Guitar Department Exam Levels1-8 Proficiency BERKLEE

(09/17/03)

Level I and Level II Scales 1. Major 2. Chromatic Triads 3. Chords 4. Arpeggios Four-Part 5. Chords 6. Arpeggios Performance 7. Performance 8. Reading

Scales 1. Melodic Minor 2. Whole-tone Triads 3. Chords 4. Arpeggios 4-Part 5. Chords 6. Arpeggios Performance 7. Performance 8. Reading

Level I Keys: C, F, Bb, Eb, G, D, A Two octaves from any degree or mode (min. tempo: sixteenth notes at =60). Two octaves from tonic (min. tempo: sixteenth notes at =60). Roots: C, F, Bb, Eb, G, D, A Maj, Min, Aug, Dim–close voicing, starting from root position, across fingerboard, one octave. Maj, Min, Aug, Dim–one octave from root (min. tempo: eighth notes at =60). Roots: C, F, Bb, Eb, G, D, A Maj7, Min7, Dom7, Min7b5, Dom7sus4, 7#5, Dim7, Maj6, Min6, Min9, 9, 7b9, 7#9, 13–one form for each. Maj7, Min7, Dom7, Min7b5, Dom7sus4, 7#5, Dim7–one octave from root (min. tempo: eighth notes at =60). Instructor approved performance piece–three minute maximum. Notation required for test team. Level appropriate—single note and chords with rhythm slashes.

Level II Keys: C, F, Bb, Eb, G, D, A (parallel to major) Two octaves from any degree or mode (min. tempo: sixteenth notes at =60). Two octaves from tonic (min. tempo: sixteenth notes at =60). Roots: C, F, Bb, Eb, G, D, A Maj, Min, Aug, Dim–close voicing, starting from any inversion, one octave up and down all string sets: ➂➁①, ➃➂➁, ➄➃➂, ➅➄➃. Maj, Min, Aug, Dim–from root, two octaves (min. tempo: eighth notes at =60). Roots: C, F, Bb, Eb, G, D, A Min(maj7), Maj7#5, Maj7b5, Min7#5, 7b5, Dim(Maj7), Maj(9/7), Maj(9/6), min9(maj7), 7(b9/b13),13(b9), 9(b13)–one form for each. Min(maj7), Maj7#5, Maj7b5, Min7#5, 7b5, Dim(Maj7)–one octave from root (min. tempo: eighth notes at =60). Instructor approved performance piece-three minute maximum. Notation required for test team. Level appropriate—single note and chords with rhythm slashes.

LEVEL I Sample Test Questions and Responses

I. Scales 1) Major: Two octaves from any degree or mode (sixteenth notes at =60). Ex.1 G from 2nd degree

Ex. 2 D Locrian

2) Chromatic: Two octaves from tonic (sixteenth notes at =60). A Chromatic

II. Triads Arpeggios: Maj., Min., Aug., Dim. one octave from root (eighth notes at =60).

Chords: Maj., Min., Aug., Dim., close voicing starting from root position, across fingerboard one octave. D0 ➃ ➄ ➅

➂ ➃ ➄

② ➂ ➃

D

① ② ➂

III. Four Part Chords: Maj7, Min7, Dom7, Min7b5, Dom7sus4, 7#5, Dim7, Maj6, Min6, Min9, 9, 7b9, 7#9, 13–one form for each. CMaj7

Arpeggios: Maj7, Min7, Dom7, Min7b5, Dom7sus4, 7#5, Dim7 one octave from root (eighth notes at =60). F7sus4

IV. Performance 1. Performance: Instructor approved performance piece-three minute maximum. Notation required for test team. 2. Reading: Level appropriate—single note and chords with rhythm slashes.

