Preparatory Rudiments
RCM EXAMINATIONS
Official Examination Papers
2009 Edition
Preparatory Rudiments
The formal study of theory allows students to identify and explore elements that already form the basis of their
musical experience. It also builds aural awareness, develops analytical thinking, and encourages the creative impulse.
The study of Rudiments introduces students to the basic elements and notational conventions of music the building
blocks of musical grammar.
Preparatory Rudiments, our first and newest examination in the Rudiments stream, will launch students in their
theoretical studies and provide an enriching context for their evolving practical studies. The questions contained in
these papers reflect the requirements outlined in the Theory Syllabus, 2009 Edition.
These three Preparatory Rudiments papers are actual examination papers from the 20072008 National Music
Certificate Program examination sessions in the United States. This examination is now offered in Canada by RCM
Examinations, and it is hoped that these papers will assist students in their preparation, as well as contribute to the
ongoing development of their musicianship.
Maria Case
Chief Examiner, Theoretical Subjects
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ISBN 978-1-55440-251-9
Preparatory Rudiments
Sample Paper 1
Sample Paper 1 - Page 1 of 12
Confirmation Number
Your answers must be written INPENCIL in the space provided.
Maximum Marks
10
1. Write the FIVE notes indicated on the keyboard directly on the staff below:
M
I
D
D
L
E
C
&
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Copyright 2009 The Frederick Harris Music Co., Limited
Preparatory Rudiments
Sample Paper 1
10
2. For each of the following pairs of notes, circle the note which sounds LOWER.
&
w bw
& #w
Sample Paper 1 - Page 2 of 12
& w bw
?
? #w nw
bw
&
Copyright 2009 The Frederick Harris Music Co., Limited
Preparatory Rudiments
Sample Paper 1
10
Sample Paper 1 - Page 3 of 12
3. a. Write the specified intervals (numerical size only) above EACH of the given notes.
ww
&
Example:
b. Name the size (number only) of the boxed intervals.
3
&b 4
A
? b 43
6
__________
Example: A
__________
__________
__________
__________
Copyright 2009 The Frederick Harris Music Co., Limited
__________
Preparatory Rudiments
Sample Paper 1
10
Sample Paper 1 - Page 4 of 12
4. a. Draw the key signature of F major in the box.
Write the scale of F major ascending (going up). Use whole notes.
Circle both TONIC notes.
&
b. Draw the key signature of G major in the box.
Write the scale of G major descending (going down). Use whole notes.
?
c. Write the scale of C major ascending (going up), starting on the given note.
Circle both TONIC notes.
Copyright 2009 The Frederick Harris Music Co., Limited
Preparatory Rudiments
Sample Paper 1
10
Sample Paper 1 - Page 5 of 12
5. Write the following TONIC triads in the given clefs. Use whole notes.
TONIC triad of G major
TONIC triad of F major
TONIC triad of C major
TONIC triad of G major
TONICtriad of F major
Copyright 2009 The Frederick Harris Music Co., Limited
&
?
#
b
&
?#
&b
7
Preparatory Rudiments
Sample Paper 1
10
Sample Paper 1 - Page 6 of 12
6. a. Draw the following NOTES.
a quarter note
an eighth note
a dotted half note
b. Name the following RESTS.
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
Copyright 2009 The Frederick Harris Music Co., Limited
Preparatory Rudiments
Sample Paper 1
10
Sample Paper 1 - Page 7 of 12
7. a. Add the correct time signature at the beginning of each excerpt, under the bracket.
&
&
&
j
.
j
.
continued.....
Copyright 2009 The Frederick Harris Music Co., Limited
Preparatory Rudiments
Sample Paper 1
Sample Paper 1 - Page 8 of 12
Question 7 continued
b. Add bar lines to each of the following.
4
&4
3
&4
2
&4
10
Copyright 2009 The Frederick Harris Music Co., Limited
Preparatory Rudiments
Sample Paper 1
10
Sample Paper 1 - Page 9 of 12
8. a. Draw ONE note which is equal to the combined value of the given notes:
Example:
h. q
q q q
e q e
q . e q q
=
=
b. Draw TWO notes which equal the value of each given note:
h.
