preparatory rudiments - the royal conservatory of music

Official Examination Papers2012 edition

Preparatory Rudiments

The Royal Conservatory, Official Examination Papers are invaluable resources for ensuring thorough preparation for theory examinations. Each book contains a combination of official and practice examinations that may be used to test knowledge and simulate the examination experience. Three editions of each of the titles below provide a rich source of review material and are available while quantities last.

Basic RudimentsIntermediate RudimentsAdvanced Rudiments

Introductory HarmonyBasic HarmonyIntermediate HarmonyAdvanced Harmony

Counterpoint

Analysis

History 1: An OverviewHistory 2: Middle Ages to ClassicalHistory 3: 19th Century to Present

Piano Pedagogy Written (Elementary, Intermediate, Advanced)

One edition of the following papers is also currently available:Basic Keyboard HarmonyIntermediate Keyboard HarmonyAdvanced Keyboard Harmony

Preparatory Rudiments (available online only)www.rcmexaminations.org

For more information or to find a retailer near you, visit www.frederickharrismusic.com.

Preparatory RudimentsThe formal study of theory allows students to identify and explore elements that already form the basis of their musical experience. It also builds aural awareness, develops analytical thinking, and encourages the creative impulse. The study of Rudiments introduces students to the basic elements and notational conventions of music—the building blocks of musical grammar.

Preparatory Rudiments, the first examination in the Rudiments stream, will launch students in their theoretical studies and provide an enriching context for their evolving practical studies.

This book contains the actual examination papers from the three most recent examination sessions. The questions contained in these papers reflect the requirements outlined in the Theory Syllabus, 2009 Edition. For the purposes of this publication, some questions may differ slightly from those on the original examinations.

These papers are an invaluable resource for students preparing to write the Preparatory Rudiments examination. The variety of questions students will encounter here will help them to sharpen their skills and gain confidence in the application of their knowledge. It is hoped that this book will assist students in the successful completion of their Preparatory Rudiments examination and contribute to the ongoing development of their musicianship.

Maria CaseChief Examiner, Theoretical Subjects Series Editor

Preparing for your theory examination?The papers in this book are actual theory papers from past examination sessions that you can use to study and prepare for your theory examination. Available now, Online Theory Worksheets!

Visit www.rcmusic.ca/digital-learning for details on content, pricing, and licensing.

Did you know you can also have your practice paper assessed by a member of the College of Examiners?

Any student may submit a practice paper for assessment. (You do not have to be registered for a theory examination.) Your marked paper will be scanned and emailed to you so you can review the results and read the examiner’s comments. The results are for your reference only, and will not count toward your official examination mark.

For more information about Practice Theory Assessments, including submission deadlines, please visit www.rcmexaminations.org.

AttentionComposers, artists, and editors rely on sales revenuesfrom this book to contribute to their livelihood.Photocopying the contents of this publication deprives the creators of due compensation. For this reason, the material in this publication is protected by copyright law. Please follow the intention of the law and do not photocopy. Reproduction of any part of this book without the permission of the publisher may lead to prosecution.

AttentionCompositeurs, artistes et editeurs comptent sur le revenu des ventes de ce livre. Photocopier le contenu de cette publication prive les créateurs d’une rémunération bien méritée. Pour cette raison, le contenu de cette publication est protégé par des lois concernant les droits d’auteur. Nous vous prions d’observer les intentions de ces lois et de ne pas photocopier. La reproduction de quelque partie de ce livre sans la permission de la maison d’édition peut conduire à des poursuites.

The Frederick Harris Music Co., Limitedwww.frederickharrismusic.com

(416) 673-1426Printed in Canada

273 Bloor Street WestToronto, OntarioCanada M5S 1W2Imprimé au Canada

We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Canada Book Fund (CBF) for our publishing activities.

1


Your answers must be written in pencil in the space provided.

Maximum Marks

Confirmation Number

© Copyright 2012 The Royal Conservatory Examinations

1 of 7

1. Name each of the following notes and draw a line connecting each note to its place on the keyboard.

10

2. For each of the following pairs of notes, circle the note that sounds lower.10

Total Marks

December 2011

MI DDLE

C

2

Preparatory RudimentsDecember 2011

3. a. Name the size (number only) of the boxed intervals.

b. Write the following intervals (numerical size only) above each of the given notes.

10

2 of 7

3


4. a. Write the scale of C major ascending (going up), starting on the given note.

b. Draw the key signature of F major in the box. Write the scale of F major ascending (going up). Use whole notes. Circle one tonic note.

c. Draw the key signature of G major in the box. Write the scale of G major descending (going down). Use whole notes. Circle one tonic note.

