Grade 1
www.rockschool.co.uk
POPULAR
MUSIC THEORY
Workbook Model Answers
RSL-651146085587 / 1 / Peter Praveen Kamal / [email protected]
Acknowledgements
Published by Rockschool Ltd. © 2015
Catalogue Number RSK200012
Publishing
Written, compiled and edited by Simon Troup and Nik Preston.
Internal design and layout by Simon Troup, Digital Music Art.
Cover designed by Philip Millard, Philip Millard Design.
Printing
Printed and bound in the United Kingdom by Caligraving Ltd.
Distribution
Exclusive Distributors: Music Sales Ltd.
Contacting Rockschool
www.rockschool.co.uk
Telephone: +44 (0)845 460 4747
Email: [email protected]
RSL-651146085587 / 1 / Peter Praveen Kamal / [email protected]
Popular Music Theory – Grade 1 – Model Answers
2
Introduction
Welcome to Popular Music Theory Workbook Model Answers Grade 1. This books is a companion publication to the
Rockschool Popular Music Theory Workbook Grade 1, containing answers and example responses to the questions set in
the sample paper.
Book Format
The model answers in this book are summarised – for maximum benefit, candidates are encouraged to complete the sample
paper in the workbook first, and only then check responses against the model answers.
Answers and Responses
Where a definitive answer can be given to a question, the answer is provided in the same way it is expected in the
examination – through the ticking of a box, or by providing the name of the interval or chord. Other questions, which have
more scope for analysis and observation, require longer answers. In these cases the anwsers provided represent simulated
responses of the type expected at this grade. These should be insightful for both candidates and teachers in terms of both
the language used and the detail given.
Entering Rockschool Examinations
It’s now easier than ever to enter a Rockschool examination. Simply go to www.rockschool.co.uk/enter-online to book your
exam online today.
Syllabus Content Overview
An overview of the syllabus content covered at this grade can be found at the back of this book. As this is a cumulative
syllabus, you can download overviews for all grades from the Rockschool website at www.rockschool.co.uk/theory along with
other theory syllabus related resources.
Exam Format
The exam has four sections. These are:
■■Music Notation (20%)
In this section, all questions relate to music notation.
■■Popular Music Harmony (25%)
In this section, all questions relate to music harmony.
■■Band Knowledge (25%)
This section is in two parts, with each part covering a range of instruments:
1 – Model Answers
– Part 1: Identification
– Part 2: Notation and Techniques Popular Music Theory – GradeRSL-651146085587
■■Band Analysis (30%)
In this section, the questions will include the identification of music notation, harmony and the stylistic characteristics
of drums, guitar, bass, keys and vocals in a multi-instrumental context.
3
Grade 1 | Sample Paper
Section 1 | Music Notation Total marks for this section: 20
Mark:
Q 1.01 | Identify the missing time signature: (Tick one box) 1
§f
Q 1.02 | Identify the missing time signature: (Tick one box) 1
§d
Q 1.03 | Identify the missing note as indicated with a question mark: (Tick one box) 1
§q
RSL-651146085587 / 1 / Peter Praveen Kamal / [email protected]
§‰
Q 1.04 | Identify the missing rest as indicated with a question mark: (Tick one box) 1
Q 1.05 | Add the three note and rest values together and identify the matching note value: (Tick one box) 1
§ q.
Q 1.06 | Add the three note values together and identify the matching note value: (Tick one box) 1
§ h.
Popular Music Theory – Grade 1 – Model Answers
Q 1.07 | Which note has the same value as the written rest? (Tick one box) 1
§ q.
§ H.
Q 1.08 | Which rest has the same value as the written note? (Tick one box) 1
4
Sample Paper | Grade 1
Q 1.09 | The following scale is F major. Add the missing clef: 1
Q 1.10 | The following scale is G major. Add the missing clef: 1
Q 1.11 | How does a dot placed to the right of a notehead affect the note? (Tick one box) 1
§ It makes the note longer.
