Grade 5 - What you need to know...

Everything you needed to know for grades 1,2 3 & 4, with the addition of:

1 Irregular time signatures of 5 7 5 7 and the grouping of notes and rests within these times. Irregular

                                                     4 4 8 8  

   divisions of simple time values.

2 Tenor clef (C clef centred on 4th line). The identification of notes in the four clefs in any of the keys

   set for this grade (see below), and the transposition at the octave of a simple melody from any clef to

   another. The writing at concert pitch of a melody notated for an instrument in Bb, A or F, and vice versa

   (the interval of transposition up or down will be given). The writing in open score, using treble and bass

   clefs, of a passage for SATB written on two staves, and vice versa.

3 Scales and key signatures of all major and minor keys up to and including six sharps and flats. All

   simple and compound intervals from any note.

4 The identification of the 5 6 and 6 forms of the tonic, supertonic, subdominant and dominant chords in

                                                3 3              4  

  any of the keys set for this grade. The identification of the progression 6 5 (Ic-V) on the dominant note 

                                                                                                                                 4 3 

   in any of the keys set for this grade. The choice of suitable chords, using any recognized method of

   notation, at cadential points of a simple melody in the major key of C, G, D or F.

5 The composition of a simple melody of not more than eight bars, using a given opening and writing
   for a specific instrument (some choice will be given) or, at the candidate’s choice, the composition of
   a melody to given words. Appropriate performing directions relating to tempo, dynamics and
   articulation will be required.

6 More terms and signs. The recognition of ornaments, including the replacement of written-out
   ornamentation with the appropriate signs, but not vice versa. Questions about a passage of music
   written for voices or instruments appropriate to the grade will include questions on the types of voice
   and names of instruments, the clefs they use, instrument family groups and the basic way by which
   they produce sound, as well as points of general musical observation designed to test the candidate’s
   ability to apply theoretical knowledge to actual music.

Grade 4 - What you need to know...

Everything that you needed for grades 1, 2 & 3, with the addition of:

1 All simple and compound duple, triple and quadruple time signatures, and the grouping of notes and

   rests within these times. The breve and its equivalent rest. Double-dotted notes and rests. Duplets.

   Questions will include the composition of a four-bar rhythm or the composition

   of a rhythm to given words.

2 Alto clef (C clef centred on 3rd line). The identification of notes in the alto clef in any of the keys set for

   this grade (see below), and the transcription at the same pitch of a simple melody from the treble or the

   bass clef to the alto clef, and vice versa. Double sharp and double flat signs, and their cancellation.

   Enharmonic equivalents.

3 Scales and key signatures of all major and minor keys up to and including five sharps and flats, with

   both forms of minor scales. Technical names for the notes of the diatonic scale (tonic, super- tonic, etc.).

   Construction of the chromatic scale. All intervals, not exceeding an octave, between any two diatonic   

   notes in any of the keys set for this grade.

4 The identification and writing of triads (root position) on the tonic, subdominant and dominant notes in

   any of the keys set for this grade. The recognition of 5 (root position) chords on the tonic, subdominant

                                                                                                 3 

   and dominant notes in any of the keys set for this grade (the harmonic form of the scale will be used in

   minor keys).

5 More terms and signs, including the recognition and naming (but not writing out) of the trill, turn, upper

   and lower mordent, acciaccatura and appoggiatura. Questions about a passage of music will include

   simple related questions about standard orchestral instruments.

Grade 3 - What you need to know...

There are videos and exercises to help you through all areas of Grade 3. If you have any questions just ask! 

All that you needed to know for Grades 1 &2, with the addition of: 

1 Compound time signatures of 6 9 12 and the grouping of notes and rests within these times.

                                                         8  8  8

   The demisemiquaver and its equivalent rest. Questions will include the composition of a

   simple four-bar rhythm which may start on an upbeat.

2 Extension of the stave beyond two ledger lines. The transposition of a simple melody from the treble clef to the bass clef, or vice versa, at the octave.

3 Scales and key signatures of all major and minor keys up to and including four sharps and flats, including both harmonic and melodic forms of minor scales, with their tonic triads (root position), degrees (number only), and intervals above the tonic (number and type).

4 More terms and signs. The simple questions about a melody may include one on its phrase structure.

Grade 2 - What you need to know...

Once again, there are videos and exercises to help with all that you need to know. If you have a question, ask! 

All that you needed to know for Grade 1, with the addition of:

1 Simple time signatures of 2 3 4 3 and the grouping of notes and rests within these times. Triplets, and 

                                                  2 2 2 8 

   triplet note groups with rests. Questions will include the composition of simple four- bar rhythms

   starting on the first beat of the bar and using a given opening.

2 Extension of the stave to include two ledger lines below and above each stave.

3 Construction of the minor scale (harmonic or melodic). Scales and key signatures of the major keys of

   A, Bb and Eb, and the minor keys of A, E and D, with their tonic triads (root position), degrees (number

   only),and intervals above the tonic (by number only).

4 More terms and signs in common use.

Grade 1 - What you need to know...

Some of this may look completely new and slightly terrifying, but most of it, if not all of it, you will have come across in your pieces.  All of the areas are covered in the videos and there are exercises to go along with them. Any questions, find a member of staff and ask! 

1 Note values from a semiquaver to a semibreve, and rests from a semiquaver rest to a semibreve rest. 

        Tied notes. Single-dotted notes and rests.

2 Simple time signatures of  2 3 4 bar-lines and the grouping of the notes listed above within these

                                                        4 4 4 ,  

        times. Composition of a two-bar rhythm in answer to a given rhythm starting on the first beat of a

        bar.

3 The stave. Treble and bass clefs. Names of notes on the stave, including middle C in both clefs.

        Sharp, flat and natural signs, and their cancellation.

4 Construction of the major scale, including the position of the tones and semitones. Scales and key

        signatures of the major keys of C, G, D and F in treble and bass clefs, with their tonic triads (root

        position), degrees (number only), and intervals above the tonic (by number only).

5 Some frequently used terms and signs concerning tempo, dynamics, performance directions and

        articulation marks. Simple questions will be asked about a melody written in either treble or bass clef.