I passed my grade 8 music theory!

[stevel]

Originally Posted by Ballaw de Quincewold

How hard/complex can theory get? Does this test include things like counterpoint and fugue. In an effort to find something to compare it to, I ask this: Have you ever seen 2nd-year music majors theory tests or seen what is taught in class? I myself have done personal study and advanced myself beyond that level, but most music majors only go that far.

Oh, and congratulations!

Ballaw,

Our University level theory courses cover the following:
Basics (like naming notes, chords, keys, meter, rhythmic values, etc.)

Voice-Leading/Part-Writing
Harmonic Analysis, Figured Bass, and realization

As for those two above, you usually learn the basics in a Diatonic context, then:
Chromatic chords (secondary/applied dominants)
Modulation
Mode Mixture (borrowed chords)
Other Chromatic chords (non-secondary, like Ger+6, Neapolitan, etc.)
Enharmonic Reinterpretation/Modulation

You also typically learn basic forms: Phrases, Periods, Binary and Ternary form (in other words, you have to have a basic understanding of form so you can figure out where cadences are so you can figure out if a modulation had occurred, etc.)

Many university courses are specifically set to music of the CPP (Tonal Era) and the material on music past the 1850s deals with dealing with things that are "non-tonal" or expanding beyond the boundaries of what that analysis system was designed for. Usually, Wagner's Prelude to Tristan und Isolde is cited as a piece where traditionally functionality has broken down, and it needs to be approached in a manner which is not consistent with most of "tonal harmony". Same is true about Debussy, etc.

However, a lot of courses do include an introduction to the basic materials of non-tonal, or extended tonality pieces, discussing "large" or "tall" chords (9ths, 11ths, 13ths,) Altered chords (+, Alternate bass chords (like G7/Ab) and extensions (#11, etc.) Synthetic scales (Whole Tone, Diminished, #4b7) as well as other modes and "folk" resources (Modes, Pentatonic scales, etc.), quartal (secundal) harmony, etc. Usually such courses also include references to asymmetric meters and other things that happen alongside those extensions of tonality (I say that because a lot of these things happen in music that is largely tonal, or that is obviously descended in one way or another from tonality and thus are still relatively analyzeable using that system).

Most often include an introduction to Atonal music as well, especially 12-tone serialism.

So our 2nd year finals have analyses and partwriting of pieces that include basic chords through chromatic chords and enharmonic modulations, as well as writing/identifying some modes and filling in a 12-tone matrix, etc.

Luckily, we're now starting to see the "extended tonality" and atonality being taught as separate courses and getting their fair share, rather than just a cursory introduction crammed in the last few weeks of a 2 year course.

We have always taught Counterpoint as a separate course - so rather than "theory" one might see it as a specialized area of study. We also teach Form and Analysis. In both cases, one needs to have the basic 4 semester theory down before tackling these specialized versions.

Of course, there are also specialized styles with their own theory, which some basics are needed:

Jazz Theory.
Modal Counterpoint (16th Century)
Tonal Counterpoint (18th Century).
Contemporary (20th century art music)

Other courses might also be seen as "theory" but fairly specific - such as arranging and orchestration classes. We offer a Notation course, so is that "theory"? Composition courses - well, you need to know theory, but you might be developing your own, so, maybe.

But what "music majors" get isn't really all that great. Good for sying you've got a degree but most of them who don't continue after college, or who play professionally (or work in some other field that keeps them learning) forget everything they learned after a year or so.

Steve

[MaestroX]

How hard/complex can theory get? Does this test include things like counterpoint and fugue. In an effort to find something to compare it to, I ask this: Have you ever seen 2nd-year music majors theory tests or seen what is taught in class? I myself have done personal study and advanced myself beyond that level, but most music majors only go that far.

I afraid I can't compare it to any other test (or US equivalent) I would upload a test paper but I'm almost certain they're copyrighted. Generally the test involves figured base and counterpoint, harmony and stylistic harmony, melody writing, and score reading and anlaysis.

Thanks Steve for all the support I'll certainly be able to keep up my work with this place.

[Aron Alexandrine]

WOW! congrats!
I myself never studied for any of the grade exams i'm more of a free style studier. i study pieces randomly as i want, i never tried to study for the exam cause I'm kind of scared that it might be hard.
Congrats again!

[Majesty]

Congrats and Well Done!!!

I'm sure excited about the adventure that you will undertake in your studies.