Preparatory Theory

Preparatory Theory Examination
Examination length: 45 mins
 
The Preparatory Theory examination tests candidates’ understanding of basic elements of musical notation. The material covered in this examination is recommended as concurrent study for students in Preparatory A and Preparatory B practical examinations.
 
Pitch
  • treble and bass clefs
  • grand staff
  • names of notes
  • names and use of ledger lines (up to two above and below the treble clef and up to two above and below the bass clef)
  • matching notes to a keyboard picture
  • accidentals (sharp, flat, natural)
  • semitones (half steps) and whole tones (steps)

Example: “For each of the following pairs of notes, circle the note which sounds LOWER.” (Two notes on a staff would be given.)
 
Rhythm
  • time values of notes and rests up to eighths
  • dotted notes (half and quarter)
  • time signatures: 2/4, 3/4, and 4/4
  • bar lines in simple time
  • addition of a time signature, bar lines, or rests to a single line of music
Example: “Add the correct time signature at the beginning of each excerpt”
(A simple rhythmic sample would be given)
Example: “Add bar lines to the following excerpt”
(A simple rhythmic sample with a time signature would be given)
Example: “Draw a line to match the RESTS with the NOTES of equal time value.”
 
Scales (keys up to and including one sharp and flat)
  • tonic notes (for the above scales)
  • major scales
  • key signatures (for the above scales)

Example: “Draw a Treble clef and write an F major scale with either key signature or accidentals.”
(A blank staff would be given.)
 
Intervals
  • all intervals up to and including an octave (numerical size only)

Example: “Name the size of the following intervals.”
(Intervals on a staff would be given)
 
Triads (keys up to and including one sharp and flat)

  • triads in root position on the tonic of major scales (in close position only)


Example: “Draw the following tonic triad: G major.”
(A blank staff with a clef would be given.)
 
Analysis
  • candidates will be asked to analyse a musical composition of no longer than eight measures, to identify or explain any of the required elements from Preparatory Theory

Example: “Analyse the following piece of music by answering the questions below:

  • What is the tempo marking?
  • Circle a double bar line.
  • Name the note in the box.”

(Sample questions based on a short piece of music on the grand staff)

 
Musical Terms and Signs

Candidates will be asked to define musical terms or signs from the following list. Candidates will also be asked to recognize these terms and signs in a music example. The definitions and translations given below are acceptable for theory examinations, but candidates may also use any definitions and translations found in standard rudiments textbooks, music dictionaries, or other music reference books.
Terms Definitions or translations
mezzo piano, mp moderately soft
mezzo forte, mf moderately loud
piano, p soft
forte, f loud
crescendo, cresc. becoming louder
decrescendo, descresc. becoming softer
diminuendo, dim. becoming softer
staccato sharply detached
legato smoothly
allegro fast
moderato at a moderate tempo
andante slow; at a walking pace
largo very slow
ritardando, rit. slowing down gradually

Example: “Circle the correct answer for each of the following questions:”
(For example: “Which of these terms means to play the loudest?” and a choice of options will be given)

Signs

|
 bar line
measure/bar: a unit of musical time
double bar line

repeat signs: repeat the music within the double bars

 pause: (fermata) hold the note or rest longer than its written value.
slur: play the notes legato
tie: hold for the combined value of the tied notes
crescendo: becoming louder
decrescendo: becoming softer

Example: “Draw the MUSICAL SIGN for each of the following items:”
Piano Etudes 1
Etude no. 1: Robins Niamath, L.
Etude no. 2: A Porcupine Dance, op. 89, no. 8 Kabalevsky, D.
Etude no. 3: Study in C Major, op. 777, no. 3 Czerny, C.
Etude no. 4: Morning Greeting, op. 117, no. 13 Gurlitt, C.
Etude no. 5: Martellato and Forte-Piano Papp, L.
Etude no. 6: Hunting Horns Oesten, T.
Etude no. 7: Both Ways Tansman, A.
Etude no. 8: The Bear Rebikov, V.I.
Etude no. 9: Kites Niamath, L.
Etude no. 10: Prelude for Aries Owens, T.W.
Etude no. 11: Ins and Outs Sheftel, P.
Etude no. 12: Little Mouse Lefeld, J.
Etude no. 13: Woodland Scene Aubry, L.

