Preliminary Grade — Aural Tests
4 components · Tests are played once by the examiner
Time
Clapping the Beat
▾
Clap the beats of simple chord passages in 2- or 3-beat time at varying speeds (slow, moderate, quick). Continue clapping after the examiner stops playing.
🥁 Practice: Clap with the Metronome
72 BPM
Clapping the Beat — Sample Passage
Listen to the example passage and clap along with the beat.
💡 Tip: Keep going after the music stops! The examiner wants to see you can hold the pulse independently.
Rhythm
Echo the Rhythm
▾
Hum, sing, clap or tap the note values of a simple 2-bar rhythmical passage played by the examiner.
🎵 Practice Samples
Echo the Rhythm — Sample
Listen once, then clap or hum back the same rhythm!
💡 Tip: Listen for long and short notes. Clap once for each note you hear — don't worry about the pitch, just the rhythm!
Pitch
Sing Back a Phrase (Note by Note)
▾
Sing or hum a short melodic phrase of 5–6 notes. The examiner plays the phrase and then repeats it one note at a time, waiting for you to sing each note.
🎵 Practice Samples
Sing Back a Phrase — Sample
Listen to each note, then sing it back one at a time.
💡 Tip: Listen carefully to each note before you sing it. Singing is fine — you don't need to name the notes!
Pitch
Higher or Lower?
▾
State which is the higher or lower of any two notes, played separately, at least a third apart.
🎵 Practice Samples
Higher or Lower? — Sample
Two notes played separately — which is higher?
💡 Tip: Imagine the notes going up or down a staircase. Higher = sounds brighter, lower = sounds deeper.
Grade 1 — Aural Tests
3 components · Each test is played twice by the examiner
Pitch
Sing the Tonic
▾
Hum or sing the tonic (home note) at the end of a short unfinished phrase played by the examiner.
🎵 Practice Samples
Sing the Tonic — Sample
Phrase sounds unfinished — hum the home note to complete it.
💡 Tip: The phrase will sound "unfinished" — like a musical question. Your job is to sing the note that makes it feel complete — usually "do" (the home note of the key).
Rhythm
Clap Back the Rhythm
▾
The examiner plays a passage in duple or triple time twice. Then you tap or clap back the passage.
🎵 Practice Samples
Clap Back the Rhythm — Sample
Listen twice, then clap back. Feel duple (2) or triple (3).
💡 Tip: Listen the first time to get the feel. Listen the second time ready to clap straight after. Remember: duple = groups of 2, triple = groups of 3.
Pitch
Sing Back the Phrase
▾
Hum or sing a short phrase played twice by the examiner, combining melody and time.
🎵 Practice Samples
Sing Back the Phrase — Sample
Match the notes AND the rhythm. Sing on "la".
💡 Tip: Try to match both the notes AND the rhythm. Sing on "la" or "mm" — no need to name the notes.
Grade 2 — Aural Tests
3 components · Each test is played twice by the examiner
Rhythm
Clap Back the Rhythm
▾
The examiner plays a passage in duple or triple time twice. Tap or clap back the passage.
🎵 Practice Samples
Clap Back the Rhythm — Sample
Grade 2 includes dotted notes — listen for long and short.
💡 Tip: At Grade 2, rhythms include dotted notes and more variety. Listen carefully to the long and short notes.
Pitch
Sing Back the Phrase
▾
Hum or sing a short phrase played twice by the examiner, combining melody and time.
🎵 Practice Samples
Sing Back the Phrase — Sample
Hum or sing the phrase back — notes and rhythm together.
Pitch
Sing the Higher or Lower Note
▾
Hum or sing the higher or lower of two notes a major third or perfect fifth apart, within an octave from middle C, played simultaneously.
🎵 Practice Samples
Sing Higher or Lower Note — Sample
Two notes played together — sing just the top or bottom.
💡 Tip: When two notes are played together, try to "find" the one on top (higher) or underneath (lower). Listen for which note stands out.
Grade 3 — Aural Tests
4 components · Each test is played twice by the examiner
Rhythm
Clap Back + Name the Time
▾
Clap back the passage and state whether it is duple or triple time.
🎵 Practice Samples
Clap Back + Name the Time — Sample
Clap it back, then say "duple" or "triple".
💡 Tip: Count in your head while you listen. If you naturally count 1-2, 1-2 → duple. If you count 1-2-3 → triple. Say it confidently after you clap!
Melody
Sing Back the Melody
▾
Hum or sing a short phrase played twice by the examiner, combining melody and time.
