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ABRSM Music Theory·THEORY · Music Theory·UnitTHEORY · Unit 04Access: Premium

Grade 4

Prepare for Grade 4 with ABRSM Music Theory practice questions covering 9 topics. Part of Music Theory — build your knowledge and track your progress with Go Music Theory.

Questions
427
Topics
9
Access
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What’s in it.

9 topics
  • Topic 01

    Note Values and Rests

    52 questions
  • Topic 02

    Time Signatures and Rhythm

    54 questions
  • Topic 03

    Pitch and Notation

    45 questions
  • Topic 04

    Keys and Scales

    54 questions
  • Topic 05

    Intervals

    42 questions
  • Topic 06

    Chords

    42 questions
  • Topic 07

    Ornaments

    39 questions
  • Topic 08

    Instruments

    45 questions
  • Topic 09

    Terms, Signs and Performance Directions

    54 questions

Sample questions

3 of many

A few questions from this unit, with the answer and a full explanation. The complete bank is available when you start practising.

  1. What are the six ornaments students must know at Grade 4?

    • Trill, trill turn, vibrato, tremolo, glissando, and mordent
    • Trill, turn, upper mordent, lower mordent, acciaccatura, and appoggiatura
      Correct answer
    • Accent, staccato, tenuto, fermata, trill, and turn
    • Trill, vibrato, turn, grace note, slide, and bend
    Explanation

    The six ornaments required at ABRSM Grade 4 are: trill, turn, upper mordent, lower mordent, acciaccatura, and appoggiatura. Students must recognise their symbols, know their names, and understand how each sounds.

  2. A bar in 4/2 time contains one semibreve and one minim. How many more minims are needed to complete the bar?

    • 2 minims
    • 1 minim (semibreve = 2 minims, plus 1 minim = 3 minims used; 1 minim remains)
      Correct answer
    • 4 minims
    • Half a minim
    Explanation

    In 4/2 time, a bar holds 4 minim beats (= 8 crotchets). A semibreve = 2 minims (4 crotchets) and a minim = 1 minim (2 crotchets), totalling 3 minims (6 crotchets). That leaves 1 minim (2 crotchets) to fill. Understanding how different note values combine to fill bars is essential for completing-the-bar questions.

  3. E to B is a perfect 5th. A student encounters the notes Eb to Bb. Is this also a perfect 5th? Explain your reasoning.

    • Yes — Eb to Bb is still a perfect 5th (7 semitones). Both notes have been lowered by the same amount (one semitone each), so the interval size is unchanged
      Correct answer
    • Yes — but only because Eb major happens to contain Bb
    • No — Eb to Bb is a diminished 5th because both notes have flats
    • No — Eb to Bb is an augmented 4th because it equals 6 semitones
    Explanation

    When both notes are altered by the same amount and in the same direction, the interval stays the same quality. E to B = 7 semitones (perfect 5th). Eb to Bb = also 7 semitones (lowering both by 1 semitone does not change the distance). So Eb to Bb is also a perfect 5th.