I need help with college classes

[acertainman]

I'm thinking of minoring in music, but I plan to take this course:

MUSC-240  Advanced Keyboard Studies For The Professional Musician

For music majors. A continuation of 140/141 at a more intensive level. Skills on note and clef reading, melodic patterns, chord progressions, finger technique, transposition, harmonization, improvisation, and sight-reading. Diverse repertoire and class performance. Cannot be audited. Prepares the music education major for the required piano proficiency. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. 1 credit

Am I still allowed to take this class even if it says it's for music majors?

[quantum]

What is your relationship with the music faculty at this time? 

From the information given, it appears to be a second-level course.  It is likely there will be material referenced from the first level course - did you take such course?  If not, do you have the necessary knowledge prerequisites?  Is there a reason why you want to take this course?

"Prerequisite: consent of instructor" typically means the instructor will need to approve of you being in the course.  Maybe an interview/audition to make sure the course is a correct fit for you. 

Contact an academic adviser within the music faculty.  They will answer your questions and tell you what is required to take this course. 

[acertainman]

Not in college yet.  Maybe I'm jumping ahead a bit.
MUSC-140 and 141 are beginner and intermediate, respectively.  Assuming my playing level is Scarbo tier, I'd like to skip those courses....unless, of course, they don't just teach you basic scales and how to read notes.  I'm confused as to what level "beginner" is at college standards so I'm really conflicted on whether I should start at MUSC-140 or skip to 240 with the chance of missing out on important content.

The link for reference:  https://www.linfield.edu/music/courses.html

[quantum]

First year music major fundamental courses are usually an eye opening experience for many.  For those that have already attained a high level of skill on their instrument, they can also be very humbling.  A lot of the material in the syllabus is stuff you should know already, but it is covered to such great depth - something many music students have not experienced prior.  If there is any weakness in one's fundamental music knowledge it will be weeded out.  That's really the point, all the holes in one's fundamental knowledge are filled so that one can get on with learning how to make music better.

IMO, if you don't know what the course content of 140 includes, then you need to take 140 before 240.  If you have the course syllabus of 140 and can check off all items in the list, then 240 would be a consideration. 

My advice: if there is an exemption exam for 140 try to take it and see how you do.  Similar to 240, if there is an audition take it.  Talk to the prof that is teaching the course.  Talk to students that have taken the course.  Most profs will provide the entire course syllabus and reading list within the first few days of class.  You may be able to get a sample from a past year by contacting the prof or students. 

[acertainman]

Thanks, I'll take your advice. Merry Christmas, mi familia.