Theory Study

Compiled ABRSM Grades 1-5 exam materials covering notes, rhythm, scales, chords and all major exam topics for easy reference and efficient preparation.

Contents

1. Note Values 2. Bars and Time Signatures 3. Pitch Names 4. Staves and Clefs 5. Staff Notation 6. Ledger Lines 7. Sharps, Flats, and Naturals 8. Semitones, Whole Tones, and the C Major Scale 9. G Major, D Major, and F Major Scales 10. Rests 11. Ties and Dots 12. Tonality and Key Signatures 13. Accidentals 14. Scale Degrees 15. Tonic Chords 16. Intervals 17. Beaming Notes within a Bar 18. Performance Directions

ABRSM Grade 1 Knowledge Points

Knowledge Point 17: Grouping Notes in Bars

When grouping notes, we follow certain conventions. These conventions help musicians understand a piece more easily and quickly. Below are some points you need to remember within the scope of Grade 1.

(1) Beaming

(a) Replace two eighth notes with one quarter note, as shown in Figure 50:

Figure 50: Illustration

(b) Replace four eighth notes with one half note, as shown in Figure 51:

Figure 51: Illustration

time, as shown in Figure 53:

Figure 53: Illustration

(d) Replace four sixteenth notes with one quarter note, as shown in Figure 54:

Figure 54: Illustration

(e) In Figure 55, all of these groups can be replaced by quarter notes:

Figure 55: Illustration

(Note how a single sixteenth note is connected to the other notes), as shown in Figure 56:

becomes

Figure 56: Illustration

Note an important exception to point (b): in time, we do not connect the middle eighth notes with a beam (between the 2nd and 3rd beats), as shown in Figure 52:

is incorrect

is correct.

Figure 52: Illustration

(2) Avoid using ties wherever possible

Within the same bar, when you have a choice, please use a single note (or a dotted note) instead of a tie. Figure 57 should be written like this:

rather than

Figure 57: Illustration

But if one of them includes a sixteenth note, we must use a tie. As shown in Figure 58:

rather than

Figure 58: Illustration

(3) Beaming strategy

Two or more groups of beamed notes can often have their beams joined together. As shown in Figure 59, both are quite clear, so they are both acceptable — there is no right or wrong between them:

can be beamed as

Figure 59: Illustration

For another two groups of beamed notes, as shown in Figure 60, joining the beams together would become very confusing, because it would be hard to tell where the second beat begins. Therefore, the way this example is written is not appropriate.

Figure 60: Illustration

Sometimes, you will find that your music breaks the conventions we use for grouping notes. In such cases, we interpret it as the composer intentionally conveying a particular message, telling the performer how he or she wishes the music to be played.

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