ABRSM Grade 8 Music Theory | Free Practice Test

Time limit: 3 Hours Total points available: 100

Pass: 66/100 Merit: 80/100 Distinction: 90/100

Question 1 (15 Marks). Complete the Trio Sonata

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ABRSM Grade 8 Music Theory | Free Practice Test

QUESTION 2 (15 MARKS).

Complete the piano piece (adapted from a piece by Henry Lemoine (1786-1854))

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ABRSM Grade 8 Music Theory | Free Practice Test

QUESTION 3 (20 MARKS). WRITE A MINIMUM OF 12 BARS AT CONCERT PITCH.

Either:
a) For flute:

Or:
b) For cello:

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ABRSM Grade 8 Music Theory | Free Practice Test

QUESTION 4 (25 MARKS)

Look at the piano piece on the next page and answer the questions.

a) Give the meaning of dolce e legato. [2]

b) Describe the intervals marked A, B and C in the score.

A: [2]
B: [2]
C: [2]

c) Describe fully the chords marked D, E and F in the score.

D: Chord:___________________ Prevailing key: __________________ [3]
E: Chord:___________________ Prevailing key: Db major [2]
F: Chord:___________________ Prevailing key: Db major [2]

d) Draw a bracket over a 2-bar phrase which is then sequenced a step lower. [2]

e) Circle a chromatic semitone (augmented unison) in the left-hand part. [2]

f) What is the widest melodic interval used in the right-hand part? _____________ [2]

g) Name the decoration note marked G in bar 5. ________________________ [2]

h) True or false? The sostenuto pedal should only be used in bar 1. ________ [1]

i) Circle the composer most likely to have written this piece.

J.S. Bach J. Haydn C. Debussy F. Chopin [1]

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ABRSM Grade 8 Music Theory | Free Practice Test

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ABRSM Grade 8 Music Theory | Free Practice Test

QUESTION 5 (25 MARKS)

Look at the orchestral piece on the next page and answer the questions.
a) Fully describe the bracketed harmonic intervals sounding between:

i) Flutes and bassoons, bar 2 ________________________________ [2]

ii) Clarinet 1 and clarinet 2, bar 4 _____________________________ [2]

b) Identify the shaded chords:

i) bar 3 _________________________________________ (in E major) [3]

ii) bar 8 ________________________________________ (in E major) [3]

c) Give the meaning of:

i. zu 2 (e.g. bassoons bar 1):_____________________________________ [2]

ii. (e.g. violins bar 6):_________________________________________ [2]

iii. pizz. (e.g. violas bar 11):______________________________________ [2]

d) Which instrument plays the highest sounding note in the extract? [2]
____________________

e) How many double stops occur in this extract? ___________ [2]

f) Write out the parts for horns 1 and 2 in bars 10-11, as they would sound at concert pitch and using
the given clef. [2]

g) Write out the parts for trombones 1 and 2 in bar 3 using the given clef. [2]

h) Underline the period when this music was written:

1650-1750 1750-1850 1850-1950 [1]

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ABRSM Grade 8 Music Theory | Free Practice Test

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ABRSM Grade 8 Music Theory | Free Practice Test

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ABRSM Grade 8 Music Theory | Free Practice Test
Answers to Q1-3 will vary. Answers to Q4 and Q5:

SECTION 4 (SOURCE: CHOPIN, WALTZ OP.70 NO.3)

a. Sweetly and smoothly
b. A: augmented 5th; B: compound minor 7th (minor 14th); C: Major 3rd
c. D: V7a in Ab major; E: iva (minor iv); F: V9a
d.

e. Bars 6-7 or bars 14-15.

f. Major 9th (compound major 2nd).

g. Chromatic unaccented passing note.
h. False.
i. Chopin. (The piece is Chopin’s Waltz op.70 no.3)

SECTION 5 (SOURCE: ROSSINI, BARBER OF SEVILLE OVERTURE

a. i. Compound minor 6th (minor 13th)
ii. Augmented 5th
b. i. iia/minor ii in root position
ii. German 6th
c. i. Both players
ii. Measured semiquavers (16th notes)
iii. Pluck the strings
d. Piccolo (sounds an octave higher than written)
e. 7
f.

g.

h. 1750-1850 (It was composed in 1816)

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