LEVEL II Sample Test Questions and Responses

I. Scales 1) Melodic Minor: Two octaves from any degree or mode (sixteenth notes at =60). Ex.1 Bb from 7th degree

Ex. 2 Bb Lydian b7

2) Whole-tone: Two octaves from tonic (sixteenth notes at =60). C Whole-tone

II. Triads Chords: Maj., Min., Aug., Dim. close voicing, starting from any inversion, one octave up and down any Arpeggios: Maj., Min., Aug., Dim. two string set: ➂➁①, ➃➂➁, ➄➃➂, ➅➄➃. octaves from root (eighth notes at =60). (1st Inv., 2nd string set) Dm

A

② ➂ ➃

III. Four Part Chords: Min(maj7), Maj7#5, Maj7b5, Min7#5, 7b5, Dim(Maj7), Maj(9/7), Maj(9/6), min9(maj7), 7(b9/b13), 13(b9), 9(b13)–one form for each ( ) C0 Maj7

Arpeggios: Min(maj7), Maj7#5, Maj7b5, Min7#5, 7b5, Dim(Maj7) one octave from root (eighth notes at =60). F7 5

IV. Performance 1. Performance: Instructor approved performance piece-three minute maximum. Notation required for test team. 2. Reading: Level appropriate—single note and chords with rhythm slashes.

(9/17/03)

Level III and Level IV Scales 1. Harm. Minor 2. Diminished

Level III Keys: C, F, Bb, Eb, G, D, A Two octaves from any degree (min. tempo: sixteenth notes at =60). Two octaves from tonic (min. tempo: sixteenth notes at =60).

(whole step, half step)

Triads 3. Chords 4. Arpeggios 4-Part 5. Chords 6. Arpeggios Performance 7. Performance 8. Reading

Scales 1. Harm. Major 2. Pentatonic Triads 3. Chords 4. Arpeggios 4-Part 5. Chords 6. Arpeggios Performance 7. Performance 8. Reading

Roots: C, F, Bb, Eb, G, D, A Maj, Min spread (open) voicings–starting from any inversion, one octave. Maj, Min, Aug, Dim–from any chord tone, one octave (min. tempo: eighth notes at =60). Roots: C, F, Bb, Eb, G, D, A Maj7, Min7, Dom7, Min7b5, Dom7sus4, 7#5, Dim7, Maj6, Min6, Min9, 9, 7b9, 7#9, 13–two forms for each Maj7, Min7, Dom7, Min7b5, Dom7sus4, 7#5, Dim7–one octave from any chord tone (min. tempo: eighth notes at =60). Instructor approved performance piece-three minute maximum. Notation required for test team. Level appropriate—single note and chords with rhythm slashes

Level IV Keys: C, F, Bb, Eb, G, D, A Two octaves from any degree (min. tempo: sixteenth notes at =60). Two octaves from tonic–major (1, 2, 3, 5, 6) and minor (1, 2, b3, 5, 6) (min. tempo: sixteenth notes at =60). Roots: C, F, Bb, Eb, G, D, A Aug, Dim spread (open) voicings–starting from any inversion, one octave. Maj, Min, Aug, Dim–from any chord tone, two octaves, (min. tempo: eighth notes at =60). Roots: C, F, Bb, Eb, G, D, A Min(maj7), Maj7#5, Maj7b5, Min7#5, 7b5, Dim(Maj7), Maj(9/7), Maj(9/6), min9(maj7), 7(b9/b13),13(b9), 9(b13)–two forms for each Min(maj7), Maj7#5, Maj7b5, Min7#5, 7b5, Dim(Maj7)–one octave from any chord tone, (min. tempo: eighth notes at =60). Instructor approved performance piece-three minute maximum. Notation required for test team. Level appropriate—single note and chords with rhythm slashes

LEVEL III Sample Test Questions and Responses

I. Scales 1) Harmonic Minor: Two octaves from any degree (sixteenth notes at =60). Ex.1 D from 5th degree

Ex. 2 C from 7th degree

2) Diminished (whole step, half step): Two octaves from tonic (sixteenth notes at =60). G Diminished

II. Triads Maj., Min. spread (open) voicings, starting from any inversion, one octave. (from 1st Inv.) E m

Maj., Min., Aug., Dim. from any chord tone, one octave (eighth notes at =60). A 0 (1st Inv.)

