Grade 4 Music Theory Test (ABRSM)
* This test contains SEVEN questions, ALL of which should be answered. * Points available for each question are given in brackets e.g. (2 points) Maximum score=100. Score of 66-79=pass, …
Musical Terms Grade 4 (ABRSM)
You need to know all the terms and symbols from grades 1, 2 and 4, plus these new ones: Italian Terms French Terms affettuoso – tenderly alla breve – two …
Ornaments (Symbols)
Ornaments are symbols that tell the player to change the written note in a specific way. Some ornaments are written on the stave itself, while others are written above it. …
Standard Orchestral Instruments
In your music theory exam, you will need to know something about the standard orchestral instruments used today. You’ll need to memorise some information about: The Orchestral Families In a …
The Alto Clef
The alto clef is a type of C clef. It’s a clef which tells you where middle C is located on the stave. (It’s not the only C clef – …
Rhythm Rewriting (ABRSM Grade 4)
Rewriting a Rhythm in a New Time Signature It’s possible to change the time signature of a piece of music without changing the rhythmic effect. This means that the rhythm …
Duplets
We have already learnt about triplets. Just to refresh your memory, triplets are used when we want to play three notes in the space where there would normally be two: The …
2/8 and 4/8 Time
Most time signatures that we meet in the music we play with a lower number 8, are compound time, but there are also simple time signatures with an 8 below. …
More Compound Time Signatures
Compound /4 Time Signatures Time signatures with 6, 9 or 12 on top and 4 below are compound time. They work very much like their compound /8 counterparts (6/8, 9/8 …
Double Dotted Notes
Double Dots A single dot to the right of a note head increases the length of the note by 50% (the note plus half of itself). So, a dotted minim …