GRADE TWO

POPULAR MUSIC THEORY EXAMINATION

Summer 2014
Time allowed: 2 hours

Candidate NAME:
(Surname last)

Entry NUMBER: Examination CENTRE:

Instructions to candidates

1. Write your name, examination centre and entry number (details provided in your attendance
letter) in the spaces provided above, but do not open this examination paper until instructed to
do so by the invigilator.

2. All answers must be written in the spaces provided. These answers may be copies of rough
work done in the examination room, on paper provided by the invigilator, but all rough work
must be handed to the invigilator with the examination script at the end of the examination.

3. Candidates are not permitted to bring any paper, notes or books into the examination room.

4. Candidates are not permitted to talk to one another in the examination room, but reasonable
questions may be addressed to the invigilator.

5. Candidates must stop writing immediately when requested to do so by the invigilator.

6. Ensure that you return the complete examination script to the invigilator upon completion of the
examination.

7. Please leave the examination room as quietly as possible if other candidates are still
completing their examination.

Registry Mews, 11 to 13 Wilton Rd, Bexhill, Sussex, TN40 1HY

Tel: 01424 22 22 22 Fax: 01424 21 32 21
info@examregistry.com
Section 1: SCALES AND KEYS Questions 1 - 7: 5 marks each. Max. Total: 35 marks

Q1. Which major key has one flat in the key signature?

Q2. Starting from the keynote, use letter names to write the
notes of the pentatonic major scale that has two sharps in the
key signature.

Q3. Starting from the keynote, use letter names to write the
notes of the natural minor scale that has one flat in the
key signature.

Q4. Using the correct key signature, write as whole notes (semibreves) one octave ascending of the
F pentatonic major scale in either the treble or bass clef.

Q5. Using the correct key signature, write as whole notes (semibreves) one octave ascending of the
B natural minor scale in either the treble or bass clef.

Q6. Which type of scale has the following scale spelling: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8?

Q7. Write the scale spelling of the natural minor scale.

Section 2: CHORDS Questions 1 - 6: 5 marks each. Max. Total: 30 marks

Q1. Which chord consists of the notes C E G B
?

Q2. Starting from the root note, write the notes of the
th
F major 7 chord using letter names.

Q3. Which chord is this?

th
Q4. Write as whole notes (semibreves) the A dominant 7 chord in
either the treble or bass clef.

Q5. What type of chord has the following chord spelling: 1 3 5 7?

th
Q6. Write the chord spelling of the minor 7 chord.
Section 3: RHYTHM NOTATION Q.1 - 3: 1 mark each; Q. 4 - 6: 2 marks each; Q.7: 4 marks. Max.Total: 13 marks

Q1. What type of note is this?

3
Q2. How many of this type of note are needed to fill a bar of 4 time?

Q3. How many quarter notes (crotchets) are equivalent to a dotted half note (dotted minim)?

Q4. Complete the following bars by inserting the appropriate rest or rests in the spaces marked *.

Q5. Without changing the rhythm, re-write the following bar so that the notes and rests are grouped correctly.

Q6. Without changing the rhythm, re-write the following bar so that the notes and rests are grouped correctly.

4
Q7. Using a pitch of your choice, write two different bars of rhythm in 4 time. Include some dotted quarter
th
notes (dotted crotchets), eighth notes (quavers) and 16 notes (semiquavers).
 Section 4: KNOWLEDGE OF POPULAR MUSIC Q.1 – 4: 3 marks each. Max. Total: 12 marks

Q1. Name two famous songs recorded by David Bowie.

Q2. In which country was Chuck Berry born?

Q3. With what style of music is Madonna primarily associated?

Q4. In which decade did Led Zeppelin first have commercial success?

Section 5: HARMONY Q.1: 3 marks. Q 2: 1 mark. Q. 3 – 5: 2 marks each. Max. Total 10 marks

Q1. Name three triads in the key of C major.

Q2. On which degree of the C major scale does the G major triad occur?

nd
Q3. Which triad is built on the 2 degree of the C major scale?

th
Q4. What is the technical term for the triad built on the 5 degree of the major scale?

Q5. Which of the following triads is NOT built from the C major scale: C major, D minor, E minor, F minor, G
major or A minor?

[END OF EXAM SCRIPT]