Grade 3 Theory Question Block A 2012 Options

[fatar760]

Hello,

So today my student and I sat a Grade 3 theory exam. I thought it would be rather interesting (and fun) for me to sit the exam with him (it's been about 15 years since I last sat one)

The first question asked to half the note values and re-write the piece (from 3/4 into 3/8) This involved grouping together demisemiquavers with a mixture of quavers, dotted quavers, semiquavers and rests.

Now, to my knowledge the grouping of demisemiquavers isn't actually covered in the Grade 3 book.

Both my student and I answered this question differently; I beamed pretty much all my notes whereas he kept many of his separate.

Firstly, should the board be including questions like this that aren't in the books?

And secondly, was my student, or myself, correct in our answers?

[maggiemay]

The grade 3 theory syllabus specifically mentions 'the demisemquaver and its equivalent rest'

3/8 time is listed at grade 2, and the 'grouping of notes and rests within the specified times' topic is listed for both grades.

[sbhoa]

The grade 3 theory syllabus specifically mentions 'the demisemquaver and its equivalent rest'

3/8 time is listed at grade 2, and the 'grouping of notes and rests within the specified times' topic is listed for both grades.

And with demis either grouping them together or separating into 4s is ok.

[fatar760]

The grade 3 theory syllabus specifically mentions 'the demisemquaver and its equivalent rest'

3/8 time is listed at grade 2, and the 'grouping of notes and rests within the specified times' topic is listed for both grades.

This is all true.

But, as i said, it does not cover the grouping of demisemiquavers in Grade 3 in 3/8 time (or in Grade 2).

In previous grades it makes a point of explaining how semiquavers should be grouped. Demisemiquavers never gets this attention. Also, looking through the entire book there is not one example of a demisemiver grouped with a quaver AND a semiquaver (which is what the exam question required)

[sbhoa]

The grade 3 theory syllabus specifically mentions 'the demisemquaver and its equivalent rest'

3/8 time is listed at grade 2, and the 'grouping of notes and rests within the specified times' topic is listed for both grades.

This is all true.

But, as i said, it does not cover the grouping of demisemiquavers in Grade 3 in 3/8 time (or in Grade 2).

In previous grades it makes a point of explaining how semiquavers should be grouped. Demisemiquavers never gets this attention. Also, looking through the entire book there is not one example of a demisemiver grouped with a quaver AND a semiquaver (which is what the exam question required)

I think it does cover beaming whole beats and whole bars in 2 and 3 time?
It does sound like a more difficult example of this question though.

[dolce@piano]

When you say the 'Grade 3 book' and the 'entire book', which book are you talking about ?

As Maggiemay points out, the grouping of demisemiquavers is listed in the syllabus.

The ABRSM red First steps in Music theory gives quite detailed instructions about grouping demisemiquavers in the Grade 3 chapter (pg 61).
The Pink AB guide to Music Theory also covers it (in less detail).

[fatar760]

The grade 3 theory syllabus specifically mentions 'the demisemquaver and its equivalent rest'

3/8 time is listed at grade 2, and the 'grouping of notes and rests within the specified times' topic is listed for both grades.

This is all true.

But, as i said, it does not cover the grouping of demisemiquavers in Grade 3 in 3/8 time (or in Grade 2).

In previous grades it makes a point of explaining how semiquavers should be grouped. Demisemiquavers never gets this attention. Also, looking through the entire book there is not one example of a demisemiver grouped with a quaver AND a semiquaver (which is what the exam question required)

I think it does cover beaming whole beats and whole bars in 2 and 3 time?

It does regarding quavers and semiquavers but not with demisemiquavers. Could you show me where you think this is covered? I'd really like to know.

The reason I'm particularly bothered about all this is because it was the first question and it really threw my student who, also felt, it hadn't been covered in the book.

When you say the 'Grade 3 book' and the 'entire book', which book are you talking about ?

As Maggiemay points out, the grouping of demisemiquavers is listed in the syllabus.

The ABRSM red First steps in Music theory gives quite detailed instructions about grouping demisemiquavers in the Grade 3 chapter (pg 61).
The Pink AB guide to Music Theory also covers it (in less detail).

Ah good question. I'm referring to the Eric Taylor book, which I've always taken as gospel.

[sbhoa]

The grade 3 theory syllabus specifically mentions 'the demisemquaver and its equivalent rest'

3/8 time is listed at grade 2, and the 'grouping of notes and rests within the specified times' topic is listed for both grades.

This is all true.

But, as i said, it does not cover the grouping of demisemiquavers in Grade 3 in 3/8 time (or in Grade 2).

In previous grades it makes a point of explaining how semiquavers should be grouped. Demisemiquavers never gets this attention. Also, looking through the entire book there is not one example of a demisemiver grouped with a quaver AND a semiquaver (which is what the exam question required)

I think it does cover beaming whole beats and whole bars in 2 and 3 time?

It does regarding quavers and semiquavers but not with demisemiquavers. Could you show me where you think this is covered? I'd really like to know.

The reason I'm particularly bothered about all this is because it was the first question and it really threw my student who, also felt, it hadn't been covered in the book.

dolce@piano has given examples.
Beaming beats is beaming beats regardless of whether they are quaver, semiquaver, demisemi or a mixture.
The question is one of applying knowledge not of remembering specific examples from a list to be learned.

