B.Mus. Keyboard Requirement

The Bachelor of Music degree has a two-credit keyboard skills requirement that may be fulfilled by taking classes chosen from MUSC 100, 136, 200 (with the approval of the Director of Undergraduate Studies), and 236. In most cases, B.Mus. majors with no prior keyboard experience will enroll in MUSC 136 and MUSC 236.

A student may place out of half or all of the requirements by passing half or all of a Keyboard Skills Placement/Exemption Test. The tests are scheduled individually and will take place on January 9, 2024, in Kenan Music Building, Room 2103, for Spring 2024. Please contact Professor Tedie Robie (teddyrobie@gmail.com) with any questions. To schedule an exam time, click here.

MUSC 136 — Keyboard Skills I (Fall)

For music majors with limited piano training who need to fulfill the piano skills requirement. Students may place out of this requirement through examination (see below). To sign up for an exam time, click here.

MUSC 236 — Keyboard Skills II (Spring)

For music majors who have taken MUSC 136 and want to continue their piano training. Students may place out of this requirement through examination. To sign up for an exam time, click here.

Sample Keyboard Skills Test

Level I (MUSC 136)

1. Prepare to play the following major scales, two hands together, two octaves ascending and descending (C, G, D, A, and E)
2. Prepare to play the following major scales, one hand at a time, two octaves ascending and descending (B, F)
3. Prepare to play the following arpeggios, one hand at a time, two octaves ascending and descending (C, G, D, A, E, B, and F)
4. Prepare to play a I–IV–I–V7–I chord progression with keyboard voicing (C, G, D, A, E, B, and F)
5. Be prepared to transpose a simple melody (provided at the exam) to major keys up to 3 sharps and flats.
6. Sight reading will be provided at the exam.  Here is a sample:

Level II (MUSC 236)

1. Prepare to play the following minor scales in natural, harmonic, and melodic minor, two hands together, two octaves ascending and descending (A, E, D, G, C, B, F, F#, C#, G#, B-flat, and E-flat).
2. Prepare to play the following major scales, one hand at a time, two octaves ascending and descending (B-flat, E-flat, and A-flat).
3. Prepare to play the following minor arpeggios, one hand at a time, two octaves ascending and descending (A, E, D, G, C, B, F, F#, C#, G#, B-flat, and E-flat).
4. Prepare to play a i-iv-i-V7-I chord progression with keyboard voicing in any minor key
5. Prepare to play a I–vi–IV–ii6–I6/4–V7–I chord progression with keyboard voicing any major key.
6. Prepare to transpose several measures of a simple melody and accompaniment (provided at the exam) to any key
7. Sight reading will be provided at the exam.  Here is a sample: