(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, Dimclose voicing, starting from root position, across
fingerboard, one octave.
Maj, Min, Aug, Dimone 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, 13one form for each.
Maj7, Min7, Dom7, Min7b5, Dom7sus4, 7#5, Dim7one octave from
root (min. tempo: eighth notes at =60).
Instructor approved performance piecethree minute maximum.
Notation required for test team.
Level appropriatesingle 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, Dimclose voicing, starting from any inversion, one
octave up and down all string sets: , , , .
Maj, Min, Aug, Dimfrom 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 appropriatesingle 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

III. Four Part

Chords: Maj7, Min7, Dom7, Min7b5,
Dom7sus4, 7#5, Dim7, Maj6, Min6,
Min9, 9, 7b9, 7#9, 13one 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 appropriatesingle 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: , , , .
octaves from root (eighth notes at =60).
(1st Inv., 2nd string set)
Dm

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 appropriatesingle 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) voicingsstarting from any inversion, one
octave.
Maj, Min, Aug, Dimfrom 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, 13two forms for each
Maj7, Min7, Dom7, Min7b5, Dom7sus4, 7#5, Dim7one octave
from any chord tone (min. tempo: eighth notes at =60).
Instructor approved performance piece-three minute maximum.
Notation required for test team.
Level appropriatesingle 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 tonicmajor (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) voicingsstarting from any inversion, one
octave.
Maj, Min, Aug, Dimfrom 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 appropriatesingle 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, 13two 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 appropriatesingle 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 tonicmajor (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 appropriatesingle 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, Dim7all inversions,
student choice of key.
Maj7, Min7, Dom7, Min7b5, Dom7sus4, 7#5, Dim7two octaves
from any chord tone, all keys (min. tempo: eighth notes at =60).
Level appropriatesingle 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 appropriatesingle 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

Am

Ex.2 Key of C Major

Cycle 4 from Root Pos. (Close)
C
F
B0
Em
Am

Dm

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 appropriatesingle 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

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 appropriatesingle 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, Dim7all inversions,
all keys.
Maj7, Min7, Dom7, Min7b5, Dom7sus4, 7#5, Dim7three octaves
from any chord tone, all keys (min. tempo: eighth notes at =60).
Level appropriatesingle 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 tonicmajor (1, 2, 3, 5, 6) and minor (1, 2, b3, 5,
6), (min. tempo: sixteenth notes at =60).
Maj, Min, Aug, Dimvoice-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 appropriatesingle 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

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 appropriatesingle 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

D0

F m

E m

E m

F m E

D0

C0

Gm

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

(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 appropriatesingle note and chords with rhythm slashes.