<p>So I just added violin as another major and that means I'll have to take music classes now... Anyone know what the piano placement test is like? I thought all you'd have to do is be able to play a piece or something, but according to the syllabus, you have to know detailed stuff about triads, scales, etc... Seems like it's testing more on theory rather than if you can actually play the piano.</p>
<p>I e-mailed someone asking what the format of the test would be but he's out of office until July 6th. And the test is on the 20th...</p>
<p>Really need help knowing what to practice here! Anyone got any experience on this?</p>
<p>I did my piano placement on audition day.
My piano teacher called beforehand to see what they would test. The lady said to know your scales, be able to transpose, sight-read, and not to sweat it. I brought one of the pieces I was working on because it said on the website that it wasn’t required, but you could play a prepared piece for them if you wished. And they required it in prior years so I didn’t think it would hurt.
I walk in with my piece, and I think the guy knew I could, in the least, play. He put one-page sight-reading materials in front of me, taking it away and putting a harder one each time. After about 5 sight-reading pages, he asked me to play my piece. I played a bit and he said good, and I left. I didn’t play scales, transpose…
I thought I did pretty well. I know some kids went in there with no skills at all and walked out after a few seconds. Mine lasted about 4-5 minutes. But, I still don’t know how I did, so…</p>
<p>May I ask what kinds of music majors need to take music lessons and need the piano placement exam? does that apply for music ed majors (with piano emphasis) who have already sent their tapes (piano and voice) for admission?</p>
<p>Thanks shinster!
The thing I’m kind of confused about is that I got the syllabus of Piano 112 from my counselor and it had all this detailed theory stuff on it. The person I e-mailed said that I had to know everything on the list, which is rather long and difficult…
What webpage did you find the requirements on? The only thing I found was the page telling what days the test would be on.</p>
<p>@sooldmoon: From the orientation powerpoint:
“All incoming music students need to take a piano placement test!”
But I also remember reading somewhere else that piano majors don’t need to, which makes sense.</p>
<p>@Aya: Hm, I can’t find the webpage, but this is from the powerpoint they sent regarding orientation:
“Placement exams cover sight reading, harmonization and transposition, scales and arpeggios and chord progressions. You do not have to play a solo piece to satisfy the requirement for a placement test. (Voice B applicants who took a Placement test on their Audition Day were required to play a classical solo–but for Placement tests after you have become a student in the program solos are not required)”</p>
<p>Hm, okay. I count as an incoming student, right? I’m going to be a sophomore, so I guess technically I’ve already been through orientation. But I didn’t add music until this summer. I wonder if it’s the same piano test for me.</p>
<p>Hm, I’m not sure what happens when you come in as a transfer… Might want to ask them directly.
And, I would imagine if you have music as your major, you have to take the placement exam unless you’re a piano major.
Anyway, I came back from orientation and I passed out of piano completely. I’m sure you’ll be fine.</p>
<p>I played Un Sospiro by Liszt. He had me play a minute or two. Didn’t even get to the ridiculous part.</p>
<p>To prepare, I just practiced the Liszt a lot. It has scales, chords, arpeggios in it so I felt like I was hitting two birds with one stone. Honestly, I think that when he saw that I brought a prepared piece, he had me jump straight to sight-reading, skipping all the scales, triads, etc.</p>
<p>Aaya, I am completely confused as to how you could possibly have “added” violin as a major. Maybe it’s the way you’re phrasing it, which made it sound like you just arbitrarily decided to add a music major and sign up for a studio, which you can’t do.</p>
<p>Do you mean that you are taking a BMUS with another degree, and in fact are DUAL degree-ing now? You cannot ‘major’ in violin performance unless you are taking a BMUS (or it is your principal instrument in music ed) right?</p>
<p>If you’re talking about the School of Music music degrees, you have to audition in, and will receive an music orientation, during which time you do have to take the piano proficiency exam. You should sign up for music orientation no matter what – as you will need help with your scheduling if you’re studying a dual degree.</p>
<p>If this is the case, yes, you need to know all the basics of 112 to place out of it. If you do not place out of it, you will be required to take keyboard/piano theory in order to graduate from any BMUS degree program.</p>
<p>If you can confirm what degree you are pursuing and that you’re talking about the school of music degrees via audition (as opposed to the liberal arts LSA variant of music) than perhaps we can give you better advice.</p>
<p>Aaya, thanks for clearing that up. May I suggest that you schedule a meeting with Dee Dee Ulintz, the registrar of the School of Music. She has been awesomely helpful to my son, and may be able to hook you up with an SOM adviser, which you will want, because the required credits for each degree can require a bit of juggling.
Congrats and good luck!</p>