Popular Music Theory Exam Sections

Section 1 - Scales and Keys

Candidates are expected to have a good knowledge of the notes that make up scales - this is essential if the scales learnt in theory are to be used in a practical context.

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Section 2 - Chords

Candidates are expected to have a good knowledge of chord symbols and the notes that make up chords - this is essential if the chords learnt in theory are to be used in a practical context.

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Section 3 - Rhythm Notation

Candidates should have a practical understanding of time signatures, as well as note and rest values (including correct grouping).

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Section 4 - Knowledge of Popular Music

This section only appears from Grade One onwards.

Candidates will be asked questions in three areas:History of Popular Music, Instrumentation and anguage of Popular Music.

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Section 5 - Harmony

This section only appears from Grade Two onwards.

Questions in this section largely focus on the candidate's ability to relate the knowledge of scales and chords, from Sections 1 and 2, to practical music-making situations - such as improvisation and composition of chord progressions.

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Section 6 - Transposition

This section only appears from Grade Three onwards.

In this section candidates will be asked to transpose, or identify transposed, chord progressions and (at higher grades) melodies.

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