🎵 Practice Samples
Sing Back the Melody — Sample
Hum or sing the short phrase combining melody and time.
Pitch
Sing the Higher or Lower Note
▾
Hum or sing the higher or lower of any two notes within an octave from middle C, played simultaneously.
🎵 Practice Samples
Sing Higher or Lower Note — Sample
Two notes together — isolate and sing the top or bottom.
Pitch — Intervals
Name the Interval (2nd, 3rd, 4th or 5th)
▾
After the examiner plays the keynote, hum or sing — then name — the interval of the 2nd, 3rd, 4th or 5th of the major scale played after the keynote.
🎵 Practice Samples
Name the Interval — Sample
After the keynote — is the second note a 2nd, 3rd, 4th or 5th?
💡 Tip: At Grade 3 you just say "2nd", "3rd", "4th" or "5th" — no major/minor yet. Try singing up the major scale to find the interval: Do Re Mi Fa Sol…
Grade 4 — Aural Tests
4 components · Each test is played twice by the examiner
Rhythm
Clap Back + Name the Time
▾
Clap back the passage and state whether it is in duple or triple time.
🎵 Practice Samples
Clap Back + Name the Time — Sample
Clap back and name whether it is duple or triple time.
Pitch — Intervals
Name Any Interval of the Major Scale
▾
After the examiner plays the keynote, hum or sing — then name any interval of the major scale (e.g. major 2nd, major 3rd, perfect 4th, etc.).
🎵 Practice Samples
Name Any Interval — Sample
Name the interval: major 2nd, perfect 4th, major 6th, etc.
💡 Tip: From Grade 4 you must say major or perfect: major 2nd, major 3rd, perfect 4th, perfect 5th, major 6th, major 7th, perfect octave.
Pitch
Sing the Higher or Lower Part (2 intervals)
▾
Hum or sing from memory the higher or lower part of a two-part progression of 2 successive intervals within an octave from middle C.
🎵 Practice Samples
Sing Higher or Lower Part (2 intervals) — Sample
Two-part progression — follow just the top or bottom line.
💡 Tip: Two notes are played together, moving in 2 steps. Listen for just the top (or bottom) line and follow it.
Harmony
Sing the Middle Note of a Triad
▾
The examiner plays a major or minor triad in root position or inversion. Hum or sing the middle note.
🎵 Practice Samples
Sing the Middle Note — Sample
A triad is played — find and sing the middle note.
💡 Tip: A triad has 3 notes. Listen past the top and bottom note — the middle one is between them. Try humming to find where it sits.
Grade 5 — Aural Tests
4 components · Each test is played twice by the examiner
Rhythm
Clap Back + Name the Time
▾
Clap back and state duple or triple time.
🎵 Practice Samples
Clap Back + Name the Time — Sample
Clap back and name duple or triple time.
Pitch — Intervals
Name Any Interval of the Major Scale
▾
Same as Grade 4 — name any interval of the major scale immediately after the keynote. Difficulty is adjusted to Grade 5 standard.
🎵 Practice Samples
Name Any Interval — Sample
Name any major scale interval after the keynote.
Pitch
Sing the Higher or Lower Part (3 intervals)
▾
Hum or sing the higher or lower part of a two-part progression of 3 successive intervals within an octave from middle C.
🎵 Practice Samples
Sing Higher or Lower Part (3 intervals) — Sample
Three-step two-part progression — follow your line.
Harmony
Sing All Three Notes of a Triad
▾
After the examiner plays a major or minor triad (root position or inversion), hum or sing all three notes ascending or descending as required.
🎵 Practice Samples
Sing All Three Notes — Sample
After the triad, sing all 3 notes ascending or descending.
💡 Tip: Listen carefully to the triad, then sing bottom-middle-top (ascending) or top-middle-bottom (descending). Try to hear the three separate notes inside the chord.
Grade 6 — Aural Tests
4 components · Each test is played twice by the examiner
Pitch — Intervals
Name Any Interval — Major OR Harmonic Minor Scale
▾
After the keynote, name any interval of the major or harmonic minor scale — including augmented and minor intervals found in the harmonic minor.
🎵 Practice Samples
Name Any Interval (Major or Harmonic Minor) — Sample
Now includes minor and augmented intervals from harmonic minor.
💡 Tip: Harmonic minor adds: minor 2nd, minor 3rd, minor 6th, minor 7th, and the augmented 2nd (between scale degrees 6 and 7). Listen for that characteristic raised 7th!