Copyright 2009 The Frederick Harris Music Co., Limited
11
Preparatory Rudiments
Sample Paper 1
10
Sample Paper 1 - Page 10 of 12
9. Draw a line connecting each Italian term or sign to its meaning.
legato
f
ritardando
allegro
slowing down gradually
fast
smoothly
loud
moderately soft
12
Copyright 2009 The Frederick Harris Music Co., Limited
Preparatory Rudiments
Sample Paper 1
10
Sample Paper 1 - Page 11 of 12
10. Analyse the following piece of music by answering the questions that follow.
J.C.F. Bach
3
&4
F A
?3
4
Moderato
&
F
?
P B
..
..
continued.....
Copyright 2009 The Frederick Harris Music Co., Limited
13
Preparatory Rudiments
Sample Paper 1
Sample Paper 1 - Page 12 of 12
a. Name the composer of this piece.
________________________________
b. What is the time signature of this piece?
________________________________
c. Circle the correct meaning of the tempo marking:
slow
Question 10 continued
moderate tempo
very fast
d. Explain the meaning of the sign in the box at letter A. ________________________________
e. Explain the meaning of the sign in the box at letter B. ________________________________
f. Explain the meaning of the sign in the box at letter C. ________________________________
14
g. Circle the highest note in this piece and name it.
________________________________
h. Circle the lowest note in this piece and name it.
________________________________
i. How many rests are there in this piece?
________________________________
j. How many F sharps are played in this piece?
________________________________
Copyright 2009 The Frederick Harris Music Co., Limited
Preparatory Rudiments
Sample Paper 2
Sample Paper 2 - Page 1 of 12
Confirmation Number
Your answers must be written INPENCIL in the space provided.
Maximum Marks
10
1. Write the FIVE notes indicated on the keyboard directly on the staff below:
M
I
D
D
L
E
C
&
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Copyright 2009 The Frederick Harris Music Co., Limited
15
Preparatory Rudiments
Sample Paper 2
10
2. For each of the following pairs of notes, circle the note which sounds HIGHER.
? bw nw
& w #w
&w
16
Sample Paper 2 - Page 2 of 12
bw
? w bw
#w
& nw
Copyright 2009 The Frederick Harris Music Co., Limited
Preparatory Rudiments
Sample Paper 2
10
Sample Paper 2 - Page 3 of 12
3. a. Write the specified intervals (numerical size only) above EACH of the given notes.
w
& w
Example:
b. Name the size (number only) of the boxed intervals.
B
c
&
&c
5
__________
Example: A
__________
__________
__________
__________
__________
Copyright 2009 The Frederick Harris Music Co., Limited
17
Preparatory Rudiments
Sample Paper 2
10
Sample Paper 2 - Page 4 of 12
4. a. Write the scale of C major ascending (going up), starting on the given note.
Circle both TONIC notes.
&
b. Draw the key signature of F major in the box.
Write the scale of F major descending (going down). Use whole notes.
&
c. Draw the key signature of G major in the box.
Write the scale of G major ascending (going up). Use whole notes.
18
Copyright 2009 The Frederick Harris Music Co., Limited
Preparatory Rudiments
Sample Paper 2
10
Sample Paper 2 - Page 5 of 12
5. Draw a line connecting each triad with its name.
G major in the bass clef
C major in the bass clef
C major in the treble clef
G major in the treble clef
F major in the treble clef
Copyright 2009 The Frederick Harris Music Co., Limited
&b
ww
w
?#
ww
w
&
ww
w
?
&
ww
w
ww
w
19
Preparatory Rudiments
Sample Paper 2
10
Sample Paper 2 - Page 6 of 12
6. a. Draw the following RESTS.
a quarter rest
a whole rest
an eighth rest
b. Name the following NOTES.
q
h
20
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
Copyright 2009 The Frederick Harris Music Co., Limited
Preparatory Rudiments
Sample Paper 2
10
Sample Paper 2 - Page 7 of 12
7. a. Add the correct time signature at the beginning of each excerpt, under the bracket.
