Class Piano

Proficiency Test for PCL 103


This proficiency test covers all material from the general syllabus for PCL 103, and includes, but is not limited to, Chapters 1—4 of Keyboard Musicianship, Book 2, 11th Edition, by Lyke, Caramia, Haydon and Chioldi; (Stipes Publishing Co., ©2020).  Students who wish to take this proficiency must have a copy of the text—absolutely no duplicated material will be allowed.  See Professor Caramia for a copy, if you don’t have the 11th edition.

Note: all playing—from scales to fundamental skills to repertoire—must be at a high musical level, with attention to proper pedaling, steady rhythm, and a sensitivity to tonal color.

When you are ready to take this test, contact Professor Caramia (room 410; tcaramia@esm.rochester.edu)

NOTE:  EVERYTHING listed below must be performed in order to pass this proficiency test.

1) Technique: (fingerings; also in text on pp 343-354, bottom)

  • all black key major scales, hands together at a steady tempo, 2 octaves
  • all corresponding major triad arpeggios, hands together at a steady tempo,
    2 octaves
  • all corresponding dominant 7th arpeggios (starting on Dominant scale degree), hands together at a steady tempo, 2 octaves
  • all corresponding diminished 7th arpeggios (starting on leading tone), hands together at a steady tempo, 2 octaves
  • chromatic scales, hands together, 1 octave

2) Fundamental Skills: demonstrate the following skills

  • transpose:  any 3 from #1-10, pp. 131-135
  • harmonization::  
       prepare any 2 songs from pp. 127-129, using Dominant 9ths and added 6ths, keyboard style
       prepare p.130, with appropriate jazz voicings, keyboard style
  • play either accompaniment on pp.138-141
  • chord progressions (all to be done with the sustaining pedal):
       p.39:  #1-2, in C and in one other major key (from memory)
       p.82:  bottom, in C and in one other major key (from memory)

3) Repertoire:

  • 4 pieces from Keyboard Musicianship, Book 2 (11th edition)
       select 1 piece each from the Repertoire sections in Chapters 1, 2, 3 and 4
  • select 1 other solo or duet piece not included in Keyboard Musicianship (Book 2), from composers       such as Bach, Beethoven, Clementi, Haydn, Schubert, Mozart, Schumann, Kabalevsky, Bartok

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