Harmony
Recognise the Position of a Major Triad
▾
The examiner plays a major triad in root position or an inversion. Recognise and state the position (root position, 1st inversion, 2nd inversion).
🎵 Practice Samples
Recognise Triad Position — Sample
Root, 1st inversion or 2nd inversion? Listen for the stability.
💡 Tip: Root position = open/stable sound. 1st inversion = slightly floaty (3rd on bottom). 2nd inversion = unstable/questioning (5th on bottom).
Pitch
Sing the Higher or Lower Part (4 intervals)
▾
Hum or sing the higher or lower part of a two-part progression of 4 successive intervals within an octave from middle C.
🎵 Practice Samples
Sing Higher or Lower Part (4 intervals) — Sample
Four-step progression — stay on your line through all 4 intervals.
Harmony — Cadences
Recognise Perfect and Plagal Cadences
▾
Recognise Perfect (V–I) and Plagal (IV–I) cadences as they occur in a short piece in a major key. The tonic chord is sounded first.
🎵 Practice Samples
Recognise Perfect & Plagal Cadences — Sample
Strong finish (Perfect V→I) or soft Amen finish (Plagal IV→I)?
💡 Remember:
🎵 Perfect (V→I) = strong, definite ending — like "Amen" in church music (dominant to tonic)
🎵 Plagal (IV→I) = soft, gentle ending — the "church Amen" (subdominant to tonic)
🎵 Perfect (V→I) = strong, definite ending — like "Amen" in church music (dominant to tonic)
🎵 Plagal (IV→I) = soft, gentle ending — the "church Amen" (subdominant to tonic)
Grade 7 — Aural Tests
4 components · Each test is played twice by the examiner
Pitch — Triads
Recognise Major or Minor Triad + Position
▾
Recognise whether a triad is major or minor, and state its position (root position, 1st inversion, or 2nd inversion). The triad is played within an octave.
🎧 Audio Practice — Pitch Test 1
Triad Recognition Samples
Listen carefully — is it major (bright) or minor (dark)? Which note is on the bottom?
💡 How to answer:
1. Listen for major (bright/happy) or minor (darker/sadder)
2. Then identify the position:
• Root position — open, stable sound (1-3-5)
• 1st inversion — slightly floaty (3 on bottom)
• 2nd inversion — unstable/questioning (5 on bottom)
3. Say e.g. "Major triad, root position" or "Minor triad, first inversion"
1. Listen for major (bright/happy) or minor (darker/sadder)
2. Then identify the position:
• Root position — open, stable sound (1-3-5)
• 1st inversion — slightly floaty (3 on bottom)
• 2nd inversion — unstable/questioning (5 on bottom)
3. Say e.g. "Major triad, root position" or "Minor triad, first inversion"
🧠 Self-Check After Listening
⬜ I can tell the difference between major and minor triads
⬜ I can identify root position (stable/open)
⬜ I can identify 1st inversion (floaty feel)
⬜ I can identify 2nd inversion (unstable/questioning)
Harmony — Cadences
Recognise Perfect, Plagal and Interrupted Cadences
▾
Recognise Perfect (V–I), Plagal (IV–I) and Interrupted (V–VI) cadences as they occur in a short piece in a major key. The tonic chord is sounded first.
🎧 Audio Practice — Harmony Test 2
Cadence Recognition Samples
Listen for the chord endings. What does the last chord movement feel like?
💡 Cadence cheat sheet:
🎵 Perfect (V→I) — Strong, definite finish. Like the end of a song. "Done!"
🎵 Plagal (IV→I) — Soft, gentle finish. The "Amen" cadence in hymns.
🎵 Interrupted (V→VI) — Sounds like it should end on I but goes somewhere else. A surprise!
🎵 Perfect (V→I) — Strong, definite finish. Like the end of a song. "Done!"
🎵 Plagal (IV→I) — Soft, gentle finish. The "Amen" cadence in hymns.
🎵 Interrupted (V→VI) — Sounds like it should end on I but goes somewhere else. A surprise!
🧠 Self-Check After Listening
⬜ I can recognise a Perfect cadence (strong, final)
⬜ I can recognise a Plagal cadence (soft, "Amen")
⬜ I can recognise an Interrupted cadence (surprise ending)
Memory
Memorise and Play a 2-Bar Phrase
▾
~1 minute to memorise a 2-bar melodic phrase from a printed copy (away from the instrument). Then play or sing it from memory. The examiner sounds the keynote first.
