Piano Proficiency Requirements for Secondary Piano

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If you are planning to take the Piano Proficiency Exam the next time it is offered, you MUST fill out the permission form available from your instructor and bring it with you to the Proficiency Jury Exam.

Here are the specific requirements for the Piano Secondary Proficiency:

Part ONE (with your instructor):

1. Play all major and harmonic minor scales up and down 2 octaves with correct fingering and in a steady tempo. Play melodic minor scales in these keys (Group II): cm, dm, em, gm, am

2. Establish keys. Play Cadence #1 (1-IV-I-V7-I) in all major and minor keys.

3. Play root position triads on any give note: major, minor, augmented, diminished.

4. Play your own simple arrangement of 'Happy Birthday'.

5. Sight read a simple piece.

Part TWO (in the Proficiency Jury):

6. Memorize 2 repertory pieces, but play just ONE for the exam (to be selected by the jurors).

7. Harmonize a given melody using primary chords and secondary dominants.

8. Transpose one line (part) of a simple piece up/down a half/whole step.

9. Improvise a melody and simple accompaniment over a given chord progression.

10. Play a chorale (hymn) or patriotic song using the music.

The Proficiency Exam for Piano Secondaries will be in two parts:

PART 1 will be administered by your instructor in a final exam opportunity.

PART 2 will be a scheduled exam (much like a jury) -- you sign up for a time and play parts of the exam for several faculty. This part of the Prof. Exam is always scheduled for FRIDAY of EXAM WEEK beginning about 8:30 a.m. Check with your instructor if you have questions about the date, time, etc.

See Proficiency Exam Details.

Download a Sample Packet