music theory test

[moog]

Some of you might know Im a music education major. Because of this, obviously I am required to have a certain quota of theory classes. I thought it would be smart to go ahead and knock out Theory III this summer (I took I and II last year) so I would have one more to finish in fall and im done. Only problem is, before I can get to Theory IV, im required to take some bullshit test that the music dean pulled out of his ass. I was waiting for my friend to come out after he took it and said they had about 30% of I-III material. So basically, Im pretty much fucked unless I get some extra knowledge into my head.

The test is pretty much half written and I think I can ace that (im pretty knoweldgeable in musical theoretics) but the other half, they give you an hour compose something in Sibelius based off a topic. I guess the point is to apply theory to the composition, which Im ok at but still am a bit rusty. All I have to do is get a 60% on each to pass.

So yeah, give me some tips (what kind of theory to apply, what types of styles you would reccommend, etc) to help. And please, none of that "I think you should add A KICK ASS BEAT". Maybe post samples of work or what not, idk. The test is in about 2 weeks and I have a good feeling they will recycle the same topic my friend had, which was synthetic sound comp.

Thanks alot guys!

Edit: Oh yeah, I go to the University of South Carolina but im transferring to Winthrop (where they DONT FUCKING REQUIRE IT) but USC requires all theory III students must take it =\

 

[Gilleece]

Well first of decide a mood for the topic, weather minor or major, stick to the theory and don't go over the top.

Pick a key and a time. Then pick a chordplan, basically you should be able to work of the chord plan fairly well, keep it simple, perhaps a piano piece [fairly standard, right hand holds melody while right hand plays bass notes, block chords etc]

Modulate at least once in the piece [I am assuming this will be a 20 or 30 bar piece so one or two modulations should be sufficient]

You should not have much trouble if you just stick to basic related keys, perhaps modulate to the minor etc.

You probably know alot more than myself but its no harm in trying to help, if you could be more specific about the test I may be able to help you out more.

Oh and best of luck in your exam mate.

 

[moog]

Thanks for the tips and support, Gilleece!

I know my description was rather vague, so ill update as I hear about it. All im definite on is the fact that it has to have 2 winds, 2 high brass, 1 low brass, 1 string (high or low), and "variated percussion" (which wont be a big deal because percussion is my niche) and they are grading by the use of theory within the project, then it is played back to one of the judges and they ask you to analyze your own piece then they do (which is fucking dumb imo because how the hell do they know how I want MY MUSIC to sound.)

My only main problem is trying to keep a counter melody going, I always tend to make sour chords when I do. Any tips?

 

[rexxzecutioner]

Your contrapuntal movement should always accentuate your main melody, and not distract from it. If you create your chord progression after your melody is written, then you will have neighboring tones already written out to work with for your counterpoint. I wouldn't use it in excess either because if you have too many clashing harmonies, I am positive your instructors will deduct points for that.

 

[moog]

I wouldn't use it in excess either because if you have too many clashing harmonies, I am positive your instructors will deduct points for that.

I agree, they probably will, but I tend not to make too many ridiculous harmonic sounds, so I dont think that will be much of a problem. They are supposed to tell us "indirectly" how they will grade (i.e. what they will take off for, I seriously and strongly doubt they would tell their grading scale) and the rest we are to already be aware of, which is just standard theoretics.

As for the neighboring tones, Ill practice writing something on Finale and see if that works better. Usually I just start a strong melody but when I try to digress from it the counter melody becomes more dynamic than the latter =\ and I hate when that happens. Thats just my folly, however. I need to stop doing that, but hey, practice makes perfect.

Thanks for the tips, rexxz.

 

[Gilleece]

For the low brass: Use a tuba, and have it playing mainly long pedal notes and perhaps playing 1 to 5, 1 to 5, etc...
Have a violin and a flute also, and play the melody between those, that is always as safe bet as melody sound great on those instruments and they are quite versatile.

From the instrumentation options you are given I believe a marching tune may be a good choice [think perhaps "Rufus Welcoming Ceremony" from FF7, Bass drum, snare and cymbal. The brass fit well into that and the woodwind also. As for the strings though, its a bit out of place in that scene but no reason why it could not be worked in. A harp may be a good choice for building dynamics and tension [the odd running arpeggio perhaps would suit.]

