[For Prospective Students]

Preparing for Courses in Music Theory

All freshman music majors are required to enroll for MUS 115 Theory I in their first semester. The theory faculty recommend that students acquire at least the basic musical skills listed below before entering MUS 115.

1. Using treble and bass clefs, be able to read and write notes on the staff.

2. Be able to quickly identify and write signatures for all major and minor keys. Know the relative and parallel minor of each major key; know the relative and parallel major of each minor key.

3. Be able to quickly identify and write all major and minor (natural, harmonic and melodic) scales.

4. Be able to write and identify major, minor, perfect, augmented, and diminished intervals. Know the inversion of any interval.

5. Be able to write, clap, and count simple rhythm patterns.

6. Be able to sing major scales using letter names or scale-degree numbers.

7. For students who have experience in sight singing and ear training, practice singing and dictating simple diatonic melodies. Practice singing major and minor scales in all keys.

Information regarding note reading, key signatures, scales, and intervals can be found in most theory texts. If you plan to study a theory text to acquire skills beyond those listed above, we recommend Harmony and Voice Leading, 2d ed. (New York: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, Inc. 1978) by Edward AldweIl and Carl Schachter.