Music Theory Sample Paper 2021 Grade 4A

Exam duration: 2 hours maximum

1 Rhythm /to

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

(a) 3 6 c
4 8

4 6 3
8 t6 8

t2 I 4
8 4 2

1.2 Here is a bar in simple time: (1)

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

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

(a) ln p" there are ............ dotted-quaver beats in a bar.

r--3-r
(b) ln b, ). )) is equal to ............ minim(s).

1.4 Tick (y') one box to show which bar is grouped correctly. (1)

33
 t5 Tick (y') or cross (X) each box to show whether the rests are correct or incorrect. (3)

2 Pitch /to

2.1 Tick (y') the box to select the name of each of these notes. <4)

A x-o-
(a)FDsharptr D double
sharp
D double
f lat
F double [--1
sharp I I

(b)ffi Csharptr D sharp tr B sharp tr B double

sharp
fio
A double double
(c)
rrI
sharp
Fflat tr F
flat L-J
A double
f lat

Vo+
Ab*
,"r-
_D- Cflat tr C sharp tr Aflat tr Bflat tr

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

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

(a) A and B are at the same pitch TRUE FATSE

(b) C is one octave higher than B TRUE FATSE

ABRSM Sample Paper 2O2lGrade 4 A Turn the pase

2.4fick(y') one box for each of the following two questions to show the (2)
correct enharmonic equivalent of each note.

b* b-
rur9_ :tr :tr
(b)H
ob=
-tr

3 Keys and Scales /ts

Tick (y') one box to show the correctly written key signature of E major. (1)

@ryffi4
trtrtrtr
3.2 Tick (y') one box to show the correctly written key signature of F minor. (1)

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

(a) Eh major Bh minor Bb major Db major

E major C# minor B major A major

B minor D major Ff minor B major

Paoer2O2l 4A
 3.4 Circle TRUE or FALSE for each statement. (2)

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

(b) This is the correctly written chromatic scale beginning on Bh TRUE FALSE

3.5 Tick (y') one box for X and one box for Y to show which notes are needed (2)
to complete the scale of Gf melodic minor.

xt

x AE A#E F#E FE
iY F.E FE GE F#E
.

ABRSM Sample Parrr 2O21Grade 4 A Turn the page

 3.6 Tick (y') one box for each named scale, to show which scale is correctly written.
Q

(a) Dh major, descending

(b) F# melodic minor, ascending

fi+-

#=

3.7 Look at this scale: (4)

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

(a) The largest interval between two notes next to each other is a major 2nd TRUE FALSE

(b) The subdominant is D sharp TRUE FALSE

(c) There are two pairs of semitones in this scale TRUE FALSE

(d) This is the correctly written scale of C# harmonic minor, ascending

TRUE FATSE

ABRSM Sample Paper 2021Grade 4 A

4 lntervals /to

4l Write notes to form the named intervals. Your note should be higher than the given note. (6)

(a)

perfect 5th diminished 4th augmented 2nd

(e)

minor 6th major 7th minor 3rd

4.2 Circle the type of each interval. (4)

perfect major minor diminished augmented

perfect major mrnor diminished augmented

perfect maJor mrnor diminished augmented

,orffi perfect maJor minor diminished augmented

ABRSM S npb hperfrZlGtade4 A Turn the Daqe

 5 Triads/Chords /to

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

This is the tonic triad of Gfi minor TRUE FALSE

(b)ffi This is the subdominant triad of Ah major TRUE FALSE

This is the dominant triad of B minor TRUE FALSE

(d) This is the subdominant triad of Ffi minor TRUE FATSE

5.2 Name each of these triads by writing l, lV or V in the boxes underneath. (3)

C# minor E minor major

,orffi
Bh

5.3 Write either l, lV or V in each of the three boxes underneath this extract to name each chord. (3)
The key is E major.

ffi
t2)
t
5! v t'
Jr
I

) )

trtr
ABRSM Sample Paper 2O2l Grade 4 A .r0
6 Terms, Signs and lnstruments /to

6.1 Tlck (y') one box for each term. (3)

stringendo means: Alla Marcia means: dolce means:

gradua ly getting faster

I
tr with a minim beat tr pleasant
tr
gradual ly getting slower
tr as before tr tenderly tr
gradual ly getting louder
tr in the same way tr sweet tr
gradually getting softer
tr in the style of a march T sad tr

6.2 Circle one term that has a meaning similar to retenu. (1)

ritmico rubato rit. risoluto

6.3 Circle the name of this ornament: l' (1)

upper turn lower mordent trill upper mordent

6.4 Circle TRUE or FALSE for each of the following five statements. (s)

(a) The bassoon is the lowest-sounding brass instrument TRUE FATSE

(b) 'sul G' means to play on the G string TRUE FATSE

(c) The bass drum produces sounds of definite pitch TRUE FAtsE

(d) The viola normally uses the alto clef TRUE FAtsE

(e) The trombone can be played 'con sord.' TRUE FALSE

AB*SM Sarph Paper 2O21 Grade 4 A Turn the Dase

7 Music in Context

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

Allegro maestoso

senza rall.

pp cresc. ,w cresc.

-p

7:l Answer the following questions by writing numbers.

(a) ln which bar is there a tie? Bar............

(b) ln which bar is there an accent? Bar............

(c) How many bars contain a semiquaver rest?

(d) Which bar contains the quietest note? Bar ............

(e) How many demisemiquavers is the first note of bar 2 worth?

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

(a) The melody begins on the third beat of the bar TRUE FATSE

(b) The melody stays at the same speed throughout TRUE FATSE

(c) The melody begins and ends in the key of D minor TRUE FATSE

ABRSM Sample Paper 2021Grade 4 A 12

7.3 Which of the following bars will sound the same as bar 6? Tick (y') one box. (1)

cresc.

cresc.

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

ABRSM Samole Parer2O21Grade 4 A 13 End of exam