So, as someone that has studied classical music I have this to say: No way in hell that he went through one semester in one day of music theory. It is in many w

So, as someone that has studied classical music I have this to say: No way in hell that he went through one semester in one day of music theory. It is in many ways a craftsmanship that has to be practised. He had probably acquired most of that through practising without knowing it. What it tells me is that Berkley didn't properly divide people into skill level after the entrance exams. I have studied classical music in 2 countries and have been to many different schools. Music theory and solfege has always been divided by skill. The people that scored the best at the entrance exams do the base level stuff plus extra fun stuff in one semester, whereas the people that score the worst do it in 4 to six semesters. My solfege teacher told me there is usually two people every year that wants to do the final exams without studying, and most fail. For what it is worth, it is an elitist field of study. The best ones get in. And the best of those get a job.