Official Examination Papers

2014 EDITION

Preparatory Rudiments

Includes examinations from

December 2013
May 2014
August 2014

Rudiments
The study of music theory provides the opportunity for students to identify and explore elements
already discovered through their practical musical experience and to establish the foundation for
musical experiences to come. It also builds aural awareness, develops analytical thinking, and
encourages creativity. In the study of Rudiments, students are introduced to the basic vocabulary
and notation conventions of musicthe building blocks of the musical language.
This book contains examination papers from the three most recent examination sessions, as well as
a fourth Additional Practice Paper. The questions contained in these papers reflect the requirements
outlined in the Theory Syllabus, 2009 Edition.
These papers are an invaluable resource for students preparing for the Preparatory Rudiments
examination. The questions will help students sharpen their skills and gain confidence in the
application of their knowledge. We hope that this book will assist students in the successful completion
of their examination and contribute to the ongoing development of their musicianship.
Dr. Janet Lopinski
Senior Director, Academic Programs

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Preparatory Rudiments
December 2013

Maximum
Marks
Points
allous

10

1 of 9

Your answers must be written in pencil

in the space provided.

Confirmation Number

Il faut que vous criviez vos rponses

au crayon dans lespace donn.

Total Marks

Numro de confirmation

1. Write the five notes indicated on the

1. crivez les cinq notes indiques sur le

keyboard directly on the staff below.

clavier directement sur la porte cidessous.

Copyright 2013 The Royal Conservatory Examinations

Preparatory Rudiments
December 2013

2 of 9

10

2. For each of the following pairs of notes,

2. Pour chacune des paires de notes suivantes,

10

3. a. Write the following intervals (numerical

3. a. crivez les intervalles suivants (taille

circle the note that sounds lower.

entourez la note qui sonne le plus grave.

size only) above each of the given notes.

b. Name the size (number only) of the

boxed intervals.

chiffre seulement) au-dessus de chaque

note donne.

b. Identifiez la taille (chiffre seulement) des

intervalles encadrs.

Preparatory Rudiments
December 2013
10

3 of 9

4. a. Dessinez larmature de sol majeur dans

4. a. Draw the key signature of G major in

the box.
Write the scale of G major descending
(going down). Use whole notes.
Circle one tonic note.

la bote.
crivez la gamme de sol majeur
descendante (vers le bas). Utilisez des
rondes.
Entourez une note tonique.

b. Draw the key signature of F major in the

box.
Write the scale of F major ascending
(going up). Use whole notes.
Circle one tonic note.

b. Dessinez larmature de fa majeur dans

la bote.
crivez la gamme de fa majeur
ascendante (vers le haut). Utilisez des
rondes.
Entourez une note tonique.

c. Write the scale of C major descending

(going down), starting on the given
note. Use whole notes.

c. crivez la gamme de do majeur

descendante (vers le bas), en partant de
la note donne. Utilisez des rondes.

Preparatory Rudiments
December 2013
10

4 of 9

5. Draw a line connecting each triad with its

name.

G major in the treble clef

sol majeur en clef de sol

C major in the bass clef

do majeur en clef de fa

F major in the treble clef

fa majeur en clef de sol

G major in the bass clef

sol majeur en clef de fa

F major in the bass clef

fa majeur en clef de fa

5. Tracez une ligne reliant chaque accord

son nom.

Preparatory Rudiments
December 2013
10

5 of 9

6. Circle the correct answer for each of the

6. Entourez la rponse correcte pour chacune

following.

des quivalences suivantes.

Preparatory Rudiments
December 2013
10

6 of 9

7. a. Add the correct time signatures below

the brackets.

b. Add bar lines to each of the following.

7. a. Ajoutez les chiffres indicateurs

appropris sous les crochets.

b. Ajoutez des barres de mesures chacun

des extraits suivants.

Preparatory Rudiments
December 2013
10

7 of 9

8. Draw one note that is equal in value to the

combined value of the given notes.

8. Dessinez une note qui est gale la valeur

combine des notes donnes.

Preparatory Rudiments
December 2013
10

8 of 9

9. For each of the following Italian terms,

9. Pour chacun des termes italiens suivants,

choose the correct definition.

