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EXAM CONTENTS ROYAL CONSERVATOIRE ANTWERP 2023-24

course: Practical Harmony and Improvisation

BACHELOR 1

Semester 1

  • Rule of the octave in order (all 24 keys should be prepared, including knowledge of the harmonic functions, chord symbols and basso continuo figures).

  • Rule of the octave out of order (all 24 keys should be prepared).

  • Three cadences in all keys (semplice, composta, doppia).

  • Arpeggiated version of the first 5 chords from the rule of the octave.

  • Embellishments on a few basic chords.

 

Semester 2

  • variations on a theme

  • secundary dominants

  • improvising preludes in C major and A minor

BACHELOR 2

Semester 1

  • Improvised preludes in a minimum of 6 keys. Consider the following skills: rule of the octave, chromatic scale harmonization (secondary and double dominants), transposition of historical preludes, a mix of basic techniques (arpeggio, scales and scale figures, ornamental notes), variation in blueprints of your own favorite harmonic progressions.

 

Semester 2

  • Improvised preludes in a minimum of 12 keys. Consider the following skills: rule of the octave, chromatic scale harmonization (secondary and double dominants), transposition of historical preludes, a mix of basic techniques (arpeggio, scales and scale figures, ornamental notes), variation in blueprints of your own favorite harmonic progressions.

 

BACHELOR 3

Semester 1

  • Improvised preludes in a minimum of 18 keys. Consider the following skills: rule of the octave, chromatic scale harmonization (secondary and double dominants), transposition of historical preludes, a mix of basic techniques (arpeggio, scales and scale figures, ornamental notes), variation in blueprints of your own favorite harmonic progressions.

  • Alternative program for pianists who finished the preluding discipline: to be discussed.

 

Semester 2

  • Improvised preludes in a minimum of 24 keys. Consider the following skills: rule of the octave, chromatic scale harmonization (secondary and double dominants), transposition of historical preludes, a mix of basic techniques (arpeggio, scales and scale figures, ornamental notes), variation in blueprints of your own favorite harmonic progressions.

  • choice of the following formats: fantasia, pot-pourri, variations on a theme, capriccio, etc.

  • Alternative program for pianists who finished the preluding discipline: to be discussed.

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