Aural

The parameters for aural tests have changed. Changes apply to all exams taken from 1 January
2017 onwards. Please note that there is no overlap for supporting tests, and the previous aural
tests cannot be offered after 31 December 2016.

This test supports the development of candidates abilities in the field of musical perception by
assessing their responses to carefully graded questions. Questions are detailed in the table below
and based on a single musical example, performed at the piano by the examiner. Practice tests can
be found in Trinitys Aural Tests from 2017 books, available from www.trinitycollege.com/shop or
your local music retailer.

Grade Parameters Task Response

Listen to the melody three Clap the pulse on the third playing,
melody only times stressing the strong beat

4 bars Listen to the melody once Identify the dynamic as forte or piano
Initial Identify the articulation as legato or
major key Listen to the melody once
staccato
2 Listen to the first three notes
Identify the highest or lowest note
of the melody once

Listen to the melody Clap the pulse on the third playing,

three times stressing the strong beat

melody only i) Identify the dynamic as forte or piano

Listen to the melody once ii) Identify the articulation as legato or
4 bars staccato
Grade 1
major key Listen to the first two bars of Identify the last note as higher or lower
the melody once than the first note
2 or 3
Listen to the melody twice,
with a change of rhythm or Identify where the change occurred
pitch in the second playing

Listen to the melody Clap the pulse on the third playing,

three times stressing the strong beat

melody only i) Describe the dynamics, which will vary

during the melody
4 bars Listen to the melody once
ii) Identify the articulation as legato or
Grade 2 major or staccato
minor key
Identify the last note as higher or lower
Listen to the melody once
than the first note
2 or 3
Listen to the melody twice,
i) Identify where the change occurred
with a change of rhythm or
ii) Identify the change as rhythm or pitch
pitch in the second playing

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Grade Parameters Task
Listen to the melody twice
melody only Listen to the melody once
4 bars
Listen to the first two notes of
Grade 3 major or
the melody once
minor key
Study a copy of the melody
3 or 4 (provided in treble, alto or bass
clef as appropriate), and listen to
it once as written and once with
a change of rhythm or pitch
Listen to the piece twice
Listen to the piece twice
harmonised
4 bars
Grade 4 major or Listen to the first two notes of
minor key the melody once
4 or 6 Study a copy of the melody
(provided in treble, alto or bass
clef as appropriate), and listen
to it once as written and once
with a change of rhythm and a
change of pitch
Listen to the piece twice
harmonised Listen to the piece twice
8 bars
Grade 5 major or
minor key Listen to two notes from the
melody line played consecutively
2, 3, 4 or 6
Study a copy of the piece, and
listen to it once as written and
once with a change of rhythm
and a change of pitch (both
changes in the melody line)
Response
Clap the pulse on the second playing,
stressing the strong beat
Identify the tonality as major or minor
Identify the interval by number only
(second, third, fourth, fifth or sixth)
i) Identify the bar in which the
change occurred
ii) Identify the change as rhythm
or pitch
Clap the pulse on the second playing,
stressing the strong beat
i) Identify the tonality as major
or minor
ii) Identify the final cadence as perfect
or imperfect
Identify the interval as minor or major
second, minor or major third, perfect
fourth or fifth, minor or major sixth
i) Identify the bar in which the change
of rhythm occurred
ii) Identify the bar in which the
change of pitch occurred
i) C
 lap the pulse on the second
playing, stressing the strong beat
ii) Identify the time signature
i) Identify the changing tonality
ii) Identify the final cadence as
perfect, plagal, imperfect
or interrupted
Identify the interval as minor or major
second, minor or major third, perfect
fourth or fifth, minor or major sixth,
minor or major seventh or octave
i) Identify the bar in which the change
of rhythm occurred
ii) Identify the bar in which the
change of pitch occurred
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Grade Parameters Task Response

i) Identify the time signature

Listen to the piece twice ii) C omment on the dynamics
iii) C omment on the articulation

Identify and comment on two other

harmonised Listen to the piece twice
characteristics of the piece
8 bars
Grade 6
major key Identify the key to which the music modulates
Listen to the first four as subdominant, dominant or relative minor.
2, 3, 4 or 6 bars of the piece once Answers may alternatively be given as key
names

Study a copy of the

piece, and listen to it Locate and describe the changes as pitch
twice with two changes or rhythm
to the melody line

i) Identify the time signature

Listen to the piece twice ii) C omment on the dynamics
iii) C omment on the articulation

harmonised
Identify and comment on two other
Listen to the piece twice
8 bars characteristics of the piece
Grade 7 major or
minor key Identify the key to which the music
Listen to the first four modulates as subdominant, dominant or
2, 3, 4 or 6 bars of the piece once relative key. Answers may alternatively be
given as key names

Study a copy of the

Locate and describe the changes as pitch
piece, and listen to it
(melody line only) or rhythm
twice with three changes

i) Identify the time signature

Listen to the piece once ii) Comment on the dynamics
harmonised iii) C
 omment on the articulation
1216 bars
Identify and comment on three other
Grade 8 major or Listen to the piece twice
characteristics of the piece
minor key

2, 3, 4, 6 or 5 Study a copy of the

Locate and describe the changes as pitch
piece, and listen to it
or rhythm
twice with three changes

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