Example/Exemple:
forte

choisissez la dfinition approprie.

loud

fort

soft
doux

mezzo piano

moderately slow
modrment lent

moderately soft
modrment doux

ritardando

slowing down gradually

en ralentissant peu peu

becoming softer
en diminuant

crescendo

becoming softer
en diminuant

becoming louder
en augmentant

legato

smooth
li

detached
dtach

moderato

fast
rapide

at a moderate tempo
tempo modr

Preparatory Rudiments
December 2013
10

9 of 9

10. A
nalyze the following piece of music by

10. A
nalysez le morceau de musique suivant en

answering the questions below.

rpondant aux questions ci-dessous.

a. Add the correct time signature directly on the music.

Ajoutez le chiffre indicateur appropri directement dans la partition.

fast

at a moderate tempo
b. The sign at letter A means to play:
rapide

tempo modr
Le signe indiqu la lettre A signifie de jouer :

loud

moderately loud
c. The sign at letter B means to play:
fort

modrment fort
Le signe indiqu la lettre B signifie de jouer :
d. Name the size (number only) of the interval in the box at letter C.
Identifiez la taille (chiffre seulement) de lintervalle encadr la lettre C.
e. Name the size (number only) of the interval in the box at letter D.
Identifiez la taille (chiffre seulement) de lintervalle encadr la lettre D.
f. Name the size (number only) of the interval in the box at letter E.
Identifiez la taille (chiffre seulement) de lintervalle encadr la lettre E.
g. The interval at letter F is a:

whole tone
semitone

ton entire
demi-ton
Lintervalle indiqu la lettre F est un :
h. How many measures are in this piece?
Combien de mesures y a-t-il dans ce morceau?
i. How many half notes are in this piece?
Combien de blanches y a-t-il dans ce morceau?
j. How many slurs are in this piece?
Combien de liaisons y a-t-il dans ce morceau?

Preparatory Rudiments
May 2014

Maximum
Marks
Points
allous

10

1 of 9

Your answers must be written in pencil

in the space provided.

Confirmation Number

Il faut que vous criviez vos rponses

au crayon dans lespace donn.

Total Marks

Numro de confirmation

1. Write the five notes indicated on the

1. crivez les cinq notes indiques sur le

keyboard directly on the staff below.

clavier directement sur la porte cidessous.

10

Copyright 2014 The Royal Conservatory Examinations

Preparatory Rudiments
May 2014
10

2 of 9

2. For each of the following pairs of notes,

2. Pour chacune des paires de notes suivantes,

circle the note that sounds lower.

entourez la note qui sonne le plus grave.

10

3. Name the size (number only) of the boxed

intervals.

11

#w

& w

3. Identifiez la taille (chiffre seulement) des

intervalles encadrs.

Preparatory Rudiments
May 2014
10

3 of 9

4. a. Add the correct key signature in the box

to create a G major scale.

Circle one tonic note.

4. a. Ajoutez larmature approprie dans

la bote pour faire une gamme de sol

majeur.
Entourez une note tonique.

b. Add the correct clef in the box to make

an F major scale.
Add the correct accidental.
Circle one tonic note.

b. Ajoutez la clef approprie dans la bote

pour faire une gamme de fa majeur.
Ajoutez laltration accidentelle
approprie.
Entourez une note tonique.

c. Add the correct clef in the box to create

a C major scale.
Circle one tonic note.

c. Ajoutez la clef approprie dans la bote

pour faire une gamme de do majeur.
Entourez une note tonique.

12

Preparatory Rudiments
May 2014
10

4 of 9

5. Write the following tonic triads in the

5. crivez les accords de tonique suivants

given clefs. Use whole notes.

dans les clefs donnes. Utilisez des rondes.

tonic triad of C major

accord de tonique de do majeur

tonic triad of G major

accord de tonique de sol majeur

tonic triad of C major

accord de tonique de do majeur

tonic triad of F major

accord de tonique de fa majeur

tonic triad of F major

accord de tonique de fa majeur

13

Preparatory Rudiments
May 2014
10

5 of 9

6. a. Draw the following rests.

6. a. Dessinez les silences suivants.

a half rest
une demi-pause
an eighth rest
un demi-soupir
a quarter rest
un quart de soupir

b. Name the following notes.

b. Identifiez les notes suivantes.

14

Preparatory Rudiments
May 2014
10

6 of 9

7. a. Add the correct time signatures below

the brackets.

b. Add bar lines to each of the following.

15

7. a. Ajoutez les chiffres indicateurs

appropris sous les crochets.

b. Ajoutez des barres de mesures chacun

des extraits suivants.

Preparatory Rudiments
May 2014
10

7 of 9

8. a. Draw one rest that is equal in value to

the combined value of the given rests.

b. Draw one note that is equal in value to

the combined value of the given notes.