Piano Etudes 2
Etude no. 1: Study in G Major Gedike, A.
Etude no. 2: Study in G Major, op. 166, no. 6 Bertini, H.
Etude no. 3: Study in A Minor Kadosa, P.
Etude no. 4: Study in C Major, op. 261, no. 3 Czerny, C.
Etude no. 5: Study in C Major Berkovich, I.
Etude no. 6: Kangaroos Krausas, V.
Etude no. 7: Irish Jig Hansen, J.
Etude no. 8: Butterflies Niamath, L.
Etude no. 9: Skipping Rope Khachaturian, A.
Etude no. 10: The Wind Tan, C-H.
Etude no. 11: Moon through the Window Goud, S.
Etude no. 12: Tram Stop Norton, C.

Piano Etudes 3
Etude no. 1: Bike Ride Raphling, S.
Etude no. 2: Arabesque, op. 100, no. 2 Burgmüller, J.F.
Etude no. 3: Inter-city Stomp Norton, C.
Etude no. 4: Minuet Bartók, B.
Etude no. 5: The Young Shepherd's Song, op. 28, no. 3 Maikapar, S.
Etude no. 6: Study in D Minor, op. 261, no. 53 Czerny, C.
Etude no. 7: Having Fun Türk, D.G.
Etude no. 8: Two Ants Blok, V.
Etude no. 9: Undaunted, op. 197, no. 7 Gurlitt, C.
Etude no. 10: Chinese Kites Fitch, G.
Etude no. 11: The Doll Tansman, A.
Etude no. 12: Study in E Minor, op. 32, no. 12 Gedike, A.
Etude no. 13: Rush Hour Paterson, L.

Piano Etudes 4
Etude no. 1: Study in G Major, op. 599, no. 45 Czerny, C.
Etude no. 2: Study in G Major, op. 36, no. 26 Gedike, A.
Etude no. 3: Study in B flat Major, op. 599, no. 83 Czerny, C.
Etude no. 4: Game Balázs, A.
Etude no. 5: The Avalanche, op. 45, no. 2 Heller, S.
Etude no. 6: The Wagtail, op. 100, no. 11 Burgmüller, J.S.
Etude no. 7: Adults Snowdon, J.
Etude no. 8: You're Joking! Crawley, C.
Etude no. 9: Progress, op. 100, no. 6 Burgmüller, J.F.
Etude no. 10: Study in C Major, op. 176, no. 24 Duvernoy, J-B
Etude no. 11: Skating Tansman, A.
Etude no. 12: Sailing Along Karp, D.
Etude no. 13: Scherzo Paterson, L.
Etude no. 14: Syncopated Dance Bartók, B.
Etude no. 15: Blues No. 1 Norton, C.

Piano Etudes 5
Etude no. 1: Allegro in C Major Bach, J.C.F.
Etude no. 2: Prelude, op. 39, no. 19 Kabalevsky, D.
Etude no. 3: Study in A flat Major, op. 37, no. 44 Lemoine, A.H.
Etude no. 4: Blues "Mignon" Eurina, L.
Etude no. 5: Sweet Sorrow, op. 100, no. 16 Burgmüller, J.F.
Etude no. 6: The Hunt, op. 100, no. 9 Burgmüller, J.F.
Etude no. 7: The Little Fly Takács, J.
Etude no. 8: Study in D Minor, op. 65, no. 40 Loeschhorn, C.A.
Etude no. 9: Study in D Major, op. 125, no. 12 Heller, S.
Etude no. 10: Study in C Major, op. 32, no. 16 Gedike, A.
Etude no. 11: Vivo Kadosa, P.
Etude no. 12: In the Forest, op. 51, no. 4 Rebikov, V.
Etude no. 13: Staccato Prelude, op. 31, no. 6 Maikapar, S.

Piano Etudes 6
Etude no. 1: Prelude in C Minor, BWV 999 Bach, J.S.
Etude no. 2: Toccatina, op. 27, no. 12 Kabalevsky, D.
Etude no. 3: Entrée in G Minor, HWV 453 Handel, G.F.
Etude no. 4: Study in E Minor, op. 132, no. 1 Gurlitt, C.
Etude no. 5: Barcarolle, op. 138, no. 5 Heller, S.
Etude no. 6: Toccatina Henderson, R.W.
Etude no. 7: Study in E Minor, op. 29, no. 14 Bertini, H.
Etude no. 8: Fluttering Leaves, op. 46, no. 11 Heller, S.
Etude no. 9: Dance Shostakovich, D.
Etude no. 10: Abenddämmerung / Dusk, op. 138, no. 3 Heller, S.
Etude no. 11: Playing Ball Finney, R.L.
Etude no. 12: A Little Song, op. 47, no. 4 Fuchs, R.
Etude no. 13: Game of Patience, op. 25, no. 2 Karganov, G.

