Music Theory Placement Exam and Study Guide
Theory Placement Test
Students will take a Music Theory Placement Exam at the time of their entrance audition. The exam is given to determine placement regarding the appopriate theory class for the student’s level of knowledge. It is not considered when evaluating the student for entrance to the College of Musical Arts as a music major or minor. The written music theory test will cover music fundamentals, including note identification, basic clef reading and notation, scale and interval construction/recognition, and musical terms. A sample test is available in PDF format.
Here is a list of suggested music fundamentals textbooks to assist with preparation for the written theory test. These are just a few of the many textbooks that cover music fundamentals. Choose one that works best for you.
- Elements of Music by Joseph N. Straus. Published by Prentice Hall, 2003. ISBN 0-13-034341. To order call: (800) 223-1360
- Fundamentals of Music (second edition) by Earl Henry. Published by Prentice Hall, 1998. ISBN 0-13-061904-3 (with CD). ISBN 0-13-3372-88-X (text only). To order call: (800) 223-1360
- Musical Palette by Jamie Henke. Published by Atomic Dog, 2003. ISBN 1-59260-028-X. To order call online contact: www.atomicdogpublishing.com/
- Programmed Rudiments of Music (second edition) by Robert W. Ottman and Frank D. Mainous. Published by Prentice Hall, 1994. ISBN 0-13-138042-7. To order call: (800) 947-7700
- Scales, Intervals, Keys, Triads, Rhythm, and Meter by John Clough and Joyce Conley. Published by W.W. Norton & Co., 1983. ISBN 0-393-95189-8. To order call: (800) 233-4830
Suggested theory fundamental course Web sites:
- Introduction to Music Theory and Aural Skills by John Steffa (www.murraystate.edu/qacd/cfac/music/mus109entry.htm)
- Music Fundamentals by Michael Sult (www.guitarland.com/Music10/MusFund/toc.htm)
- MusicTheory.Net by Ricci Adams (www.musictheory.net)
- Teoría by José Rodríguez Alvira (www.teoria.com)