16

8. a. Dessinez un silence qui est gal la

valeur combine des silences donns.

b. Dessinez une note qui est gale la

valeur combine des notes donnes.

Preparatory Rudiments
May 2014
10

8 of 9

9. Draw the following signs or symbols.

9. Dessinez les signes ou symboles suivants.

a fermata above the note

un point dorgue au-dessus de la note

a staccato above the note

un staccato au-dessus de la note

a slur above these notes

une liaison au-dessus de ces notes

a crescendo below these notes

un crescendo au-dessous de ces notes

a tie joining these notes

une liaison reliant ces notes

17

Preparatory Rudiments
May 2014
10

9 of 9

10. A
nalyze the following piece of music by

10. A
nalysez le morceau de musique suivant en

answering the questions below.

rpondant aux questions ci-dessous.

a. Add the correct time signature directly on the music.

Ajoutez le chiffre indicateur appropri directement dans la partition.
b. Name the key of this piece.
Identifiez la tonalit de ce morceau.
c. The sign at letter A means to play:

moderately soft

moderately loud
modrment doux
modrment fort
Le signe indiqu la lettre A signifie de jouer :
d. Name the size (number only) of the interval in the box at letter B.
Identifiez la taille (chiffre seulement) de lintervalle encadr la lettre B.
e. The sign at letter C means:

becoming louder

becoming softer
en augmentant

en diminuant
Le signe indiqu la lettre C signifie :
f. Name the note at letter D.
Identifiez la note la lettre D.
g. Name the size (number only) of the interval in the box at letter E.
Identifiez la taille (chiffre seulement) de lintervalle encadr la lettre E.
h. How many measures are in this piece?
Combien de mesures y a-t-il dans ce morceau?
i. Name the highest note in this piece.
Identifiez la note la plus aigu de ce morceau.
j. How many times is G played in this piece?
Combien de fois la note sol est-elle joue dans ce morceau?

18

Preparatory Rudiments
August 2014

Maximum
Marks
Points
allous

10

1 of 9

Your answers must be written in pencil

in the space provided.

Confirmation Number

Il faut que vous criviez vos rponses

au crayon dans lespace donn.

Total Marks

Numro de confirmation

1. Name each of the following notes and draw

a line connecting each note to its place on
the keyboard.

19

1. Identifiez chacune des notes suivantes et

tracez une ligne connectant chaque note

son emplacement sur le clavier.

Copyright 2014 The Royal Conservatory Examinations

Preparatory Rudiments
August 2014

2 of 9

10

2. For each of the following pairs of notes,

2. Pour chacune des paires de notes suivantes,

10

3. a. Write the following intervals (numerical

3. a. crivez les intervalles suivants (taille

circle the note that sounds higher.

entourez la note qui sonne le plus haut.

size only) above each of the given notes.

b. Name the size (number only) of the

boxed intervals.

chiffre seulement) au-dessus de chaque

note donne.

b. Identifiez la taille (chiffre seulement) des

intervalles encadrs.

20

Preparatory Rudiments
August 2014
10

3 of 9

4. a. Draw the key signature of F major in the

4. a. Dessinez larmature de fa majeur dans

box.
Write the scale of F major descending
(going down). Use whole notes.
Circle one tonic note.

la bote.
crivez la gamme de fa majeur
descendante (vers le bas). Utilisez des
rondes.
Entourez une note tonique.

b. Draw the key signature of G major in

the box.
Write the scale of G major ascending
(going up). Use whole notes.
Circle one tonic note.

b. Dessinez larmature de sol majeur dans

la bote.
crivez la gamme de sol majeur
ascendante (vers le haut). Utilisez des
rondes.
Entourez une note tonique.

c. Write the scale of C major ascending

(going up), starting on the given note.
Use whole notes.

c. crivez la gamme de do majeur

ascendante (vers le haut), en partant de
la note donne. Utilisez des rondes.

21

Preparatory Rudiments
August 2014
10

4 of 9

5. a. Draw the correct clef to form the

5. a. Tracez la clef approprie pour former les

following tonic triads.

accords de tonique suivants.

the tonic triad of C major

laccord de tonique de do majeur

the tonic triad of G major

laccord de tonique de sol majeur

b. Draw a bass clef.

Dessinez une clef de fa.
Write the tonic triad of G major.
crivez laccord de tonique de sol majeur.

c. Draw a treble clef.

Dessinez une clef de sol.
Write the tonic triad of F major.
crivez laccord de tonique de sol majeur.

d. Name this tonic triad.

Identifiez cet accord de tonique.