[fatar760]

The grade 3 theory syllabus specifically mentions 'the demisemquaver and its equivalent rest'

3/8 time is listed at grade 2, and the 'grouping of notes and rests within the specified times' topic is listed for both grades.

This is all true.

But, as i said, it does not cover the grouping of demisemiquavers in Grade 3 in 3/8 time (or in Grade 2).

In previous grades it makes a point of explaining how semiquavers should be grouped. Demisemiquavers never gets this attention. Also, looking through the entire book there is not one example of a demisemiver grouped with a quaver AND a semiquaver (which is what the exam question required)

Yes, but different rules exist depending on time signature and note values.

many of the demisemiquavers in the book are beamed into 4s and none are in 3/8 time.

My assumption was to beam all quavers, semiquavers and demisemiquavers as one. My student kept them separate.
I think it does cover beaming whole beats and whole bars in 2 and 3 time?

It does regarding quavers and semiquavers but not with demisemiquavers. Could you show me where you think this is covered? I'd really like to know.

The reason I'm particularly bothered about all this is because it was the first question and it really threw my student who, also felt, it hadn't been covered in the book.

dolce@piano has given examples.
Beaming beats is beaming beats regardless of whether they are quaver, semiquaver, demisemi or a mixture.

[porilo]

The grade 3 theory syllabus specifically mentions 'the demisemquaver and its equivalent rest'

3/8 time is listed at grade 2, and the 'grouping of notes and rests within the specified times' topic is listed for both grades.

This is all true.

But, as i said, it does not cover the grouping of demisemiquavers in Grade 3 in 3/8 time (or in Grade 2).

In previous grades it makes a point of explaining how semiquavers should be grouped. Demisemiquavers never gets this attention. Also, looking through the entire book there is not one example of a demisemiver grouped with a quaver AND a semiquaver (which is what the exam question required)

I think it does cover beaming whole beats and whole bars in 2 and 3 time?

It does regarding quavers and semiquavers but not with demisemiquavers. Could you show me where you think this is covered? I'd really like to know.

The reason I'm particularly bothered about all this is because it was the first question and it really threw my student who, also felt, it hadn't been covered in the book.

dolce@piano has given examples.
Beaming beats is beaming beats regardless of whether they are quaver, semiquaver, demisemi or a mixture.
The question is one of applying knowledge not of remembering specific examples from a list to be learned.

I don't teach theory but I would say that it's very hard to answer such a question "blind". If you could post the actual question then I'm sure you would be able to get a more precise answer.

[fatar760]

The grade 3 theory syllabus specifically mentions 'the demisemquaver and its equivalent rest'

3/8 time is listed at grade 2, and the 'grouping of notes and rests within the specified times' topic is listed for both grades.

This is all true.

But, as i said, it does not cover the grouping of demisemiquavers in Grade 3 in 3/8 time (or in Grade 2).

In previous grades it makes a point of explaining how semiquavers should be grouped. Demisemiquavers never gets this attention. Also, looking through the entire book there is not one example of a demisemiver grouped with a quaver AND a semiquaver (which is what the exam question required)

Yes, but different rules exist depending on time signature and note values.

many of the demisemiquavers in the book are beamed into 4s and none are in 3/8 time.

My assumption was to beam all quavers, semiquavers and demisemiquavers as one. My student kept them separate.
I think it does cover beaming whole beats and whole bars in 2 and 3 time?

It does regarding quavers and semiquavers but not with demisemiquavers. Could you show me where you think this is covered? I'd really like to know.

The reason I'm particularly bothered about all this is because it was the first question and it really threw my student who, also felt, it hadn't been covered in the book.

dolce@piano has given examples.
Beaming beats is beaming beats regardless of whether they are quaver, semiquaver, demisemi or a mixture.

Yes, but different rules exist depending on time signature and note values.

many of the demisemiquavers in the book are beamed into 4s and none are in 3/8 time.

My assumption was to beam all quavers, semiquavers and demisemiquavers as one. My student kept them separate.

[dolce@piano]

Both the books I mentioned are also by Eric Taylor (and ABRSM publications).

Do you mean the workbook ?

If so, I don't think a workbook can cover every single eventuality. It's to be used alongside a reference book to give workable examples of the principles covered in the syllabus.

The little red Eric Taylor book is particularly useful, in my opinion, and very good value.

[fatar760]

Both the books I mentioned are also by Eric Taylor (and ABRSM publications).

Do you mean the workbook ?

If so, I don't think a workbook can cover every single eventuality. It's to be used alongside a reference book to give workable examples of the principles covered in the syllabus.

The little red Eric Taylor book is particularly useful, in my opinion, and very good value.

Yeh the workbooks. I think you are right and, as the grades and groupings become more difficult, I will need to use a reference book to cover every eventuality. As I say, I've taken those workbooks as gospel in the past.

The closest example I can give of how MY answer looked is in Grade 3 Workbook, General Exercise 1, Bar 3. But if you look at bars 5-6 you can see they have been grouped differently.

[porilo]

Can you post the actual question and examples please, for the benefit of those who don't have the books? Then we might be able to provide you with a better answer.

[fatar760]

Can you post the actual question and examples please, for the benefit of those who don't have the books? Then we might be able to provide you with a better answer.

Not without repeating myself no....I pretty much explained it in the first post....I think... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)