10

3 of 7

4


5. Draw a line connecting each triad with its name.

6. a. Draw a line connecting each note with a rest of the same value.

b. Name this type of note.

10

10

4 of 7

F major in the treble clef

G major in the bass clef

C major in the bass clef

G major in the treble clef

F major in the bass clef

5


7. a. Add the correct time signature below the brackets.

b. Add bar lines to each of the following.

10

5 of 7

6


8. a. Draw one note that is equal in value to the combined value of the given notes.

Example: =

b. Draw two rests that are equal in value to the given rest.

Example: =

10

6 of 7

=

=

=

=

=

9. Circle the correct meaning of each Italian term. Example: allegro fast slow

legato smoothly detached

crescendo becoming softer becoming louder

largo soft very slow

mezzo piano moderately loud moderately soft

ritardando slowing down gradually detached

10

7


10. Analyse the following piece of music by answering the questions below.

a. Write the correct time signature directly on the music.

b. Name the composer of this piece.

c. Explain the meaning of .

d. Circle the name of the symbol in the box at letter A. sharp flat natural

e. Name the size (number only) of the interval in the box at letter B.

f. Name the size (number only) of the interval in the box at letter C.

g. How many measures are in this piece?

h. How many slurs are in this piece?

i. Circle the highest note.

j. Name the lowest note.

10

7 of 7

8

Preparatory RudimentsRough Work

MI DDLE

C

9



Maximum Marks

Confirmation NumberMay 2011

May 2012

Total Marks

1. Name the following notes.

2. Write a whole tone (whole step) above each of the following notes.

10

10

1 of 6

© Copyright 2012 The Royal Conservatory Examinations

10

Preparatory RudimentsMay 2012

3. Name the size (number only) of each of the following intervals.

4. Draw each of the following notes and rests:

half note

eighth note

whole rest

quarter rest

half rest

10

10

2 of 6

11

Preparatory RudimentsMay 2012 3 of 6

5. a. Draw the key signature of F major in the box. Circle two tonic notes.

b. Draw the key signature of G major in the box. Circle one tonic note.

Is this an ascending (going up) or descending (going down) scale?

c. Draw the correct clef in the box to make a C major scale. Circle three tonic notes.

10

12


6. a. Draw the following triads. G major C major F major

b. Name the following triads.

7. Add bar lines to each of the following.

10

10

4 of 6

13


8. Fill in the blanks for each of the following.

9. Indicate whether the following explanations are true (T) or false (F).

legato smooth

moderately soft

sharp

allegro fast

sharp

loud

staccato smooth

largo at a moderate tempo

ritardando, rit. slowing down gradually

detached

10

10

5 of 6

14



a. Add the correct time signature directly on the music.

b. Name the composer of this piece.

c. Name the sharp in the box at letter A.

d. Circle the correct key signature of this piece. F major C major G major

e. How many times is the tonic note played in this piece?

f. Name the size (number only) of the interval in the box at letter B.

g. Circle and name the highest note in this piece.

h. Circle and name the lowest note in this piece.

i. How many half notes are played in this piece?

j. Does this piece begin softly or loudly?

10

6 of 6

15


MI DDLE

C

16



Maximum Marks

Confirmation Number

© Copyright 2012 The Royal Conservatory Examinations© Copyright 2012 The Royal Conservatory Examinations

Total Marks

August 2012

1. Write the five notes indicated on the keyboard directly on the staff below.

2. For each of the following pairs of notes, circle the note that sounds higher.

10

10

1 of 7

? w#wn&

17

Preparatory RudimentsAugust 2012 2 of 7

3. a. Write the specified intervals (size only) above each of the given notes.

Example:

b. Name the size (number only) of the boxed intervals.

Example:

A 2

B

C

D

E

F

10

18


4. a. Write the scale of C major ascending (going up), starting on the given note. Circle both tonic notes.

b. Draw the key signature of F major in the box. Write the scale of F major descending (going down). Use whole notes.

c. Draw the key signature of G major in the box. Write the scale of G major ascending (going up). Use whole notes.

10

19


5. Draw a line connecting each triad with its name.

6. a. Draw the following rests.

a quarter rest

a whole rest

an eighth rest

b. Name the following types of notes.

10

10

G major in the bass clef

C major in the bass clef

C major in the treble clef

G major in the treble clef

F major in the treble clef

20


7. a. Add the correct time signature below the brackets.

b. Add bar lines to each of the following.