I don't know what way you are with composing, with me I would rather have a very vague idea going in and be creative on the spot but you would probably like to be prepared yeah?

 

[moog]

Well I wanted to breach the theme and sort of twist whatever I am assigned to do into a percussive piece and use the brass as accents and stuff, if you get what I mean. A marching tune would be a good choice, because the instrumentation is pretty solid for one.

The only main thing that pisses me off is the limit on what we can and cant write, given the instrumentation. We have only 60 bars to use, that is if we fill them up. We also cannot use articulation and dynamic signs, but the phrases (which actually isnt hard). We can use as much percussion as we need, which is retarted but decent, since the piano is grouped into that category but the harpsichord isnt.

 

[Gilleece]

I'm assuming piano is in percussion yeah? Harpsichord nearly should be too but people always argue either way.

No offence to where ever it is you study but that test seems like a load of bollocks really. You should be given more options than that in my opinion.

 

[moog]

No offence to where ever it is you study but that test seems like a load of bollocks really. You should be given more options than that in my opinion.

I EXTREMELY agree. The School of Music here is so freaking corrupt, they appease to the high class and everyone else pretty much gets educationally shunned. You can have alot of money and your acceptance will be based upon that. Its pretty much extortion as well since you have to pay for the test too and if you lack the funds, then you're fucked. I dont like the restrictions on my work, but hey, Ill have to make do. Its my dumb fault for not transferring sooner.

 

[Gilleece]

Thats really unfair, unfortunately alot of composing schools still stick to the old aristocratical ways, which is retarded as great music through out history generally never came from the higher ups, it came from the underdog who worked their ass off to get anywhere. My course is actually pretty decent, they picked me on my skills and notting else. They wanted no personal details about my backround atall, all they wanted to know was how good I was at music.

Does your course actually ask you for your financial backround? Or is it that they just figure it out indirectly, either way discrimination like that is illegal but the law force never seem to care what the people who are getting bad end of the stick say, they only listen to the higher ups anyway.

Sorry for that little rant, I'm sure you will do fine in the test though, you seem to know theory quite well. Best of luck.

 

[moog]

Meh, theres not much I can do about it. Im sitting 2nd chair of the Symphonic Band (highest band) and it took awhile to get there, so if I complain I get kicked out @.@

The course doesnt ask, they just see people who contribute to the SoM as the aristocratical and the rest as nobodies. Meh, either way I just ignore it. It sucks, but hey, what can I do?

As for the test goes, I got new info: We have to listen to a piece of music and analyze it. I havent done this since high school. Any tips on what to listen for? (Besides the obvious.)

 

[Gilleece]

If you know scales well then being able to pick out scales used is always impressive. [as in the particular scale]

Honestly in my current course as far as listening goes we don't really do anything other than the obvious so I cannot really help you out on that one, although I will be going through books for upcomming exams tonight so If I come across something that may help you then I will be sure to note it and post it here for you. :thumb:

 

[moog]

Cool. Im going to go back through my stuff too and post some practice work im doing. I really wish I didnt have to take this shit but its a requirement even for transients @.@

 

[Gilleece]

Guess you just have to face the music. [horrendous pun intened :P]

If you want I can give you feed back on your pratice pieces, I may not be the best for it but better than notting I guess.

 

[rexxzecutioner]

Yeah, post 'em here. I'll critique as well.

 

[moog]

Cool, well Ill post some stuff later, Ill ask my prof. for some good practice themes and such to work on, then ill come back and edit this with some music. :3

 

[moog]

http://bitroad.net/download/f493e689463 ... n.mp3.html

Ok, theres one that I would like to tweak a little (I wrote it awhile ago in a request) but I wrote it in about an hour using Finale '08. Anything related to theory (dynamic changes, differant harmony changes, etc) that I can do to improve? The theme is supposed to be piano based with some light percussion but I kind of overdid it.

I also wrote a percussive peice in about 45 min so ill post that later.

Thanks guys.

 

[rexxzecutioner]

"Download file avilable only in "Internet Explorer"



Not happening.

 

[moog]

"Download file avilable only in "Internet Explorer"



Not happening.

=\

Fuck, Ill thought it was Firefox compatible as well. Ill put it on Zshare.

 

[Gilleece]

Opera is what I'm on, but Zshare sounds good as it works with everything.