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In addition, there are many useful websites that provide free instruction and drill on aspects of music fundamentals. Students can develop their skills with tutorials and drills at the following recommended sites:
Valparaiso University’s music department introduces music theory early in the curriculum, and students will already need to be fluent in basic music rudiments before being allowed to enroll in MUS 163, Music Theory I.
Incoming students should already be able to:
- Read and write pitch notation fluently in treble and bass clefs,
- Understand the use of meter signatures and read basic rhythmic notation,
- Locate specific notes on a keyboard and know the difference between half steps and whole steps both on the keyboard and in notation, and
- Identify and write key signatures for the major keys.
Many high school musicians already have complete mastery of these rudiments. Others may not have had an opportunity yet to focus on this information. Students will be given a placement exam during their auditions and may take a diagnostic re-test in the fall if necessary. Attaining these skills is required to register for MUS 163 and for students to go on to succeed in the core theory sequence.
For students who require extra skills-based instruction in music rudiments, MUS 102, Fundamentals of Music may be taken concurrently with MUS 163, Music Theory I. Topics in this course include fundamentals of note-reading, rhythmic notation, scales, melody, and intervals.