10

21


8. a. Draw one note that is equal in value to the combined value of the given notes.

Example:

b. Draw two notes that are equal in value to each of the given notes.

9. Draw a line connecting each Italian term to its meaning.

largo at a moderate tempo

allegro detached

andante slow, at a walking pace

staccato very slow

moderato fast

10

10

22



a. Name the composer of this piece.

b. What year was the composer born in?

c. Write the correct time signature directly on the music, below the bracket.

d. How many measures (bars) are in this piece?

e. Explain the meaning of the sign in the box at letter A.

f. Name the size (number only) of the interval in the box at letter B.

g. Explain the meaning of the sign in the box at letter C.

h. Circle and name the highest note in this piece.

i. Circle and name the lowest note in this piece.

j. How many slurs are in this piece?

10

23


MI DDLE

C

Preparatory RudimentsThe formal study of theory allows students to identify and explore elements that already form the basis of their musical experience. It also builds aural awareness, develops analytical thinking, and encourages the creative impulse. The study of Rudiments introduces students to the basic elements and notational conventions of music—the building blocks of musical grammar.

Preparatory Rudiments, the first examination in the Rudiments stream, will launch students in their theoretical studies and provide an enriching context for their evolving practical studies.

This book contains the actual examination papers from the three most recent examination sessions. The questions contained in these papers reflect the requirements outlined in the Theory Syllabus, 2009 Edition. For the purposes of this publication, some questions may differ slightly from those on the original examinations.

These papers are an invaluable resource for students preparing to write the Preparatory Rudiments examination. The variety of questions students will encounter here will help them to sharpen their skills and gain confidence in the application of their knowledge. It is hoped that this book will assist students in the successful completion of their Preparatory Rudiments examination and contribute to the ongoing development of their musicianship.

Maria CaseChief Examiner, Theoretical Subjects Series Editor

Preparing for your theory examination?The papers in this book are actual theory papers from past examination sessions that you can use to study and prepare for your theory examination. Available now, Online Theory Worksheets!

Visit www.rcmusic.ca/digital-learning for details on content, pricing, and licensing.

Did you know you can also have your practice paper assessed by a member of the College of Examiners?

Any student may submit a practice paper for assessment. (You do not have to be registered for a theory examination.) Your marked paper will be scanned and emailed to you so you can review the results and read the examiner’s comments. The results are for your reference only, and will not count toward your official examination mark.

For more information about Practice Theory Assessments, including submission deadlines, please visit www.rcmexaminations.org.

AttentionComposers, artists, and editors rely on sales revenuesfrom this book to contribute to their livelihood.Photocopying the contents of this publication deprives the creators of due compensation. For this reason, the material in this publication is protected by copyright law. Please follow the intention of the law and do not photocopy. Reproduction of any part of this book without the permission of the publisher may lead to prosecution.

AttentionCompositeurs, artistes et editeurs comptent sur le revenu des ventes de ce livre. Photocopier le contenu de cette publication prive les créateurs d’une rémunération bien méritée. Pour cette raison, le contenu de cette publication est protégé par des lois concernant les droits d’auteur. Nous vous prions d’observer les intentions de ces lois et de ne pas photocopier. La reproduction de quelque partie de ce livre sans la permission de la maison d’édition peut conduire à des poursuites.

The Frederick Harris Music Co., Limitedwww.frederickharrismusic.com

(416) 673-1426Printed in Canada

273 Bloor Street WestToronto, OntarioCanada M5S 1W2Imprimé au Canada

We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Canada Book Fund (CBF) for our publishing activities.

Official Examination Papers2012 edition


The Royal Conservatory, Official Examination Papers are invaluable resources for ensuring thorough preparation for theory examinations. Each book contains a combination of official and practice examinations that may be used to test knowledge and simulate the examination experience. Three editions of each of the titles below provide a rich source of review material and are available while quantities last.

Basic RudimentsIntermediate RudimentsAdvanced Rudiments

Introductory HarmonyBasic HarmonyIntermediate HarmonyAdvanced Harmony

Counterpoint

Analysis

History 1: An OverviewHistory 2: Middle Ages to ClassicalHistory 3: 19th Century to Present

Piano Pedagogy Written (Elementary, Intermediate, Advanced)

One edition of the following papers is also currently available:Basic Keyboard HarmonyIntermediate Keyboard HarmonyAdvanced Keyboard Harmony

Preparatory Rudiments (available online only)www.rcmexaminations.org

For more information or to find a retailer near you, visit www.frederickharrismusic.com.

preparatory rudiments - the royal conservatory of music

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