(This page is a work in progress. It was last updated August 29, 2010.)
Writing Scales
Go to Teoria Writing Scales.
Make sure the top box (Major and minor scales) is checked.
Do the exercise for 5 minutes and write down your score.
This exercise takes a little practice. Here are a few helpful hints:
In order to choose a note without an accidental, just click the middle button (like C-Do)
If you want a C#, you will click the box that is a sharp sign under the C.
If you want a Db, you will click the box that is a flat sign under the D.
Identify Parallel and Relative Minor Scales
Complete these exercises on different days.
On a piece of manuscript paper, write the following scales:
Exercise 1
- D Major
- D Major’s parallel minor (harmonic form)
- Eb Major
- Eb Major’s parallel minor (harmonic form)
- B Major
- B Major’s relative minor (natural form)
Exercise 2
- Ab Major
- Ab Major’s relative minor (natural form)
- A Major
- A Major’s relative minor (harmonic form)
- E Major
- E Major’s parallel minor (melodic form)
Write Major, minor, Perfect Intervals
Go to Teoria Interval Construction.
Make sure all the Major intervals are checked, all the minor intervals are checked, and all the perfect intervals are checked.
Accidentals: Choose Sharps and Flats.
Direction: Choose Both
Check and set the box to say Stop the exercise after 7 minutes.
Maximum time to answer: Start with 15 seconds, then work your way down to 5 seconds in subsequent exercises.
Click ok.
Record your score.
Write Aug 4ths, 5ths, 8ths
Go to Teoria Interval Construction.
Make sure BOTH ascending intervals and descending intervals are checked.
Make sure NOTHING is checked EXCEPT: Aug 4, 5 and Dim. 4, 5 and Perfect 4, 5.
Choose Sharps and Flats
Check the box that says Stop the exercise after 5 minutes.
Click ok.
Record your score.
(Unfortunately, this website does not allow you to drill Dim. and Aug. 8ths)
Write M, m, Aug., dim. Triads in Inversions
Go to Teoria Triad Construction Exercise.
Make sure ALL triads are checked (major, minor, augmented, diminished)
Make sure ALL inversions are checked
Under Accidentals, choose Sharps and Flats.
Stop exercise after 10 minutes.
Maximum time to answer: 30 seconds (you can change this as necessary)
Click OK.
When Teoria shows you something like this: Bb min/Db, ,remember that they want an Bb minor chord with an Db on the bottom (making it a 1st inversion triad). Remember that + means augmented.
Write White Key Dom 7th Chords in Inversions
Go to Teoria 7th Chord Construction.
Choose Dominant 7th Chords.
Choose all inversions.
Accidentals: Choose sharps and flats. (Note: For MP, you will only need to make dominant sevenths whose root is a white key. This exercise will use some chords whose root is a black key. Make a note about how many ones with white roots you get right and how many you get wrong.)
Stop exercise after: 7 minutes
Maximum time to answer: I would start by not checking this box. As you get better, you may want to try this starting at 60 seconds, then decreasing by 10 seconds on each subsequent exercise.
Choose OK.
Record your score.
Identify Dominant 7ths, Major 7ths, and minor 7th Chords
(Root position, Any key)
Go to MusicTheory.net and choose “Chord Identification.”
When asked if you would like to customize your exercise, say yes.
Pick a clef (mix it up between treble and bass each time you play)
Pick a range (I would choose the 3rd option)
Pick key signatures (choose all)
The the chord to generate (choose Dom 7th, Major 7th, minor 7th)
Inversions? (say no. Root position only)
Level of difficulty (choose Level 2. You may increase your level depending on your scores)
Do this exercise for 10 minutes.
Remember to look at the triad first.
Is it Major? Then it could be a dominant or a Major 7th. Go ahead and check the 7th.
Is it minor? Then it must be a minor 7th for this exercise.
Identify Major, minor, Perfect Intervals by Ear
(Up and down, distance and quality)
Go to Music Theory.net. Choose Interval Ear Training.
When asked if you would like to customize your exercise, say yes.
Pick the intervals to drill (Choose all except the tritone)
Allow intervals to be changed? (no)
How should they be played? (choose the 4th option…low, high, together)
What speed? (start at 1 and then choose harder options as you do the exercise again)
What instrument? (piano)
Do this exercise for 7 – 10 minutes. You may choose to have the interval repeat and play up to 3 times.
Record your score. Make note of the ones with which you had difficulty.
Form
Coming soon…
Number a separate sheet of paper 1-5.
Listen to the following pieces and write down if they are Binary, Ternary, Rondo, or Sonata-Allegro)
Texture
Number a separate sheet of paper 1-7.
Identify the texture as thin, thick/full, or imitative. Try to click on these and only listen to the performance (do not watch it or look at the title until after you answer.)
Example 1
Example 2
Example 3 (just the first piece)
Example 4
Example 5
Example 6
Example 7
Tonality
Coming soon…
Identify the piece as Major, minor, or modal.
Melodic Dictation
Here are the things to keep in mind for Level 8:
- Each example will begin on the tonic
- Each example will include the dominant note below the tonic
- The examples may include dotted quarters
- The examples will use intervals through 5ths
Short Samples
Print this Level 8 Short Melodic Dictation to practice the “typical” melodic patterns that may occur in the longer exercises.
Listen to the samples below and notate them on your paper. (You do not need to pause and play the samples again. It will be repeated 4 times for you.)
Short Sample 1 Level 8 Melodic
Short Sample 2 Level 8 Melodic
Short Sample 3 Level 8 Melodic
Short Sample 4 Level 8 Melodic
Full Exercises
Print this Level 8 Melodic Dictation page.
Listen to the samples below and notate them on your paper. (You do not need to pause and play the samples again. It will be repeated 4 times for you.)
Exercise 1 Level 8 Melodic
Exercise 2 Level 8 Melodic
Exercise 3 Level 8 Melodic
Exercise 4 Level 8 Melodic
Rhythm Dictation
Coming soon…
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