The standard audition for entrance into the
EKU guitar program includes:

Classical

1. Performing two works from the standard repertoire for the classic guitar. The two pieces need to be from different style periods with contrasting tempos. For example:

Capricio Arabe by Francisco Tarrega (Romantic Period/Slow)
Gigue by J.S. Bach (Baroque Period/Fast)

2. Fingerstyle sight reading in the first three positions.

Electric

1. Performing one jazz standard (chord/melody is preferred) by playing the head and soloing one time over the chord changes. A rhythm section can be provided upon request or I can comp the changes for you. Suggested songs include Girl from Ipanema, Satin Doll, Blue Bossa, Blues for Alice, etc...(any song from the Real Book is fine).

2. Performing any contemporary guitar work (can be pop, jazz, blues, etc...). The work must be a guitar feature with a solo and without vocals (unless you can sing it). Works by Satriani, Vai, Atkins, Klugh, Pass, Montgomery, Ellis, Metheny, Scofield, DiMeola, etc., are common selections.

Theory/History

1. A written and oral examination that tests the prospective student's knowledge of written music, theroy (aural/written), and history. Few students score perfectly on this test; it simply gives us an idea of the student's understanding of theory and history.

Basic Assumptions

Few guitarist begin their collegiate careers already playing at a professional level. If they knew everything they would not need to go to college. Most students have music reading problems and poor classical preparation. Some have never counted a single rhythm before their first college lesson. That is fine...

It is assumed that all Freshman guitar majors, regardless or their degree program, will work quickly to remedy any deficiencies that fall below the minimum standards acceptable for collegiate guitar study at the freshman level. Such standards include, but are not limited to the following:

• Ability to read through the 5th position (12th position is needed by the end of the freshman year).
• Ability to perform rhythms involving 1/16ths, including dotted and tied values with 1/4 notes equal to 50 m.m.
• Command of rhythmic vocables at the 1/16th level of diminution with 1/4 notes equal to 50 m.m.
• Understanding basic music nomenclature: D.S., repeats, key signatures, accidentals, ties/slurs, left/right hand fingerings, pick strokes (violin bow markings), etc., and all the basic Italian tempo and expression markings.
• Basic theoretical, harmonic, and historical concepts. Knowledge of the style periods and common forms (binary, ternary, variation, rondo, and sonata).
• Knowledge of the modes and how they align with chords. The sonorities found in major and minor keys.
• The CAGED system of fretboard visualization and the main major 7th, minor 7th, dominant 7th, half-diminished 7th, and diminished 7th chord shapes.