Music Theory Placement

All majors and minors in music are required to successfully complete the music theory sequence, which consists of MU 241, MP 197, and MU 242. MP 197, Keyboard Skills, is a co-requisite to MU 241. For students who need it, MU 141 is a pre-theory course offered to prepare students for success in MU 241.

Music majors must also complete an additional semester of music theory, MU 243.

What music theory class should I take ?

All students entering the music theory sequence must take a self-administered placement exam in order to determine the appropriate level of theory course. This placement exam must be completed before the first class session of MU 141, MU 241, MU 242, or MU 243.

Pre-registration: During pre-registration, students should use the following guidelines to predict which course will be appropriate for their skill level.

You will probably be placed into MU 141 if:

• -you do not read musical notation
• -you have little or no formal background in rudimentary music theory (key signatures, scales, intervals, chords, etc.)

If you believe that MU 141 is the best fit for you, enroll in the course and expect an email from the theory faculty regarding the placement exam.

You will probably be placed into MU 241 if:

• -you are an experienced performer and you read notated music in bass and treble clefs
• -you have reasonable working knowledge of rudimentary theory (notation, key signatures, scales, intervals, chords, etc.).

If you believe that MU 241 is the best fit for you, contact the faculty member listed below to request the placement exam during pre-registration.

Post-registration: Students who enroll in MU 141 will be required to complete the placement exam prior to the first MU 141 class session to confirm that they are placed into the appropriate level of required theory course.

Questions: Please contact Dr. Anjni Amin with questions about these courses or the placement exam.