Grade Music Theory Sample Papers

14

Music Theory
Sample Papers
for new format Theory exams

ABRSM Grade 4
 Music Theory Sample Papers

format theory
These sample papers have been created to prepare candidates for our new

exams from 2020.

What's new for Grade 4?

There are new question types including more multiple-choice. This is to ensure objective,
reliable and robust assessment.

Candidates are now no longer required to demonstrate accurate copying of music

however the knowledge they will be required to show in their answers will be the same.
. There will be a total of 75 marks available rather than 100 marks. Candidates will need
50 marks for a Pass, 60 marks for a Merit and 65 marks for a Distinction.

What's changing for Grade 4?

A reduced number of terms and signs, which now better supports progression from grade
to grade and ensures the required knowledge is more relevant and useful to learners.

Removed the requirement to transpose an entire melody between clefs, but still assess
the fundamental knowledge of transposition between clefs and keys.

New supporting publications

Discovering Music Theory

Discovering Music Theory is a suite of workbooks and corresponding answer books that
offers all-round preparation for the updated ABRSM Music Theory exams from 2020,
including the new online papers. These full-colour workbooks will equip students of all
ages with the skills, knowledge and understanding required for the ABRSM Grades 1-5
Music Theory exams. Written to make theory engaging and relevant to developing
musicians of all ages.

It is
illegal
© 2020 by The Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music to make
Published by ABRSM (Publishing) Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of ABRSM unauthorised
Cover by Andy Potts copies of this
Printed in England by Halstan & Co.Ltd, Amersham, Bucks, on materials from sustainable sources copyright
P14802 music.
Contents

Music Theory Sample Paper A

Music Theory Sample Paper B 14

Music Theory Sample Paper C 24

Music Theory Sample Paper D 34

The following sample exam paper is a printed representation of how this exam will appear
when online. The structure of the questions, the knowledge required and the topics covered
will be the same. However, in order to suit an online platform, the wording of the questions
and the method of answering them may be different.

Terminology:

minim crotchet quaver demisemiquaver

bar breve

8th note 16th note 32nd note

measure double whole note half note quarter note

whole note
 Total marks:
Music Theory Sample Paper 2020 Grade 4 A /75

Exam duration: 2 hours maximum

/10
1 Rhythm

(3)
1.1
Circle the correct time signature for each of these bars.

(a) ¢
&
&
(c)
&

1.2 Here is a bar in simple time:

Which of the following shows the bar above correctly rewritten in compound time? Tick (1/) one box.

1.3 Complete the following two sentences by adding a number to each. (2)

(a) In & 2 dotted-minim beats in a bar.

there are ...........

(b) In 2. 7 equal to I quaver(s).

1.4 Tick (/) one box to show which bar is grouped correctly.

v
 (3)
1.5 Tick (1) or cross (X) each box to show whether rests are correct or incorrect.

↑
rr

/10
2 Pitch

(4)
2.1 Tick (w/) the box to select the name of each of these notes.

(a) D sharp r B sharp 0 A sharp

(b) Filat _ C flat E flat r G flat _

(c)
C double
flat
D double
flat
N B double
flat
D flat L

(d)
A double
sharp
r - double
sharp
A sharp 0 G sharp

(2)
2.2 Rewrite these notes in the given clefs, keeping the pitch the same.

(b)
& #O

Compare bars A, B and C, then circle TRUE or FALSE for each of the
two statements. (2)
2.3

(a) A and C are at the same pitch &

TRUE FALSE

(b) B is one octave higher than C O

TRUE FALSE

5 Turn the page

ABRSM Sample Paper 2020 Grade 4 ,
 2.4 Tick (w) one box for each of the following two questions to show to show the
correct enharmonic equivalent of each note.

(a):
r

/15
3 Keys and Scales

(1)
3.1 Tick (/) one box to show the correctly written key signature of C minor.

(1)
B major.
3.2 Tick (/) one box to show the correctly written key signature of

/
(3)
3.3 Circle the correct key of each of these three melodies.

(a) ⑨ B major G# minor E major C# minor

Bb major G minor
BEb
major Ab major

(c)
minor Ab major
BC minor Eb major

ABRSM Sample Paper 2020 Grade

 (2)
3.4 Circle TRUE or FALSE for each statement.

(a) This is the correctly written chromatic scale beginning on A TRUE

&
FALSE

(b) This is the correctly written chromatic scale beginning on Bb &

TRUE FALSE

(2)
3.5 Tick (v) one box for X and one box for Y to show which notes are needed
to complete the scale of G# harmonic minor.

