The San Francisco State University lower division music program contains a four-semester sequence of written and analytical theory (Music 231, 232, 233, 420) and a three-semester sequence of ear training and musicianship (Music 221,222,223). Students are required to take, in succession, 221 with 231, 222 with 232, and 223 with 233 (unless otherwise advised after the placement exam). Successful completion of the courses detailed below, or the demonstrated equivalent, satisfies the lower-division requirements in theory.

Prerequisites: Knowledge of scales, key signatures, intervals, triads, ability to read treble and bass clefs. Concurrent enrollment required in MUS 221 and Class Piano. A study of contrapuntal form and procedures through written exercises, analysis, and composition in two to four parts based upon representative examples from the literature.

Prerequisites: MUS 231. Concurrent enrollment required in MUS 222 and Class Piano. A study of common practice harmonic and formal procedures through written exercises, analysis, and composition, including triads, inversions, cadences, seventh chords, binary, ternary, and rondo forms based upon representative examples from the literature.

Prerequisites: MUS 232. Concurrent enrollment required in MUS 223 and Class Piano. Continuation of harmonic/formal studies of procedures found in chromatic music through written exercises, analysis, and composition, including secondary dominants, modulation, altered chords, theme and variations, and sonata forms based upon examples from the literature.

Prerequisites: MUS 233. Analysis of compositional procedures and musical structures through studies in aural perception, historical perspective, score reading, and composition. Emphasis on 20th-century western concert music with parallel review of musical genres from nonwestern styles and cultures.

Prerequisites: knowledge of written scales, key signatures, rhythms, intervals, and triads; ability to sing scales. Concurrent enrollment advised in MUS 231 and Class Piano. Ear training and sight singing. Melodic, rhythmic, and harmonic dictation. Laboratory, involving individual and group instruction and participation.

Prerequisite: MUS 221 or equivalent. Concurrent enrollment advised in MUS 232 and Class Piano. Continuation of MUS 221.

Prerequisite: MUS 222 or equivalent. Concurrent enrollment advised in MUS 233 and Class Piano. Continuation of MUS 222.

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All music students, except those who are performance majors in piano or music education students with piano in the performance area must take an examination for placement in class piano. There are a total of five levels, but not all emphases require all five levels, so please check the requirements for your emphasis for the level of attainment you must complete. For your entrance audition, which will determine your first class piano placement, you will be asked to demonstrate your abilities in the following areas:

1. Scales: major and harmonic minor, ascending and descending, two octaves hands together with the correct fingering.

2. Sight-reading.

3. Knowledge of the Roman numeral chord symbols. A melody will be provided with the chord symbols and students will be asked to play the melody with the right hand and chords with the left hand. Based on how well students do this, they may be asked to break the chords into accompaniment patterns and transpose the melody and chords into other keys.