Piano Proficiency Placement Evaluation and Piano Proficiency Exam
Contact Dr. Richard Shuster (rshuster@twu.edu) to schedule a Piano Proficiency Placement Evaluation or Piano Placement Exam.
Piano Proficiency Placement Evaluation
The Piano Proficiency Placement Evaluation is available to incoming, current, and transfer students with some background in piano studies who wish to test out of Keyboard Musicianship I and/or II. No preparation is required for this assessment.
Piano Proficiency Exam
The Piano Proficiency Exam is available to incoming, current, and transfer students who have completed the class piano sequence (or equivalent) at another school. Preparation for this exam is encouraged; students may use the guidelines and examples provided to prepare.
Piano Proficiency Exam Study Guide
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 4:03 PM, July 2, 2025