Grade 5 Theory: Section 1
In these pages I will tackle how to address the Questions on a Grade 5 Theory paper!
Each question required specific background knowledge and understanding, which I will break down for you.
You can find the practice paper I am going through here. We are looking at paper A.
Section 1: Question 1
Grade 5 Music Theory Practice Papers.pdfI'll be referring to the keyboard a lot, so here is one!
Question 1a
ESSENTIAL REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE
Note and rest lengths
Time signatures
Addition (!)
How to use a ruler (I'm not joking here)
Simple vs Compound time
Duple, Triple and Quadruple time
What a chromatic scale is
Q1a i
USE A PENCIL
USE A RULER. You get marked on how neat you are
Make sure the barlines are ONLY on the stave - nothing overhanging
Add up the notes in groups if this helps. e.g. 4 semiquavers = 1 crotchet beat
All the 'common time' time signatures can be thought of as 4/4. Although 'Cut common time' is actually 2/2, as this means two minim beats this adds up to the same as 4/4. So in this question you need to add up to 4 before then drawing a barline WITH A PENCIL AND A RULER.
Q1 a ii
Simple, compound, duple, triple, quadruple is easy to work out when you have the information how to work it out. Look a the theory lesson to the left for all the details.
Q1 a iii
A chromatic scale is a scale where all the black and white notes of a keyboard are used, or all the frets on a guitar without missing one out.
To find a chromatic scale look for accidentals. To be sure where to bracket the six notes check on the keyboard pic above that each of the notes are a semitone apart. If you see a tone STOP!
Question 1b
ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED
Note names in treble and bass clef
Chord numbers
Inversions
HINT: Click down for the chord chart of Bb major
Take this task in stages:
1. Write out the chords for the key required. The key here is Bb major
The bass note or root is the same as the degree of the scale, so in C major I = C , V= G.
The third is two letters in the alphabet away from the root
The fifth is two letters away in the alphabet again
I need Bbs and Ebs due to the key signature, but not for chord II as this is major, so the Eb needs to be raised by 1 semitone.
2. Work out what notes are in the chord you are being asked about
Write them out! You need to include all the notes in the left hand chord chart.
Make sure you write them out from the lowest note on the stave up, in a column, This will help you a lot later
3. Decide which chord that therefore is (I II IV or V).
Compare your notes to the chart. Which one is it? Write down the roman numeral in your answer.
4. Work out the inversion.
Root position: If the Bass note/root is the lowest note in your written out chord an a 'a' to your answer e.g. Va
1st inversion: If the third is the lowest note write 'b' eg Vb
2nd inversion: If the fifth is the lowest note write 'c' e.g. Vc
Finished? Want the answers? Want more explantion?
Watch this video.