GRADE FIVE

POPULAR MUSIC THEORY EXAMINATION

Summer 2007
Time allowed: 3 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 left in the examination room. 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

Section 1: SCALES AND KEYS

Questions 1 - 5: 4 marks each. Max. Total: 20 marks

All scales should be written ascending only and using whole notes (semibreves). Q1. Write one octave ascending of the E Dorian modal scale, without using a key signature, in either the treble or bass clef.

Q2. Write one octave ascending of the F Mixolydian modal scale, without using a key signature, in either the treble or bass clef.

Q3. Using the correct key signature, write one octave ascending of the harmonic minor scale that has three sharps in the key signature. Use either the treble or bass clef.

Q4. Which scale has the following scale spelling: 1 3 4 5 5 7 8? Q5. Write the scale spelling of the Dorian modal scale.

Section 2: CHORDS
Q1. Write F#m6 in either the treble or bass clef.

Questions 1 - 5: 4 marks each. Max. Total: 20 marks

Q2. Name the following root position chord.

Q3. Write the G minor triad in 1st inversion, in either the treble or bass clef. Q4. Write the notes of the dominant 7th chord built from the C harmonic minor scale. Q5. What is the interval between the root note and the note of E in the C minor 6th chord?

Section 3: RHYTHM NOTATION

Q.1: 2 marks; Q.2 - 3: 4 marks each. Max.Total: 10 marks

Q1. Without changing the rhythm, re-write this bar so that the notes and rests are grouped correctly.

Q2. Using a clef and pitch of your choice, write a four-bar rhythm in 34 time. Use any combination of notes and rests, but include some eighth note (quaver) triplets, sixteenth notes (semiquavers) and two ties.

Q3. Using a clef and pitch of your choice, write a four-bar rhythm in 68 time. Use at least one tie and any combination of dotted quarter notes (dotted crotchets), quarter notes (crotchets), eighth notes (quavers), sixteenth notes (semiquavers) and some of their equivalent rests.

Section 4: KNOWLEDGE OF POPULAR MUSIC

Q1. See next page for this question. Q2. Name two hand-held percussion instruments.

Q.1: 7 marks; Q. 2 - 5: 2 marks each. Max. Total: 15 marks

Q3. Which clef does the trumpet use and what note would have to be written for it to sound the note C at standard (concert) pitch?

Q4. What does the symbol sfz tell the performer to do?

Q5. Write the direction that instructs a performer to repeat from the sign and then play to the end.

Section 4: KNOWLEDGE OF POPULAR MUSIC continued

musician or group of your choice from the list below: Elvis Presley Oasis Led Zeppelin Sting Michael Jackson Tina Turner

(Question 1)

Q1. Write a brief essay, of approximately 200 to 300 words, describing the musical career of ONE

The Sex Pistols The Beach Boys

Little Richard Otis Redding

The focus of the essay should be on: a) The main features of their music. b) An explanation of how their music was influenced by musicians from earlier periods. You should also include some information about: a) The development of their musical career, including significant dates. b) Group members and the instruments played, or the groups/musicians the musician has played with. c) Recordings, including hit singles and albums.

{If necessary, continue your essay on the reverse side of this sheet}

Section 5: HARMONY

Q.1 - 3: 4 marks each; Q. 4: 5 marks; Q. 5 6: 4 marks each. Max. Total 25 marks

Q1. Using chord symbols, write the various 7th chords that are built from each degree of the A major scale.

Q2. Using chord symbols, write the various 7th chords that are built from each degree of the C# natural minor scale.

Q3. In the chord progression below, identify the cadences that are created between: a) The two chords in bar 2. b) The two chords in bar 4.

||F#m7

Bm7

|C#m7

F#m7 |Bm7

G#m75|Bm7

F#m7 ||

Q4. Using at least three different chords, write a four-bar chord progression in the key of E major with the last two chords forming a I-V (imperfect) cadence.

||

||

Q5. Name a scale that could be used effectively for improvising over the chord progression below.

||Cm7

|Emaj7

Amaj7|Dm75

Gm7 |Cm7

||

Q6. Using at least three different chords, write a four-bar chord progression over which the E blues scale could be used for improvising.

||

||

Section 6: TRANSPOSITION

Q.1 - 2: 5 marks each. Max. Total 10 marks

Q1. Transpose the following chord progression into the key of G major.

||E || ||C#m ||

Dm75 |Gm7

Cm7 |Fm7

B7

|E |

|| || || ||
[END OF EXAM SCRIPT]

|
Amaj7|Emaj7

|
D#m75 |B7 G#7

Q2. Transpose the following chord progression into the key of F# minor.

|C#m |