GRADE TWO

POPULAR MUSIC THEORY EXAMINATION

Winter 2015
Time allowed: 2 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 handed to the invigilator with the examination script at the end of the examination.

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
info@examregistry.com
 Section 1: SCALES AND KEYS Q1-7: 5 marks each. Total: 35 marks

Q1. Write as letter names the notes of the major scale that has
the key signature of one flat.

Q2. Which scale consists of the notes B C# D E F# G A B?

Q3. Write the key signature of D major in either the treble or bass clef.

Q4. Using the key signature of one flat, write

one octave ascending of the appropriate
pentatonic minor scale as whole notes
(semibreves) in either the treble or bass
clef.

Q5. Which scale is this?

Q6. Write the scale spelling of the natural minor scale.

Q7. Which scale has this scale spelling: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8?

Section 2: CHORDS Q1-6: 5 marks each. Total: 30 marks

Q1. Write as letter names the chord tones of Bm7.

Q2. Write the chord symbol for the chord that consists of the
chord tones F A C E.

Q3. Without using a key signature, write A7 as whole notes (semibreves) in either
the treble or bass clef.

Q4. Write the chord symbol for this chord.

Q5. Write the chord spelling of the major 7th chord.

Q6. Which type of chord has this chord spelling: 1 3 5 ♭7?

 Section 3: RHYTHM NOTATION Q1-3: 1 mark each; Q4-6: 2 marks each; Q7: 4 marks. Total: 13 marks

Q1. Write the symbol for a dotted eighth note (quaver) on any pitch.

Q2. How many beats does this type of

rest receive in 34 time?

Q3. How many of this type of note are

required to fill a bar in 34 time?

Q4. Insert the appropriate rest or rests in the spaces marked ∗ to complete these bars.

Q5. Re-write this rhythm correctly.

Q6. Re-write this rhythm correctly.

Q7. Write four different bars of rhythm in 34 time. Only include the following types of notes on any pitch and
some of their equivalent rests: dotted quarter notes (dotted crotchets); quarter notes (crotchets); dotted
eighth notes (dotted quavers); eighth notes (quavers); and 16th notes (semiquavers).
 Section 4: KNOWLEDGE OF POPULAR MUSIC Q1–4: 3 marks each. Total: 12 marks

Q1. Name two famous songs recorded by Madonna.

Q2. Is Chuck Berry’s style better described as ‘rhythm and blues’ or ‘progressive rock’?

Q3. State whether David Bowie was born in Great Britain or America.

Q4. In which decade did Led Zeppelin first have commercial success?

Section 5: HARMONY Q1: 3 marks; Q2: 1 mark; Q3–5: 2 marks each. Total 10 marks

Q1. Name three triads in the key of C major.

Q2. On which degree of the C major scale does

the F major triad occur?

Q3. Which triad is built on the 5th degree of the C major scale?

Q4. What is the technical term for the triad built on the
1st degree of the major scale?

Q5. Which of these triads is NOT built from the C major scale:
C minor, D minor, E minor, F major, G major or A minor?

[END OF EXAM SCRIPT]