F# 0 Ex r
Y N

Turn the page

ABRSM Sample Paper 2020 Grade 4 A
 (2)
3.6 Tick () one box for
each named scale, to show which scale is correctly written.

(a) Ab major, ascending®

(b) F# harmonic minor, descending

(4)

3.7 Look at this scale:

Circle TRUE or FALSE for each of the following four statements about this scale

(a) This is the correctly written scale of G harmonic minor, ascending

TRUE &
FALSE

(b) The largest interval between two notes next to each other is an augmented 2nd &
TRUE FALSE

(c) Removing the flat from the mediant would change this into a scale of G major X
TRUE FALSE

(d) The subdominant is A

TRUE &FALSE

ABRSM Sample Paper 2020 Grade 4 A 8

 /10
4 Intervals

(6)
4.1 Write notes to form the named intervals. Your note should be higher than the given note.

bd
(b) b8 (c)
(a) #O

diminished 5th
major 7th perfect 8th/8ve

ba
(e) #T (f) &
(d)

major 3rd augmented 4th

minor 6th

(4)
4.2 Circle the type of each interval.

(a) perfect major O

minor diminished augmented

(b) perfect &major minor diminished augmented

(c) perfect major &

minor diminished augmented

(d) perfect major minor diminished ⑦

augmented

ABRSM Sample Paper 2020 Grade 4 A Turn the page

5 Triads/Chords

(4)
5.1 Circle TRUE or FALSE for each of the following four statements.

(a) This is the subdominant triad in E major TRUE

& FALSE

(b) This is the tonic triad in Eb major &TRUE FALSE

This is the subdominant triad in minor

TRUE ⑥ FALSE

(d) This IS the dominant triad in G# minor

TRUE ⑥FALSE

5.2 Name each of these triads by writing I, IV or V in the boxes underneath.

¢# minor
A major
Db major

(c)
(b)
(a)

v IV
V

to name each chord.

5.3 Write either I, IV or V in each of the three boxes underneath this extract
The key is E minor.

v IV I

ABRSM Sample Paper 2020 Grade 4 A 10

 /10

6 Terms, Signs and Instruments

(3)

one box for each term.

6.1 Tick (v)
vite means:

00
come prima means.
maestoso means: - r

00
/
slow
as before
majestic quick

10 0
with some
freedom of time
broadening fairly quick
with passion
in the style of a march
gradually getting quicker
less movement
in the same way

(1)

to douce.
$.2 Circle one term that has a meaning similar

I
meno
deciso dolce

(1)

6.3 Circle the name of this ornament:

upper mordent
trill &
(5)

FALSE for each of the following five statements.

6.4 Circle TRUE or

alto clef
&
TRUE FALSE

(a) The viola uses the

(b) The bassoon is the

lowest-sounding woodwind instrument TRUE
&
FALSE

TRUE FALSE

(c) The trombone is the lowest-sounding brass instrument

③
TRUE FALSE
(d) The side drum produces sounds of indefinite pitch
TRUE FALSE
(e) The cello can be played 'senza sord.

11 Turn the page

ABRSM Sample Paper 2020 Grade 4 A
 /10
7 Music in Context

Look at this melody and then answer the questions that follow.

Tempo comodo

scherzando
espress.

(5)
7.1 Answer the following questions by writing numbers.

(a) In which bar is there an interval of a major 6th?

7
Bar............

(b) How many beats are there in a bar? 12 ..........

&F G A S
of the scale of D minor?
(c) Which bar contains the 1st, 3rd, 4th and 5th degrees
.... .... . . .

5
(d) Which bar has the same rhythm and articulation as bar 6? Bar
2
(e) In which bar is there a note marked staccatissimo? Bar........

7.2 Circle TRUE or FALSE for each of the following three statements about the melody. (3)

(a) This melody is marked to be played at a comfortable speed I

TRUE FALSE

(b) The rest in bar 8 is worth 10 demisemiquavers

TRUE & FALSE

(c) Bar 4 contains a 3-note descending chromatic scale

TRUE
&
FALSE

ABRSM Sample Paper 2020 Grade 4 A 12

 the same as bar 7? Tick (1) one box. (1)
7.3 Which of the following bars will sound

scherzando

scherzando

r
scherzando

(1)
7.4 Tick (w) one box to show bar 4 correctly rewritten in notes of half the value.

ABRSM Sample Paper 2020 Grade 4 A 13 End of exam