Piano Proficiency Exam Guide for Music Majors
The Piano Proficiency Exam is an opportunity for students with prior piano experience (incoming students, current students, and transfer students) to test out of the Keyboard Musicianship class sequence at Texas Woman’s University. Whether or not the Piano Proficiency Exam is attempted, ALL new students must take a Placement Exam for Keyboard. If either a Piano Placement Test or Piano Proficiency Test is not taken, all new students will automatically be place in Keyboard Musicianship I.
Contact Dr. Richard Shuster (rshuster@twu.edu) to schedule either a Piano Placement Exam or Piano Proficiency Exam.
- Piano Placement Exams require no preparation and is only an assessment to decide which Keyboard Musicianship class is appropriate for your skill level.
- Piano Proficiency Exams require preparation ahead of time; please use the guidelines and PDF examples linked below to prepare for the Piano Proficiency Exam.
Technique
AGPA (Alfred’s Group Piano for Adults), Book II
- • All major and harmonic minor scales and arpeggios in two octaves, hands either together or separate, correct fingering, and in a steady, consistent tempo. (pgs. 390-391)
- All major and minor triad inversions, hands separately with correct fingering. (pg. 26)
- Chord progressions in all major and minor keys, hands together with correct fingering.
- pg. 53, I-IV6/4-I-V6/5-I
- pg. 55, i-iv6/4-i-V6/5-i
Sing and Play
AGPA, Book II, pgs. 74, 112, 155, 238
- Sing the melody on “la”, solfege, or with lyrics if desired.
- Accompanying your singing with the implied two-hand accompaniment provided in the music on the given pages.
- You may use one of these excerpts or another excerpt of equal or greater difficulty.
Harmonization/Transposition
AGPA, Book II, pgs. 263, 201, 300, 310
- Play the melody with the right hand.
- Add an accompaniment pattern with the left hand.
- Read the instructions on the page, and choose appropriate harmonies based on the pop symbols or Roman numerals given.
- Prepare to play the Harmonization in both the original key and a transposed key of your choice.
- You may use one of these excerpts or another excerpt of equal or greater difficulty.
Sight Reading
- Read a given excerpt at sight. (Excerpts will be similar in difficulty to those listed above.)
- You may count out loud while you play.
- Given excerpts may be in minor or major keys.
Repertoire
- Prepare one solo piece of equal or greater difficulty compared to those listed above.
- Perform with accurate notes, rhythms, dynamics, and articulations.
- You may use the score in the exam; it is not necessary to play repertoire piece from memory.
Page last updated 3:20 PM, June 13, 2024