GRADE TWO

POPULAR MUSIC THEORY EXAMINATION

Summer 2016
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.

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Section 1: Scales and Keys Q1-7: 5 marks each. Total: 35 marks

Q1. Write as letter names the notes of the

pentatonic major scale that has the
key signature of two sharps.

Q2. Which scale consists of the

notes D E F G A B♭ C D?

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

Q4. Using the key signature of two sharps, write one octave ascending of the appropriate natural 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

pentatonic 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 Dm7.

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 C7 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

minor 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 16th note (semiquaver) on any pitch.

Q2. How many quarter notes (crotchets) are

equivalent to a dotted half note (minim)?

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 44 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

Led Zeppelin.

Q2. Have The Beatles performed a cover

version of a Chuck Berry song?

Q3. Name the stage character David Bowie

invented in 1972.

Q4. In which decade did Madonna first have a

hit record?

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 G major triad occur?

Q3. Which triad is built on the 6th degree of the

C major scale?

Q4. What is the technical term for the triad built

on the 4th degree of the major scale?

Q5. Which of these triads is NOT built from the

C major scale: C major, D major, E minor,
F major, G major or A minor?

[End of exam script]