&
&
j
.
&
j .
j j
j
continued.....
Copyright 2009 The Frederick Harris Music Co., Limited
21
Preparatory Rudiments
Sample Paper 2
Sample Paper 2 - Page 8 of 12
Question 7 continued
b. Add bar lines to each of the following.
4
&4
3
&4
2
&4
22
Copyright 2009 The Frederick Harris Music Co., Limited
Preparatory Rudiments
Sample Paper 2
10
Sample Paper 2 - Page 9 of 12
8. a. Draw ONE note which is equal to the combined value of the given notes:
Example:
h. q
h q q
e q e q
q . e
=
=
=
b. Draw TWO notes which equal the value of each given note:
Copyright 2009 The Frederick Harris Music Co., Limited
23
Preparatory Rudiments
Sample Paper 2
10
Sample Paper 2 - Page 10 of 12
9. Draw a line connecting each Italian term to its meaning.
largo
at a moderate tempo
allegro
sharply detached
andante
slow; at a walking pace
staccato
very slow
moderato
fast
24
Copyright 2009 The Frederick Harris Music Co., Limited
Preparatory Rudiments
Sample Paper 2
10
Sample Paper 2 - Page 11 of 12
10. Analyse the following piece of music by answering the questions that follow.
Moderato
&
&
&
p C
&
Cornelius Gurlitt
(18201901)
.
..
continued.....
Copyright 2009 The Frederick Harris Music Co., Limited
25
Preparatory Rudiments
Sample Paper 2
Sample Paper 2 - Page 12 of 12
a. Name the composer of this piece.
________________________________
b. In what year was the composer born?
________________________________
Question 10 continued
c. Write the correct time signature directly on the music.
d. How many measures (bars) are in this piece?
________________________________
e. Explain the meaning of the sign in the box at letter A. ________________________________
f. Name the interval in the box at letter B.
________________________________
g. Explain the meaning of the sign in the box at letter C. ________________________________
26
h. Circle the highest note in this piece and name it.
________________________________
i. Circle the lowest note in this piece and name it.
________________________________
j. How many slurs are played in this piece?
________________________________
Copyright 2009 The Frederick Harris Music Co., Limited
Preparatory Rudiments
Sample Paper 3
Sample Paper 3 - Page 1 of 8
Confirmation Number
Your answers must be written INPENCIL in the space provided.
Maximum Marks
10
1. Name EACH of the following notes and draw corresponding lines to the keyboard.
M
I
D
D
L
E
C
&
#w
? w
_______
10
_______
bw
w
_______
_______
_______
2. For each of the following pairs of notes, circle the note which sounds HIGHER.
#
w
n
w
&
&
Copyright 2009 The Frederick Harris Music Co., Limited
? w bw
& w #w
? w
&
27
Preparatory Rudiments
Sample Paper 3
10
3. Name the size (number only) of EACH of the following intervals.
& ww
_______
10
w
w
_______
w
w
ww
_______
_______
ww
_______
4. Draw lines to match each of the following notes and rests to their names.
28
Sample Paper 3 - Page 2 of 8
q
w
eighth rest
quarter note
whole note
quarter rest
half note
Copyright 2009 The Frederick Harris Music Co., Limited
Preparatory Rudiments
Sample Paper 3
10
Sample Paper 3 - Page 3 of 8
5. a. Draw the key signature of F major in the box.
Circle both TONIC notes of the F major scale.
w
w
w
w
w
w
w
w
b. Draw the key signature of G major in the box.
Circle one TONIC note of the G major scale.
Is this an ascending or descending scale?
&
_______________________________
w w w w w
w w w
c. Draw the correct clef in the box to make a C major scale.
Circle three TONIC notes.
w
w
w
w
w
w
w
w
w
w
www
w
w
Copyright 2009 The Frederick Harris Music Co., Limited
29
Preparatory Rudiments
Sample Paper 3
10
6. a. Draw the following TONIC triads.
