Curriculum Guide
Complete examination syllabus from Preliminary to Grade 5 — covering all topics for MUSON, ABRSM and Trinity board examinations.
Construction of the great staff/stave noting the position of the middle C, construction of Treble (G) and Bass (F) clefs with the names of notes in each clef not including ledger lines
Names of musical notes both the American - e.g. semibreve - and English versions - e.g. whole note, tied notes, single notes, dotted notes; rests and their values - semibreve, minim, crotchet and quaver, including dotted minim and crotchet rests, also noting that an empty bar rest regardless of the time signature is represented with whole note /semibreve rest
Construction of C, F and G major scales with or without key signature in both Treble and Bass clefs one octave, position of the tones and semitones and their slurs, tonic triads (root position) and its interval
Barline(s) and their use, grouping of notes within the simple time signature, stem must be placed on the correct side of a note head and positioned correctly either up or down, time signature must be written correctly, and not with a stroke in between
Sharp, flat, natural sign and their cancellations, accidentals must be on the correct side of the note heads
Simple terms and signs relating to tone, pace, strength and expression: Dynamics, articulation marks and tempo markings such piano, mezzo piano, pianissimo, forte, mezzo forte, fortissimo, crescendo, decrescendo/diminuendo, legato; slurs, accents, staccato; andante, allegro, repeat markings, moderato, ritenuto, etc.
More advanced questions on the requirements for the above grade with the addition of the following:
Refer to the lesson in week one of the preliminary grade as a refresher, added to this is the extension of the stave to include two ledger lines above and below the G and F clef
Construction of these scales - major and minor - on both treble and bass clefs, paying attention to the position of tones and semitones and their slurs, correct placement of accidentals and key signatures
The tonic triads in root position of C, F, G, B flat and D major and harmonic minors of A, E, D
Identifying Intervallic positions by numbers e.g. major/minor 2nd, major/minor 3rd, perfect 4ths, 5ths
a.) The simple duple (2/2, 4/2, alla breve), simple triple (3/2, 3/4, 3/8), simple quadruple (4/4, C) time signature b.) Dotted notes and rests
Simple terms and signs relating to tone, pace, strength and expression: Adagio, cantabile, allegretto, molto, vivace, poco a poco, metronome marks, etc.
More advanced questions on the requirements for the above grades with the addition of the following:
a.) Ledger lines up to three above or below the stave b.) Major and Minor scales and key signatures up to 3 sharps and 3 flats
The triad (chords) (close, root position) of the tonic in above keys
The diatonic intervals of the above keys, major and minor 2nd, major and minor 3rd, perfect 4th and 5th and perfect octave
The compound duple (6/4, 6/8), in addition to time signature in grade one
Barring of free musical phrases. Add missing notes or rests to a musical phrase
Simple terms and signs relating to tone, pace, strength and expression
More advanced questions on the requirements for the above grades with the addition of the following:
Scales up to 3 sharps and 3 flats major and minor (harmonic and melodic). Both forms of the minor scale in the above keys. Extension of stave beyond two ledger lines
Compound time signatures with dotted notes. Filling up of incomplete bar. Grouping of notes and rests and barring a phrase
Tonic triads in the keys specified, root position and 1st inversion. All major, minor and perfect intervals above the tonic
Technical (degree) names of the notes of a scale
Transposition of a simple melody from treble clef to bass clef or vice versa at the octave
Terms and signs relating to tone, pace, strength and expression, metronome markings
More advanced questions on the requirements for the above grades with the addition of the following:
a.) Signatures and scales of all major and minor keys up to 5 sharps and flats, chromatic scales b.) All simple and compound time signatures – duple, triple, quadruple – Double dotted notes
Triads in the above keys and inversions on tonic, sub-dominant and dominant in above keys. Grouping of notes, duplets, and triplets
Intervals: major, minor, perfect, augmented, and diminished. Alto clef – transcribe from treble and bass
Adding bar lines and time signatures to passages. Triads - Recognition of root position of tonic, sub-dominant, dominant – in major and harmonic minor
Composing simple rhythms to given words. Double sharps and flats and cancellation, enharmonic equivalents
Terms and signs relating to tone, pace, strength and expression
More advanced questions on the requirements for the previous grades with the addition of the following:
All major and minor scales (Circle of fifths, major keys and their relative minor both harmonic and melodic). All simple and compound intervals
Writing in open score using treble and bass stave music written on 2 staves for SATB and vice versa. Composing a simple melody to given words or composing a melody using a given opening and writing for specific instrument – Add tempo, dynamics and articulation
Writing at concert pitch (sounding pitch) a melody for instruments in B flat, A or F and vice versa. Tenor clef – identifying notes in 4 clefs. Transpose simple melody at octave from one clef to another
Cadences: Writing of cadences – Perfect, imperfect, plagal, interrupted. Irregular time signatures – 5/4, 7/4, 5/8, 7/8 (Irregular divisions of simple time values, and grouping of notes and rests within the irregular time signature)
Simple ornaments – Replace written out ornaments with signs and vice versa (e.g. trill, turn, upper and lower mordent, acciaccatura and appoggiatura)
Terms and signs relating to tone, pace, strength and expression