Theory of Music Exam

Practice Paper 1

Mark Scheme

Grade 5

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Grade 5 Theory Paper 1 Mark Scheme

1 (a) 2 marks for each correct time signature (allow 2/2 instead of 4/4)

(ii) 2 marks for each correct enharmonic equivalent, 1 mark for writing as semibreves.

(b) (2 marks) ‘arco’ means ‘bowed’/is an indication ‘to play with the bow’.

(i) (2 marks) – must be a stringed instrument: Viola/Violin/Violoncello [‘cello’]

Qu. 1 /10

2(i) (2 marks) Chord X: IVC or IV6/4 or IV (2nd inversion) or Subdominant 2nd inversion etc.

(2 marks) Chord Y: IA or I5/3 or I (root position) – accept just ‘I’.

Award 1 mark for each if the correct chord in the wrong inversion.

(ii) (1 mark) Acciaccatura(s).

Qu. 2 /5

3 (2 marks) All correct clefs, key signatures, time signatures.

(8 marks) 2 for each correct part, -1 for incorrect beams, missing accidentals, wrong octaves.

Qu 3. /10
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4 5 marks for each correct scale, -1 for incorrect accidentals.

Qu 4: /10

5 Award 2 marks for each bar (/10), deduct one from that bar’s score for missing accidentals,
incorrect notes or an incomplete part. Deduct one from the overall score for an incorrect key
signature.

Qu 5: /10

6 2 marks for each correct chord (or written correctly on the stave):

Chord A: II Chord B: V Chord C: IV Chord D: V Chord E: I

Qu 6: /10

7(a) 2 marks for each:

Molto Tranquillo – Peacefully/Tranquil

Crescendo – An increase in dynamic

To split/Arppegiate the chord

‘mezzo forte’ – Moderately loud

(ii) (2 marks) F major

(b)(i) 1 mark for each: True, False, True

(ii) (3 marks) Correct Rewriting

- 1 for each wrong note, -1 for incorrect clef

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(c)(i) (2 marks) Whole Tone Scale

(ii) (2 marks) Mediant

(iii) (2 marks) Flute, Oboe or Bassoon (Piccolo sounds octave higher)

Qu. 7 /20

8 2 marks per correct answer.

1 mark for the wrong type (ie. major 6th instead of minor 6th)

Interval 1: minor 6th Interval 2: minor 3rd Interval 3: major 3rd

Interval 4: major 6th Interval 5: (compound) perfect 4th

(0 marks for incorrect interval, even if correct type – ie. major 2nd instead of major 3rd)

Qu. 8 /10

9 Award a mark out of 15 based on the following criteria:

Marks 0-5 An unstable melody that leaps in awkward intervals and has little sense of rhythmic
shape or phrasing. The melody has little relation to the given material and no concideration has
been given to aspects of performance such as dynamics, breating (flute) or bowing (violin) or the
melody is shorter than 8 bars.

Marks 5-10 A viable melody which relates to the given materialin aspects of melody and rhythm.
The melody stays within the harmonic framework of the given key and returns to the tonic at the
end for a sense of closure. Some concideration will have been given to aspects of performance
(dynamics, breathing/bowing, phrasing, articulation) and the melody is 8 bars long.

Marks 10-15 A well thought out melody with a sense of direction whilst relating both
harmonically and rhythmically to the given material, perhaps making use of sequences. The
melody feels complete and has a sense of phrase structure, possibly impying certain cadences at
the end of their lines and is the correct length (8 bars). Aspects of performance (dynamics,
breathing/bowing, phrasing, articulation) have been carefully concidered and are appropritate for
the chosen instrument.

Qu. 9 /15

Suggested Pass Mark: 66

Total marks: /100
Merit Mark: 80

Distinction Mark: 90

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