G major
C major
b. Name the following TONIC triads.
30
F major
_____________________
_____________________
Sample Paper 3 - Page 4 of 8
?#
&
?b
&
?
Copyright 2009 The Frederick Harris Music Co., Limited
Preparatory Rudiments
Sample Paper 3
10
Sample Paper 3 - Page 5 of 8
7. Add bar lines to each of the following.
2
&4
3
&4
& 44
3
&4
Copyright 2009 The Frederick Harris Music Co., Limited
31
Preparatory Rudiments
Sample Paper 3
10
Sample Paper 3 - Page 6 of 8
8. Fill in the blanks for each of the following:
Example:
How many
How many
How many
How many
How many
How many
h = w
q = h .
e =
q = w
e =
q =
q .
2
_______________
_______________
_______________
_______________
_______________
_______________
32
Copyright 2009 The Frederick Harris Music Co., Limited
Preparatory Rudiments
Sample Paper 3
10
Sample Paper 3 - Page 7 of 8
9. Circle the correct answer for each of the following.
Circle the tempo which is the fastest.
Circle the sign that is a flat.
largo
moderato
allegro
Circle the sign which means to gradually get louder.
Circle the sign which means to play the loudest.
Circle the sign which means to play smoothly.
Copyright 2009 The Frederick Harris Music Co., Limited
33
Preparatory Rudiments
Sample Paper 3
10
Sample Paper 3 - Page 8 of 8
Daniel Gottlob Trk
Andante
10. Analyse the following piece of music by answering the questions that follow.
&b
Andante
&b
?b
A
?b
A
Trk
. DanielJ Gottlob
J
C
. j
& b F . j
?
a. Write the correct
time signature directly on the music.
&b
b. Name the flat in the box at letter A.
________________________________
c. Which key is this piece in? (circle one)
F major C major G major
d. Name the note in the box at letter B.
________________________________
e. Name the size (number only) of the interval in the box at letter C.
_________________
f. Circle the lowest note in this piece.
________________________________
g. Name the lowest note in this piece.
________________________________
h. How many slurs are there in this piece?
________________________________
i. Is the second line of this piece louder or softer than the first? _______________________
j. Explain the meaning of Andante.
34
___________________________________________
Copyright 2009 The Frederick Harris Music Co., Limited
Practice Theory Assessments
Submit a practice paper from the RCM Examinations,
Official Examination Papers for assessment in
preparation for your actual examination.
Receive the Practice Theory Assessment, marked by a member
of the College of Examiners, in time to review the feedback in
advance of your examination. For detailed information, including
submission deadlines, please visit our websites at:
Canada: [Link]
USA: [Link]
RCM Examinations, Official Examination Papers are invaluable resources
for ensuring thorough preparation for theory examinations. Each book contains a
combination of official and practice examinations that may be used to test knowledge
and simulate the examination experience. Three editions of each of the titles below
provide a rich source of review material and are available while quantities last.
Basic Rudiments (Preliminary Rudiments)
Intermediate Rudiments (Grade 1 Rudiments)
Advanced Rudiments (Grade 2 Rudiments)
Introductory Harmony
Basic Harmony (Grade 3 Harmony)
Intermediate Harmony (Grade 4 Harmony)
Advanced Harmony (Grade 5 Harmony and Counterpoint)
Counterpoint (Grade 4 Counterpoint)
Analysis (Grade 5 Analysis)
History 1: An Overview (Grade 3 History)
History 2: Middle Ages to Classical (Grade 4 History)
History 3: 19th Century to Present (Grade 5 History)
Piano Pedagogy Written (Elementary, Intermediate, Advanced)
One edition of the following papers is also currently available:
Basic Keyboard Harmony (Grade 3 Keyboard Harmony)
Intermediate Keyboard Harmony (Grade 4 Keyboard Harmony)
Advanced Keyboard Harmony (Grade 5 Keyboard Harmony)
Preparatory Rudiments (available online only)
Canada: [Link]
USA: [Link]
For more information or to find a retailer near you, visit [Link].
ISBN 978-1-55440-251-9
