Graduate Theory Practice Test
Music Theory Competencies
The student should review and possess fluency in these areas:
- Have complete mastery and fluency with all music rudiments
- Know the conventions of common practice voice leading and part writing rules
- Know how to recognize all cadence types
- Know the functional use of all diatonic and chromatic harmonies in the common practice
- Know how to recognize non-harmonic tones
- Be able to analyze a tonal work
- Know how to recognize phrase structures
- Be able to analyze simple and large-scale forms
- Have the ability to do melodic and harmonic dictation
- Have the ability to sing a modulating tonal melody at sight
Graduate Music Theory Practice Test and Examples
Study the Examples BEFORE taking the practice test. You may take the practice test as many times as you like.
- Examples. Print these out for study.
Textbooks
Roig-Francoli, Harmony in Context, McGraw Hill
Aldwell & Schachter, Harmony and Voice Leading, Wadsworth Publishing
Laitz, The Complete Musician, Oxford University Press
Recommended music theory websites
- This is probably the most comprehensive interactive music theory website available for free.
- Contains lessons, exercises (trainers), and a few extras. Free download available.
- This is a wonderful (though less interractive) music theory resource. Very comprehensive.