August 17 at 8:00 am, a diagnostic exam will be administered to measure your readiness for Music Theory I and Ear Training I. We use the results to place students in appropriate classes and provide the appropriate instruction for those who need to take a remedial class, as well as help students avoid dropping the classes (Theory and Ear Training) in the middle of the semester or failing them altogether. For the professor, it serves as an assessment to gauge what knowledge students bring to the classes. DO NOT PANIC! IT IS EASIER THAN YOU THINK!

WHERE TO TAKE THE EXAM:
On our first day of class, MU 1213 sections 1 and 2 will meet at the New Music Building. 

WHAT TO BRING:
There is no need to bring anything but a pencil and an eraser for the first day of class. Please do not purchase any textbook (Theory I and Ear Training I) until you learn your exam results.

WHAT TO EXPECT ON THE DIAGNOSTIC EXAM: 
Beginning music majors and minors at any university should be able to:
• Identify note names on the treble clef, and to a lesser extent, on the bass clef (10 of 30 points = 33.33%)
• Recognize the names of major key signatures (4 of 30 points = 13.33%)
• Identify common musical symbols like dynamic symbols, accents, ties, duration names, etc.(10 of 30 points = 13.33%)
• Demonstrate a grasp of rhythm and meter/time signature by completing measures with notes or rests (12 of 30 points = 13.33%)
• Distinguish half-steps from whole-steps using sharps and flats as well as natural signs on the staff (6 of 30 points = 13.33%)

On the test you’ll find:
• Six notes on the treble clef and four on the bass clef to be identified by supplying letter names
• Four key signatures (ex.: D major, B♭ major) to identify from 5 multiple-choice options
• Four musical notation symbols to identify by name from 5 multiple-choice options
• Four measures requiring completion by supplying single note value (5 possibilities listed, simple time signature only)
• Four measures requiring completion by supplying single rest value (5 possibilities listed, simple time signature only)
• Four half- and whole-steps to distinguish on treble clef (B-C and C-D given as treble clef examples)

HOW TO PREPARE FOR THE EXAM: To get ready for the exam you can go to: https://youtu.be/SExzvBNQMJ8
eMusicTheory. http://www.emusictheory.com
teoria. http://www.teoria.com
The Tonal Centre. http://www.tonalcentre.org
Music Theory Online. musictheory.net
Minute Music Lesson. youtube.com/user/oneminutemusiclesson

TREBLE CLEF:
Video. How to Read Music - Lesson 2 - Treble Clef (with FREE DOWNLOAD)
Instructions. http://www.musictheory.net/lessons/10
Practice. www.musictheory.net/exercises/note/bbzyryyynyy

BASS CLEF:
Video. How to Read Music - Lesson 3 - Bass Clef (with FREE DOWNLOAD)
Instructions. http://www.musictheory.net/lessons/10
Practice. www.musictheory.net/exercises/note/nbzyryyynyy

LEDGER LINES:
Video. How to Read Music - Lesson 7 - Ledger Lines

ENHARMONIC SPELLING:
Video. How to Read Music - Lesson 5 - Enharmonics (Flats and Sharps)

KEY SIGNATURES FOR MAJOR KEYS:
Video. Understanding Music Theory - Lesson 25 - Major Scales
Instructions. http://www.musictheory.net/lessons/21
Practice. www.musictheory.net/exercises/keysig/d999yyb

KEY SIGNATURES FOR MINOR KEYS:
Video. Understanding Music Theory - Lesson 26 - Minor Scales
Instructions. http://www.musictheory.net/lessons/22
Practice. www.musictheory.net/exercises/keysig/d999byb

HALF STEPS VS WHOLE STEPS:
Video. [1-3] Half Steps and Whole Steps
Instructions. http://www.musictheory.net/lessons/20

INTERVALS:
Video. How to Read Music - Lesson 21 - Specific Intervals (with free download)
Practice. www.musictheory.net/exercises/interval/drwyry99999nny

RHYTHMS:
Notation Basics. How to Read Music - Lesson 10 - The Note (with free download))
Rhythmic Values. How to Read Music - Lesson 9 - Rhythmic Values (with free download)
Time Signatures. How to Read Music - Lesson 14 - Time Signatures

SIMPLE METERS (TIME SIGNATURES):
Video. How to Read Music - Lesson 15 - Simple Meter
How to Count. How to Read Music - Lesson 17 - Eastman Counting System Simple Meters

Feel free to contact Dr. Sebba, rys3@colled.msstate.edu, if you have any question about the class, diagnostic exam, curriculum, etc. I look forward to meeting you!