III. Four Part Chords: Maj7, Min7, Dom7, Min7b5, Dom7sus4, 7#5, Dim7, Maj6, Min6, Min9, 9, 7b9, 7#9, 13–two forms for each G7sus4

G7sus4

Arpeggios: Maj7, Min7, Dom7, Min7b5, Dom7sus4, 7#5, Dim7 from any chord tone, one octave (eighth notes at =60). ( ) Dm7 5 (from 7th)

IV. Performance 1. Performance: Instructor approved performance piece-three minute maximum. Notation required for test team. 2. Reading: Level appropriate—single note and chords with rhythm slashes.

LEVEL IV Sample Test Questions and Responses

I. Scales 1) Harmonic Major: Two octaves from any degree (sixteenth notes at =60). D from 5th degree

2) Pentatonic: Two octaves from tonic–major (1, 2, 3, 5, 6,) and Japanese minor (1, 2, b3, 5, 6), (sixteenth notes at =60). Ex. 1 Eb Pent. Major

Ex. 2 A Pent. Minor

II. Triads Chords: Aug., Dim., open (spread) voicings starting from any inversion, one octave. C0

(from 2nd inv.)

Arpeggios: Maj., Min., Aug., Dim. from any chord tone, two octaves (eighth notes at =60). Gmin

(from 5th)

III. Four Part Chords: Min(maj7), Maj7#5, Maj7b5, Min7#5, 7b5, Dim(Maj7), Maj(9/7), Maj(9/6), min9(maj7), 7(b9/b13), 13(b9), 9(b13)–two forms for each. GMaj7

( 5)

GMaj7 ( 5 )

Arpeggios: Min(maj7), Maj7#5, Maj7b5, Min7#5, 7b5, Dim(Maj7) one octave from any chord tone, (eighth notes at =60). F ° (Maj7 ) (from 3rd)

IV. Performance 1. Performance: Instructor approved performance piece-three minute maximum. Notation required for test team. 2. Reading: Level appropriate—single note and chords with rhythm slashes.

(09/17/03)

Level V and Level VI Scales— 1. Major 2. Chromatic Triad– 3. Chords 4. Arpeggios 4-Part– 5. Chords 6. Arpeggios 7. Reading 8. Performance

Scales— 1. Mel. Minor 2. Whole tone Triad– 3. Chords 4. Arpeggios 4-Part– 5. Chords 6. Arpeggios

7. Reading 8. Performance

Level V All keys Three octaves from any degree or mode, (min. tempo: sixteenth notes at =60). Three octaves from tonic, (min. tempo: sixteenth notes at =60). Diatonic to C Major, voice-led through 6 cycles from Root, 1st and 2nd inversions, close and spread. Major three octaves from any chord tone, all keys (min. tempo: eighth notes at =60). Maj7, Min7, Dom7, Min7b5, Dom7sus4, 7#5, Dim7–all inversions, student choice of key. Maj7, Min7, Dom7, Min7b5, Dom7sus4, 7#5, Dim7–two octaves from any chord tone, all keys (min. tempo: eighth notes at =60). Level appropriate—single note and chords with rhythm slashes. Instructor approved performance piece.

Level VI All keys Three octaves from any degree or mode, (min. tempo: sixteenth notes at =60). Three octaves from tonic, (min. tempo: sixteenth notes at =60). Diatonic to C Melodic Minor, voice-led through 6 cycles from Root, 1st and 2nd inversions, close and spread. Minor three octaves from any chord tone, all keys (min. tempo: eighth notes at =60). Min(maj7), Maj7#5, Maj7b5, Min7#5, 7b5, Dim(Maj7)–all inversions, student choice of key. Min(maj7), Maj7#5, Maj7b5, Min7#5, 7b5, Dim(Maj7) –two octaves from any chord tone, all keys (min. tempo: eighth notes at =60). Level appropriate—single note and chords with rhythm slashes. Instructor approved performance piece.