22

Preparatory Rudiments
August 2014
10

5 of 9

6. a. Draw the following rests.

6. a. Dessinez les silences suivants.

a quarter rest
un soupir
a half rest
une demi-pause
an eighth rest
un demi-soupir

b. Name the following notes.

b. Identifiez les notes suivantes.

23

Preparatory Rudiments
August 2014
10

6 of 9

7. Add the correct time signatures below the

brackets.

24

7. Ajoutez les chiffres indicateurs appropris

sous les crochets.

Preparatory Rudiments
August 2014
10

7 of 9

8. a. Draw one rest that is equal in value to

the combined value of the given rests.

Example/Exemple:

8. a. Dessinez un silence qui est gal la

valeur combine des silences donns.

b. Draw one note that is equal in value to

the combined value of the given notes.

25

b. Dessinez une note qui est gale la

valeur combine des notes donnes.

Preparatory Rudiments
August 2014
10

8 of 9

9. For each of the following Italian terms,

9. Pour chacun des termes italiens suivants,

choose the correct definition.

choisissez la dfinition approprie.

Example/Exemple:
forte

loud

fort

soft
doux

piano

moderately soft
modrment doux

soft
doux

crescendo

becoming louder
de plus en plus fort

becoming softer
en diminuant

moderato

moderately soft
modrment doux

at a moderate tempo
tempo modr

legato

smooth
li

detached
dtach

allegro

fast
rapide

very slow
trs lent

26

Preparatory Rudiments
August 2014
10

9 of 9

10. A
nalyze the following piece of music by

10. A
nalysez le morceau de musique suivant en

answering the questions below.

rpondant aux questions ci-dessous.

a. Add the correct time signature directly on the music.

Ajoutez le chiffre indicateur appropri directement dans la partition.
b. Name the composer of this piece.
Identifiez le compositeur de ce morceau.
c. The sign at letter A means to play:
Le signe indiqu la lettre A signifie de jouer :

soft

doux

moderately loud

modrment fort

d. Name the size (number only) of the interval in the box at letter B.
Identifiez la taille (chiffre seulement) de lintervalle encadr la lettre B.
e. Name the size (number only) of the interval in the box at letter C.
Identifiez la taille (chiffre seulement) de lintervalle encadr la lettre C.
f. The interval at letter D is a:
Lintervalle indiqu la lettre D est un :
g. How many half notes are in this piece?
Combien de blanches y a-t-il dans ce morceau?
h. How many quarter notes are in this piece?
Combien de noires y a-t-il dans ce morceau?
i. How many measures are in this piece?
Combien de mesures y a-t-il dans ce morceau?
j. Name the highest note in this piece.
Identifiez la note la plus aigu de ce morceau.

27

whole tone

ton entire

semitone

demi-ton

Preparatory Rudiments
Rough Work

28

Preparing for your theory examination?

The papers in this book are theory papers from past
examination sessions and an additional practice paper
that you can use to study and prepare for your theory
examination.
Did you know you can also have your practice paper assessed by
a member of the College of Examiners?
Any student may submit a practice paper for assessment. (You do not
have to be registered for a theory examination.) Your marked paper
will be scanned and emailed to you so you can review the results and
read the examiners comments. The results are for your reference only,
and will not count toward your official examination mark.
For more information about Practice Theory Assessments, including
submission deadlines, please visit our website:
Canada: examinations.rcmusic.ca
US: MusicDevelopmentProgram.org

The Royal Conservatory Official Examination Papers are invaluable resources for
ensuring thorough preparation for theory examinations. Each book contains three
official examinations and one practice examination. (Piano Pedagogy Written contains
three official examinations only, one for each level.) Along with the current edition,
the Official Examination Papers from the previous two years are also available for
sale, providing students with three sets of review materials.
Basic Rudiments
Intermediate Rudiments
Advanced Rudiments
Introductory Harmony
Basic Harmony
Intermediate Harmony
Advanced Harmony
Counterpoint
Analysis
History 1: An Overview
History 2: Middle Ages to Classical
History 3: 19th Century to Present
Piano Pedagogy Written (Elementary, Intermediate, Advanced)
Examination papers for Preparatory Rudiments are available online only.
Canada: examinations.rcmusic.ca/theory
US: MusicDevelopmentProgram.org
Official Examination Papers for Keyboard Harmony examinations
are printed once every three years and are available for sale.
Basic Keyboard Harmony
Intermediate Keyboard Harmony
Advanced Keyboard Harmony
For more information, or to find a retailer near you,
visit www.frederickharrismusic.com.