p>
<p>DD had no piano and no theory before going for VP. It was hard but not impossible. She has been able to maintain her grades, but not always an A. Others have helped her. She has friends that have studied theory more and one who is in the composition major. She is self conscious about holding the class back if she does not understand so she visits the professor when she feels a little behind everyone else. It would have been easier if she had had piano or theory before, but it has not held her back.</p>
<p>On a separate note: best of luck to you regarding admissions to those schools!</p>
<p>I think some depends on the teacher…not just the background of the students. BUT I have to say that DS reported that his music theory teachers were all really good…sequential and well organized. He had studied piano for five years prior to college and told us that he often “pictured” that piano keyboard when dealing with music theory. Plus he had extensive practice doing transposition as his primary instrument often required this.</p>
<p>You won’t be the only music major who hasn’t had extensive music theory background before college. AND I have to say…in our son’s experience… some music ed majors were stronger in music theory, and performance majors who had concentrated on their playing only were the ones in that theory ONE class. </p>
<p>Don’t fret…you’ll be fine.</p>
<p>We were such clueless noobies we had no idea theory was a “requirement”. When we saw the testing requirements, our jaws dropped.</p>
<p>Son said not to worry.</p>
<p>He had self taught himself theory and keyboard (and has perfect pitch to boot). His recreational reading always consisted of studying full orchestral scores. I guess he was well prepared. He breezed through his undergrad theory courses and was the “go to guy” for all questions and help.</p>
<p>Anything you can do to get a leg up will be a plus.</p>
<p>This link may prove useful <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/145947-has-anybody-taken-ap-music-theory.html?highlight=high+school[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/145947-has-anybody-taken-ap-music-theory.html?highlight=high+school</a></p>
<p>In that case, once you have chosen a school find out what they make you play to test out of keyboard classes. Practice those things over the summer, particularly getting the scales and arpeggios up to speed with the right fingerings.</p>
<p>I’m in AP Music Theory this year at my school, and it seems to be giving me quite an advantage, at least from a sight singing/auditioning standpoint.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Although it is good training, many of the better conservatories do not accept AP Music Theory for Conservatory students. Think of it as good prep. From what I hear, there is a world of difference at the conservatory level. Worst case, it gets you placed into a group with higher performing kids.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Music Theory is a requirement for all conservatory graduates. The testing during auditions or orientation is mainly for placement, not competence.</p>
<p>Duquesne had a theory exam at the audition and there was a cut off for acceptance. DS was told that if he didn’t meet that, he would be given one additional opportunity to retake that portion of the “audition” (assuming he did well enough at the playing part). SO…there are some schools that do have this as an admission thing. HOWEVER…I will say…DS said the theory exam was not very difficult at Duquesne from his point of view.</p>
<p>I’m a bit surprised to see that all the previous posts make it appear that theory shouldn’t be difficult for “good” musicians. (If I’ve misread anyone’s intended message, mea culpa!) </p>
<p>In my 30 - 40 years of experience - personal, students, and my own children - classroom theory experiences are “all over the map” - even for the finest of musicians and sharpest of kids. In fact, I could name New York String Seminar participants, conservatory concerto competition winners and Aspen Fellows who have failed or “fallen behind” their peers in their theory sequences.</p>
<p>For anyone out there struggling, many others feel the same! A couple other observations:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Theory department expectations and levels of difficulty vary widely between schools and conservatories. For example, Mannes considers its musicianship (theory) classes to be intregal to the Mannes education - and the material is far from easy for most. I’m told by students that IU and Eastman also have tougher expectaions than some other schools. If theory is a concern as you’re chosing a school, the best thing to do is talk with students at the school being considered to find out the specific expectations. </p></li>
<li><p>Theory depts vary in the level of tutoring and extra help available. Some depts. use TA’s extensively - Eastman, Northwestern, etc - that can be wonderful or dreadful depedning on the TA’s ability. Other schools offer readily available remedial tutoring - CIM. Some profs are more helpful or simply better teachers than others. The key is to figure out quickly when extra help is needed and get right on it!</p></li>
<li><p>If theory is a worry when selecting a school, I would specifically ask about the percentage of theory students who fail 1st semester or 1st year. Some theory depts. definitely have higher failure rates than others.</p></li>
</ol>