Grade 1 Practice Paper A

MUSIC THEORY PRACTICE PAPERS GRADE 1 - PAPER A This practice paper is for the ABRSM Grade 1 syllabus.

It contains 9 questions. You should answer them all.

You are allowed 1 and ½ hours to complete this paper which is out of 100.

Total marks:

/100

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GRADE 1 PRACTICE EXAM A

Question 1. a) Add the correct time signature to the extracts of music below.

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i)

ii)

iii)

b) The following extract is missing two rests at the places marked by a star ( * ). Add them in to complete each bar. *

*

Question 2. a) Give the letter name of the notes that are marked with a star ( * ) in the extract below. Don’t forget to include flat or sharp signs where they are needed. The first note has been done for you.

*

*

*

*

E …….

…….

…….

…….

*

*

……. …….

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*

*

*

…….

…….

…….

b) Draw a circle around two notes that are an interval of a 3rd apart. They should be next to each other.

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GRADE 1 PRACTICE EXAM A

Question 3. Write in below, the melodic intervals ( 2nd 3rd, 6th etc ) of each of these pairs of notes. The first one has been done for you.

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5th …………………

…………………

…………………

…………………

…………………

…………………

Question 4. Using semibreves ( whole notes ) write the scales indicated below. You should also add in the correct key signature for each scale.

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F major descending

D major ascending

Question 5. Write out in the correct order from quietest to loudest the following dynamics.

The first one has been done for you.

…………

…………

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…………

…………

…………

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…………

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GRADE 1 PRACTICE EXAM A

Question 6. Add in the correct clef so that the notes below are correct. The first one has been done for you.

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C

G

F#

A

G

Bb

B

D

C#

F

E

Question 7. a) Draw a circle around the lower note of the pairs of notes below.

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Question 7a continued on the next page‌

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GRADE 1 PRACTICE EXAM A

Question 7a continued‌

b) Out of the pairs of the notes below, draw a circle around the higher of the two.

Question 8. Tick one of the boxes that best describes each term/sign.

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Lento means:

rit. means:

poco means:

fast

gradually getting faster

a little

slow

gradually getting slower

without

very fast

gradually getting louder

with lots of

medium tempo

gradually getting softer

but

Fine. means:

means:

means:

the beginning

60 crotchets beats

gradually getting louder

good

60 crotchets notes

gradually getting quieter

repeat

60 crotchet beats per bar

legato

the end

60 crotchet beats a minute

gradually getting slower

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GRADE 1 PRACTICE EXAM A

Question 9. Take a look at the extract below and answer the questions.

This stave is for you to answer question b.

a) i) Write the letter name of the highest note in the above melody. ………………….

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ii) How many quavers (eighth notes) is the last note of the melody equal to? …………………. iii) How many bars contain four or more quavers (eighth notes)? …………………. iv) True or false, bars 1 and 5 have the same rhythm. …………………. v) Draw a circle around two notes next to each other that are an interval of a 4th apart.

b) Write out on the stave provided above, bars 1 - 4 ( from the beginning of bar 1 till the end of bar 4 ) exactly the same as in the extract. Don’t forget the clef, time signature, tempo markings, key signature or dynamics etc. Marks will be awarded for neatness.

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