Q 1.12 | Which is the musical term for the following symbol? (Tick one box) 1
§ Crescendo
Q 1.13 | What is the meaning of the following musical symbol? (Tick one box) 1
§ Play quietly
1 – Model Answers
Q 1.14 | Which is the correct musical notation for the musical term ‘staccato’? (Tick one box) 1
Popular Music Theory – GradeRSL-651146085587
§ œ. œ œ œ œ
>
Q 1.15 | Which is the correct symbol for the musical term ‘decrescendo’? (Tick one box) 1
5
Grade 1 | Sample Paper
Q 1.16 | Circle the three consecutive notes that form the F major chord in the stave below: 3
Q 1.17 | Add a note of the correct length above each question mark so that each bar matches the time signature: 2
RSL-651146085587 / 1 / Peter Praveen Kamal / [email protected]
Popular Music Theory – Grade 1 – Model Answers
6
Sample Paper | Grade 1
Section 2 | Popular Music Harmony Total marks for this section: 25
Mark:
Q 2.01 | Write ‘S’ in the boxes between notes that are a Semitone apart: 2
S T T T S T T
Q 2.02 | Add a note to the right of each of the notes to create the requested melodic interval: 3
major 2nd [1] major 3rd major 3rd
Q 2.03 | Using whole notes, write a one-octave ascending scale of G major. Use accidentals instead of a 5
key signature:
Q 2.04 | Using whole notes, write a one-octave descending scale of F major. Use accidentals instead of a 5
key signature:
1 – Model Answers
Popular Music Theory – GradeRSL-651146085587
sing whole notes, write a one-octave ascending arpeggio in the major key shown by the key
Q 2.05 | U 5
signature below:
7
[1] Question revised (December 2015)
Grade 1 | Sample Paper
Q 2.06 | Circle the group of three notes that form a G chord: 1
G B D
Q 2.07 | Circle the group of three notes that form a C chord: 1
C E G
Q 2.08 | Circle the group of three notes that form an F chord: 1
RSL-651146085587 / 1 / Peter Praveen Kamal / [email protected]
F A C
Q 2.09 | C
ircle the major chord that shares its name with the key indicated by the key signature and clef. 2
Finally, add the chord name on the line below the stave:
G major
Popular Music Theory – Grade 1 – Model Answers
8
Sample Paper | Grade 1
Section 3 | Band Knowledge | Part 1 – Identification Total marks for this section: 25
Mark:
Q 3.01 | Which letter corresponds to the ride cymbal? (Tick one box) 1
§E
Q 3.02 | Which letter corresponds to the crash cymbal? (Tick one box) 1
§B
Q 3.03 | Which letter corresponds to the hi-hat? (Tick one box) 1
§A
Q 3.04 | What is the correct name for the part of the instrument labelled ‘A’? (Tick one box) 1
§ Body
Q 3.05 | What is the correct name for the part of the instrument labelled ‘B’? (Tick one box) 1
§ Neck
Q 3.06 | What type of instrument is shown in the image? 1
Bass guitar
Q 3.07 | Identify the correct statement below: (Tick one box) 1
§ A bass guitar has fewer strings than an electric guitar.
1 – Model Answers
Popular Music Theory – GradeRSL-651146085587
Q 3.08 | An electronic keyboard is often supplied with an external box wired with a plug. This is used to 1
supply the correct amount of electrical current to the keyboard. What is it called? (Tick one box)
§ Power adaptor
Q 3.09 | Identify the correct statement below: (Tick one box) 1
§ There are more white keys than black keys on a piano keyboard.
