General Music Theory…What do you know so far?

A Level Music requires you to know quite a bit about harmony and music theory so it is important that you know as much of this before you start the course.

1) Draw a treble and a bass clef

2) Can you give the definition of the following time signatures? For example:

4/4 = 4 crotchet beats in a bar

a. 9/8 =b. 2/4 =c. 3/2 =

3) Music is organised using key signatures and scales. Can you name me 4 different types of scales you might hear?

a. b. c. d.

4) For A Level music you need to know your key signatures for up to 3 sharps and flats. Can you identify the key signatures for the following examples?

a. b. c.

Write in the key signatures for the following keys:

F major G major Eb major

d. e. f.

5) Every major key has a relative minor linked to it. Do you know how we find that out? If you confident, then give the answers to the following.

a. Rel. minor of C major = b. Rel. minor of Bb major =

6) Can you name the four most common voices that are heard in a choir and arrange them in pitch order, highest being at the top

a.b.c.d.

7) In A Level Music we refer a lot to chords, using roman numerals.a. What chord (using roman numeral) do we usually describe as the tonic?

b. What chord (using roman numerals) do we usually describe as the dominant?

8) a. What 2 chords (using roman numerals) makes up a perfect cadence?

b. What 2 chords (using roman numerals) could make up an imperfect cadence?

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Try and attempt this without using the guidance and bring this back in for your first music lesson. This will give me a better understanding of your strengths and weaknesses.

However, we have included some support sheets if you have found any of this a little challenging. Do read through them and highlight any areas of concern so that this can be worked on at the start of next year.

It is imperative that you learn your key signatures!! You will not be able to complete AS music without learning both major and their minor equivalent for up to 3 sharps and flats. You will also need to be able to read and write chords so please have a good understanding of notation on the treble and bass clef.

Do visit http://www.musictheory.net or http://www.mymusictheory.comThey are brilliant websites with lots of lessons and tests, and by working through this, you will be in a great position to start Year 12.

Good Luck and see you in September!