The Music Stem / Music theory practice tests / Trinity Grade 1 Music Theory
Exam practice
Trinity Grade 1 music theory practice test
Timed practice for Trinity Grade 1 Music Theory, set out in the board's own sections. Every answer comes with an explanation.
About the exam
Theory of Music Grade 1 is a written theory exam from Trinity College London.
This practice test covers Grade 1: rhythm, treble and bass clef notes, keys and scales, terms and signs, and a short melody.
The sections
- Section 1 · RhythmNote values, rests and time signatures.This section has 20 questions.
- Section 2 · PitchTreble and bass clef notes.This section has 4 questions.
- Section 3 · Keys and scalesC, G and F major, and their scales and triads.This section has 5 questions.
- Section 4 · WritingCompleting bars and short rhythms.This section has 3 questions.
- Section 5 · Terms and signsItalian words and musical signs.This section has 2 questions.
- Section 6 · Music in contextQuestions about a short melody.This section has 10 questions.
Timing
Exam mode runs a clock of 2 hours for the whole practice test.
The full practice test holds 44 questions.
Sample questions
Sample 1
Which rest may indicate a whole bar of silence even when the time signature is 3/4?
- Semibreve rest
- Quaver rest
- Minim rest
- Crotchet rest
The answer is A, Semibreve rest.
A semibreve rest may stand for a complete bar's rest in any of the Grade 1 meters. It does not mean the bar has four beats.
Sample 2
On the treble staff, which pitch sits on its bottom line?
- E4
- F4
- G4
- D4
The answer is A, E4.
Treble-clef lines from bottom to top are E4, G4, B4, D5, F5. F4 is the first space above the bottom line.
Sample 3
A B-flat in one bar is followed by a B-natural sign on the same staff position. What does the natural sign do?
- It changes the meter
- It lowers B another semitone
- It raises B an octave
- It cancels the flat
The answer is D, It cancels the flat.
The natural sign restores B-natural at the written pitch. The flat had lowered that note by a semitone.
Questions and answers
How long is the Trinity Grade 1 Music Theory practice test?
Exam mode gives 2 hours for the whole practice test. It holds 44 questions.
What sections does the Trinity Grade 1 Music Theory practice test cover?
It follows the board's order in six sections, from Rhythm to Music in context.
Are the answers explained?
Yes. Each answer comes with an explanation of why it is correct.
Start the practice test →More Trinity practice tests
See a mistake on this page? Write to info@themusicstem.com or read how to report an error.