LEVEL V Sample Test Questions and Responses

I. Scales

1) Major: Three octaves from any degree or mode (sixteenth notes at =60). Ex.1 Db from 3rd degree

Ex.2 F# Aeolian

2) Chromatic: Three octaves from tonic (sixteenth notes at =60). G Chromatic

II. Triads Chords: Diatonic to C Major, voice-led through six cycles from Root, 1st and 2nd inversion (close and spread). Ex.1 Key of C Major Cycle 3 from 1st Inv. (Close) C Em G B0

Dm

F

Am

C

Ex.2 Key of C Major Cycle 4 from Root Pos. (Close) C F B0 Em Am

Dm

G

C

Arpeggios: Major 3 octaves from any chord tone, all keys (eighth notes at =60). D from 3rd

III. Four Part Chords: Maj7, Min7, Dom7, Min7b5, 7#5, Dom7sus4, Dim7 all inversions (student's choice of key. B m7

B 7sus4

Arpeggios: Maj7, Min7, Dom7, Min7b5, 7#5, Dom7sus4, Dim7 two octaves from any chord tone, all keys (eighth notes at =60). C7sus4 from b7

IV. Performance 1. Performance: Instructor approved performance piece-three minute maximum. Notation required for test team. 2. Reading: Level appropriate—single note and chords with rhythm slashes.

LEVEL VI Sample Test Questions and Responses

I. Scales

1) Melodic Minor: Three octaves from any degree or mode (sixteenth notes at =60). Ex.1 G from 1st degree

Ex.2 G Altered

2) Whole tone: Three octaves from tonic (sixteenth notes at =60). F Whole tone

II. Triads Chords: Diatonic to C Melodic Minor, voice-led through six cycles from Root, 1st and 2nd inversion (close and spread). Ex.1 Key of C Mel. Minor Cycle 2 from 1st Inversion (Close) Cm Dm E aug F G

A0

B0

Cm

Ex.2 Key of C Mel. Minor Cycle 6 from Root Position (spread) Cm A0 F Dm B0

G

E aug Cm

Arpeggios: Minor 3 octaves from any chord tone, all keys (eighth notes at =60). B m from 5th

III. Four Part Chords: Min(maj7), Maj7#5, Maj7b5, Min7#5, 7b5, Dim(Maj7) all inversions (student choice of key). ( ) Cm maj7

C7

( 5)

Arpeggios: Min(maj7), Maj7#5, Maj7b5, Min7#5, 7b5, Dim(Maj7) two octaves from any chord tone, all keys (eighth notes at =60). ( ) GMaj7 5

from 3rd

IV. Performance 1. Performance: Instructor approved performance piece-three minute maximum. Notation required for test team. 2. Reading: Level appropriate—single note and chords with rhythm slashes.

(09/17/03)

Level VII and Level VIII Scales— 1. Harm. Minor 2. Diminished Triad– 3. Chords 4. Arpeggios 4-Part– 5. Chords 6. Arpeggios 7. Reading 8. Performance

Scales— 1. Harm. Major 2. Pentatonic Triad– 3. Chords 4. Arpeggios 4-Part– 5. Chords 6. Arpeggios

7. Reading 8. Performance

Level VII All keys Three octaves from any degree, (min. tempo: sixteenth notes at =60). Three octaves from tonic, (min. tempo: sixteenth notes at =60). Diatonic to C Harmonic Minor, voice-led through 6 cycles from Root, 1st and 2nd inversions, close and spread. Augmented 3 octaves from any chord tone, all keys (min. tempo: eighth notes at =60). Maj7, Min7, Dom7, Min7b5, Dom7sus4, 7#5, Dim7–all inversions, all keys. Maj7, Min7, Dom7, Min7b5, Dom7sus4, 7#5, Dim7–three octaves from any chord tone, all keys (min. tempo: eighth notes at =60). Level appropriate—single note and chords with rhythm slashes. Instructor approved performance piece.