📄 Practice Phrases — Click to Open
📄
Grade 7 Memory Phrases
20 practice phrases — opens in new tab · Print for best results
⏱ How to practise the memory test:
1. Set a 1-minute timer
2. Study one phrase — look at the key, time, contour and rhythm
3. Close or cover the page
4. Play or sing it from memory
5. Check how you went, then try the next phrase!
1. Set a 1-minute timer
2. Study one phrase — look at the key, time, contour and rhythm
3. Close or cover the page
4. Play or sing it from memory
5. Check how you went, then try the next phrase!
🧠 Memorisation Checklist
⬜ I've identified the key signature and starting note
⬜ I've noticed the shape (where it goes up, down, steps, leaps)
⬜ I've identified the rhythm bar by bar
⬜ I can sing the whole phrase in my head without looking
⬜ I've heard the keynote and can find my starting note
Pitch
Sing Higher or Lower Part (up to 6 notes)
▾
Hum or sing from memory the higher or lower part of a two-part phrase of not more than 6 notes, note against note, within an octave from middle C, played slowly.
🎧 Audio Practice — Pitch Test 7
Two-Part Phrase Samples
Listen to both parts together, then sing just the top OR bottom line from memory.
💡 Strategy:
• The examiner will ask for either the higher or lower part
• Listen the first time to the whole sound
• The second time, mentally follow just the one line you'll be asked to sing
• Then sing it back on "la" — match the notes AND the rhythm
• The phrase won't be more than 6 notes, so hold onto it!
• The examiner will ask for either the higher or lower part
• Listen the first time to the whole sound
• The second time, mentally follow just the one line you'll be asked to sing
• Then sing it back on "la" — match the notes AND the rhythm
• The phrase won't be more than 6 notes, so hold onto it!
🧠 Self-Check
⬜ I can pick out the top line from two notes played together
⬜ I can pick out the bottom line from two notes played together
⬜ I can hold the melody in my head after the music stops
Grade 8 — Aural Tests
4 components · Each test is played twice by the examiner
Harmony — Triads
Recognise Major, Minor or Diminished Triad + Position
▾
Recognise whether a triad is major, minor or diminished. For major or minor, also state the position. Diminished is always in root position.
🎵 Practice Samples
Triad Recognition — Sample
Major (bright), minor (dark) or diminished (tense)? State the position too.
💡 Tip: Diminished = very tense/unstable sound — like two minor 3rds stacked. It wants to resolve somewhere urgently!
Harmony — Cadences
Recognise Any of the Four Principal Cadences
▾
Recognise any of the four principal cadences in a major key: Perfect, Plagal, Interrupted and Imperfect (I–V). Tonic chord is sounded first.
🎵 Practice Samples
All Four Cadences — Sample
Perfect, Plagal, Imperfect or Interrupted? Listen for where it lands.
💡 All four cadences:
🎵 Perfect V→I = strong, final ending
🎵 Plagal IV→I = soft, gentle ending
🎵 Imperfect I→V (or other→V) = unfinished, like a question
🎵 Interrupted V→VI = surprise — avoids the expected ending
🎵 Perfect V→I = strong, final ending
🎵 Plagal IV→I = soft, gentle ending
🎵 Imperfect I→V (or other→V) = unfinished, like a question
🎵 Interrupted V→VI = surprise — avoids the expected ending
Memory
Memorise and Play a 3–4 Bar Phrase
▾
~1½ minutes to memorise a 3–4 bar melodic phrase from a printed copy. Then play or sing it from memory. The examiner sounds the keynote first.
⏱ Memory Preparation Checklist
⬜ I've identified the key and time signature
⬜ I've mapped the contour (where it goes up, down, steps, leaps)
⬜ I've identified the rhythm bar by bar
⬜ I can sing the whole phrase in my head without looking
⬜ I know the starting note relative to the keynote
📄 Practice Phrases — Click to Open
📄Grade 8 Memory Phrases
3–4 bar phrases — opens in new tab · Print for best results
Pitch
Sing the Lower Part of a Two-Part Phrase
▾
The examiner plays a two-part phrase with passing notes. Hum, sing or play from memory the lower part.
🎵 Practice Samples
Sing the Lower Part — Sample
Two-part phrase with passing notes — follow the bass line.
💡 Tip: Grade 8 adds passing notes which fill in the gaps between chord tones. Focus on following the bass line underneath the melody, not the decorative notes on top.