Piano Etudes 7
Etude no. 1: Etude in E Minor, op. 29, no. 16 Bertini, H.
Etude no. 2: Toccatina, op. 8, no. 1 Maikapar, S.
Etude no. 3: Grief, op. 47, no. 15 Heller, S.
Etude no. 4: In a Great Hurry, op. 95, no. 3 Takács, J.
Etude no. 5: Kitten Chatman, S.
Etude no. 6: Etude in C Minor, op. 29, no. 7 Bertini, H.
Etude no. 7: Study in G Major, op. 132, no. 7 Gurlitt, C.
Etude no. 8: Study in G Major, op. 3, no. 3 Schmidt, J.
Etude no. 9: Little Prelude in F Major, BWV 927 Bach, J.S.
Etude no. 10: A Sort of Rondo Balázs, A.
Etude no. 11: Fantastic Dance, op. 124, no. 5 Schumann, R.
Etude no. 12: Dance, op. 27, no. 27 Kabalevsky, D.
Etude no. 13: Etude, op. 27, no. 3 Kabalevsky, D.

Piano Etudes 8
Etude no. 1: Little Bird, op. 43, no. 4 Grieg, E.
Etude no. 2: Capriccio, HWV 483 Handel, G.F.
Etude no. 3: Toccatina, op. 95, no. 12 Takács, J.
Etude no. 4: Dance of the Marionettes Tarenghi, M.
Etude no. 5: Morning Bell, op. 19, no. 9 Burgmüller, J.F.
Etude no. 6: The Gypsies, op. 109, no. 4 Burgmüller, J.F.
Etude no. 7: Spider on the Ceiling Goud, S.
Etude no. 8: Etude in E Major, op. 47, no. 16 Heller, S.
Etude no. 9: Song of the Waterfall Loeschhorn, C.A.
Etude no. 10: Little Toccata Dolin, S.
Etude no. 11: Etude in D Minor, op. 45, no. 15 Heller, S.
Etude no. 12: Allegro, op. 23/f, no. 5 Kadosa, P.
Etude no. 13: Etude, op. 27, no. 24 Kabalevsky, D.

Piano Etudes 9
Etude no. 1: Study in E Minor, op. 39, no. 2 Cramer, J.B.
Etude no. 2: Study in A Minor, op. 61, no. 13 Berens, H.
Etude no. 3: Study in F Major, op. 61, no. 8 Berens, H.
Etude no. 4: Study in C Major, op. 533, no. 1 Czerny, C.
Etude no. 5: Etude in G Major, op. 47, no. 24 Heller, S.
Etude no. 6: Song without Words, op. 102, no. 3 Mendelssohn, F.
Etude no. 7: Study in E flat Major, op. 91, no. 6 Moszkowski, M.
Etude no. 8: Study in F Major, op. 61, no. 10 Berens, H.
Etude no. 9: Scherzo, op. 19, no. 2 Gade, N.
Etude no. 10: Bagatelle, op. 6, no. 2 Bartók, B.
Etude no. 11: Study in C Major, op. 120, no. 10 Duvernoy, J-B.
Etude no. 12: Suite No. 8 in F Minor, HWV 433 (Allemande and Gigue) Handel, G.F.
Etude no. 13: Study in E flat Major, op. 91, no. 17 Moszkowski, M.

Piano Etudes 10
Etude no. 1: Study in A Minor, op. 740, no. 41 Czerny, C.
Etude no. 2: Prelude in C sharp Minor, op. 81, no. 10 Heller, S.
Etude no. 3: Serenade, op. 53, no. 5 Haberbier, E.
Etude no. 4: Study in A Minor, op. 61, no. 32 Berens, H.
Etude no. 5: Study in C Major, op. 72, no. 4 Moszkowski, M.
Etude no. 6: Etude, op. 2, no. 1 Scriabin, A.
Etude no. 7: Study in F Major, op. 299, no. 12 Czerny, C.
Etude no. 8: A Trifle, op. 2, no. 12 Lyadov, A.K.
Etude no. 9: Etude in E Minor, op. 67, no. 5 Loeschhorn, C.A.
Etude no. 10: Étude-tableaux, op. 33, no. 8 Rachmaninoff, S.
Etude no. 11: Study in C Major, op. 120, no. 13 Duvernoy, J-B.
Etude no. 12: Study in C Major, op. 91, no. 15 Moszkowski, M.
Etude no. 13: Bagatelle, op. 6, no. 5 Bartók, B.
Etude no. 14: Gallop Tsitsaros, C.
This site has been optimized for Microsoft Internet Explorer 5+, Netscape 6.2+ and AOL 8.0+
© Copyright 2007. National Music Certificate Program.
Site designed by SilverBlaze Solutions Inc.