Level VIII All keys Three octaves from any degree or mode, (min. tempo: sixteenth notes at =60). Three octaves from tonic–major (1, 2, 3, 5, 6) and minor (1, 2, b3, 5, 6), (min. tempo: sixteenth notes at =60). Maj, Min, Aug, Dim–voice-led chromatically "48 to 48" (close and spread). Diminished three octaves from any chord tone, all keys (min. tempo: eighth notes at =60). Min(maj7), Maj7#5, Maj7b5, Min7#5, 7b5, Dim(Maj7)–all inversions, all keys. Min(maj7), Maj7#5, Maj7b5, Min7#5, 7b5, Dim(Maj7)–three octaves from any chord tone, all keys (min. tempo: eighth notes at =60). Level appropriate—single note and chords with rhythm slashes. Instructor approved performance piece

LEVEL VII Sample Test Questions and Responses

I. Scales

1) Harmonic Minor: Three octaves from any degree (sixteenth notes at =60). Ex.1 G from 7th degree

Ex.2 Bb from 5th degree

2) Diminished: Three octaves from tonic (sixteenth notes at =60). G Diminished

II. Triads Chords: Diatonic to C Harmonic Minor, voice-led through six cycles from Root, 1st and 2nd inversion (close and spread). Ex.1 Key of C Harm. Minor Cycle 3 from 2nd Inversion (Close) Cm E G B0 D0

Fm

A

Cm

Ex.2 Key of C Harm. Minor Cycle 5 from 1st Inversion (spread) Cm G D0 A E

B0

Fm

Cm

Arpeggios: Augmented 3 octaves from any chord tone, all keys (eighth notes at =60). D

from 3rd

III. Four Part Chords: Maj7, Min7, Dom7, Min7b5, 7#5, Dom7sus4, Dim7 all inversions, all keys. B m7

C7

( 5)

Arpeggios: Maj7, Min7, Dom7, Min7b5, 7#5, Dom7sus4, Dim7, three octaves from any chord tone, all keys (eighth notes at =60). GMaj7 from 7th

IV. Performance 1. Performance: Instructor approved performance piece-three minute maximum. Notation required for test team. 2. Reading: Level appropriate—single note and chords with rhythm slashes.

LEVEL VIII Sample Test Questions and Responses

I. Scales

1) Harmonic Major: Three octaves from any degree (sixteenth notes at =60). Ex.1 A from 6th degree

Ex.2 Eb from 3rd degree

2) Pentatonic: Three octaves from tonic-major (1, 2, 3, 5, 6) and Japanese minor (1, 2, b3, 5, 6) (sixteenth notes at =60). Ab Major Pentatonic (1, 2, 3, 5, 6)

G Minor Pentatonic "Japanese" (1, 2, b3, 5, 6)

II. Triads Chords: "48 to 48" (Any Maj. Min. Aug. Dim. triad voice-led to any other triad. 4 qualities X 12 keys = 48) 16 triads, supplied by test team are to be played both close and spread. See the article Triadic Equal Rights by Mick Goodrick, available at http://classes.berklee.edu/gr Ex.1 close C A m Bm

Ex.2 spread C E Gm

E

C

D0

A

E

D

G

F

F m

E m

B

B

E m

F m E

F

D

D0

E

A

C0

C

Gm

E

B

A m

Arpeggios: Diminished 3 octaves from any chord tone, all keys (eighth notes at =60). C0

from 5th

III. Four Part Chords: Min(maj7), Maj7#5, Maj7b5, Min7#5, 7b5, Dim(Maj7)–all inversions, all keys. D M a j 7 #5

B

0

(M a j 7 )

Arpeggios: Min(maj7), Maj7#5, Maj7b5, Min7#5, 7b5, Dim(Maj7) two octaves from any chord tone, all keys (eighth notes at =60). ( ) Dm M a j 7 from 3rd

IV. Performance 1. Performance: Instructor approved performance piece-three minute maximum. Notation required for test team. 2. Reading: Level appropriate—single note and chords with rhythm slashes.