9
Grade 1 | Sample Paper
Q 3.10 | One of the white keys, found approximately in the centre of the keyboard, is commonly used as a 1
reference point on the keyboard. What is this note called? (Tick one box)
§ Middle C
Q 3.11 | Which part of the body has control muscles that allow a singer to change the shape and space of 1
their oral cavity, allowing them to form different sounds? (Tick one box)
§ Mouth
Q 3.12 | What tube allows air to pass through the oral cavity and into the organs with which you breathe? 1
(Tick one box)
§ Trachea
RSL-651146085587 / 1 / Peter Praveen Kamal / [email protected]
Q 3.13 | Which major organ allows you to breathe as well as sing? (Tick one box) 1
§ Lungs
Section 3 | Band Knowledge | Part 2 – Notation & Techniques
Q 3.14 | Which drum voice plays with the bass drum on the first beat of the bar? (Tick one box) 1
§ Crash
Q 3.15 | What does the circle over the third beat of the bar indicate? (Tick one box) 1
§ Open hi-hat
Popular Music Theory – Grade 1 – Model Answers
Q 3.16 | Do the stems for the cymbals go up or down? (Tick one box) 1
§ Up
Q 3.17 | Name the technique used on beats 1 & 2, indicated by a ‘slur’ in the notation: 1
Pull-off
Q 3.18 | Name the technique used on beat 3, indicated by a straight line in the notation: 1
Slide
10
Sample Paper | Grade 1
Q 3.19 | Describe how the articulation on the last note of the bar will affect the sound of the note: 1
The note duration will be shorter.
Q 3.20 | Which hand or hands play the melody? (Tick one box) 1
§ Left
Q 3.21 | Which hand or hands play staccato throughout? (Tick one box) 1
§ Right
Q 3.22 | What is the correct meaning of the term ‘legato’? (Tick one box) 1
§ Play smoothly
Q 3.23 | Add a staccato articulation to the final note of the bar. 1
Q 3.24 | Add a portamento articulation between the first two notes of the bar. 1
Q 3.25 | What is the correct meaning of the term ‘portamento’? (Tick one box) 1
§ Sing with a smooth pitch slide from the first to the second note.
1 – Model Answers
Popular Music Theory – GradeRSL-651146085587
11
Grade 1 | Sample Paper
Section 4 | Band Analysis Total marks for this section: 30
Mark:
The following 12 questions relate to the four-bar score below. Note that bar 4 has blank areas to be filled in as part
of the tasks below:
RSL-651146085587 / 1 / Peter Praveen Kamal / [email protected]
Q 4.01 | Name the note in bar 1 of the guitar part that is not found in the chord written above the bar: 1
F#
Q 4.02 | In the guitar part, add a symbol to indicate that the two eighth notes in bar 1 are played as a pull-off. 2
(Added to score)
Q 4.03 | Which scale does the guitar use to play its melody? 1
Popular Music Theory – Grade 1 – Model Answers
G major
Q 4.04 | In the bass part, add a slide symbol between the last note of bar 3 and the first note of bar 4. 2
(Added to score)
Q 4.05 | In the bass part, add the missing rest after the final note in bar 4. 2
(Added to score)
Q 4.06 | How many eighth notes would give the equivalent note value to the dotted note played by the bass 2
in bar 2? (Tick one box)
§3
12
Sample Paper | Grade 1
Q 4.07 | In the drum part, add a crescendo marking in bar 4 under beats 1 and 2, then a decrescendo under 4
beats 3 and 4.
(Added to score)
Q 4.08 | Add an open hi-hat indication to the first note of bar 2 and a closed hi-hat indication to the second 4
note of bar 2.
(Added to score)
Q 4.09 | Which is the correct statement? (Tick one box) 2
§ The ride cymbal is not played at all.
Q 4.10 | What are the two drum voices that play on the first note of bar 1? (Tick two boxes) 2
§ Bass drum
§ Crash cymbal
Q 4.11 | Add a hi-hat part to bar 4 in the following rhythm: 6
Two quarter notes followed by four eighth notes.
(Added to score)
Q 4.12 | In which bar does the bass guitar play the same rhythm as the bass drum and snare drum? [1] 2
(Tick one box)
§ Bar 1
1 – Model Answers
Popular Music Theory – GradeRSL-651146085587
13
[1] Question revised (January 2016)
