Fundamentals: Pitch, Rhythm and Metre
What is tested
The opening units cover pitch notation, rhythmic values, simple and compound metre, and the terms used to describe tempo and dynamics. These are the cheapest marks on the exam and the ones most often lost through carelessness.
Common mistakes
Simple and compound metre get confused at faster tempos, because the ear latches onto the subdivision rather than the beat. Ask how many beats are in the bar before counting how many notes fill it.
Practice with
The tool below checks your answer against the theory engine, so you get the same verdict a marker would.