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Grade 1 Theory Resources

  1. Practice Test
  2. Music Terms Wordsearch
  3. Italian words and musical terms to memorise
  4. Musical terms: Online Quiz
  5. General Online Tests. The tests in the left column are free.
accelerando / accel. gradually getting quicker
adagio slow
allegretto fairly quick (but not as quick as allegro)
allegro quick
andante at a medium (walking) speed
cantabile in a singing style
crescendo / cresc. / gradually getting louder
da capo / D.C. repeat from the beginning
dal segno / D.S. repeat from the sign
decrescendo / decresc. gradually getting quieter
diminuendo / dim. / gradually getting quieter
fine the end
/ forte loud
/ fortissimo very loud
legato smoothly
lento slow
mezzo half
/ mezzo forte moderately loud
/ mezzo piano moderately quiet
moderato moderately
/ piano quiet
/ pianissimo very quiet
poco a little
rallentando / rall. gradually getting slower
ritardando / rit. gradually getting slower
ritenuto / rit. held back
staccato / stacc. detached
tempo speed, time (a tempo: in time)
8va octave
 See this link for the musical symbols and other terms: http://www.molevalleymusic.co.uk/TheoryGrade1.htm

Musical Knowledge Homework for the Easter break

All Summer exam candidates have the following Musical Knowledge homework during the Easter break in addition to the online aural tests.

Go through all of your pieces and write a list of all the items listed below. If you are unsure how to answer any of the questions, leave this blank and your teacher will help you at your first lesson. Do ensure you bring this to your first lesson to go through with your teacher. The pages below are sample worksheets we have made in lessons with our students.


Spring Exam Results: Trinity College of Music

Trinity Music ExamsWe entered our first group of students for Trinity College London Music exams this March after having used the same exam board for nearly 25 years. The choice of repertoire was well-received by our students and the contemporary repertoire is particularly appealing. Our students enjoyed the different format for aural tests and musical knowledge section that allow them to demonstrate their understanding of their pieces through questions asked by the examiner. All of our students left the exam full of beans and feeling very confident that they had played well so it was a hugely positive experience. The examiner was very friendly and his feedback was very clear and concise, plus each student received lovely encouraging comments too. 

Trinity results:
Distinction: Oliver (G3); Sophia, Elliot, Edward, Susannah, Sam, Freddie (Initial)
Merit: Rowan (G6)

Trinity Grade 3 Piano Distinction, April 2017
Trinity Initial Piano Distinction, April 2017
Trinity Piano Grade 6 Merit, April 2017
Trinity Initial Piano Distinction, April 2017
Trinity Initial Piano Distinction, April 2017