Parameters for improvisation tests

Grade Melodic stimulus: Rhythmic stimulus Melodic & rhythmic stimulus: Chordal test
max. range of suggested length of response
given motif (cumulative*) (cumulative*)

4 4-bar phrase
2 bars major key
Initial 3 stepwise notes
crotchets I/V
minims 2 bars per chord
1 phrase
4–bar phrase
3 notes — one
major key
Grade 1 step one leap — quavers
I/V
up to a 4th
1 chord per bar
4–bar phrase
4 notes — range major key
Grade 2 with dots
up to a 5th I/IV/V
1 chord per bar
1–2 phrases
4–bar phrase
5 notes — range major key
Grade 3 with ties
up to a 6th I/ii/IV/V
1 chord per bar
4–bar phrase
minor key
Grade 4 octave (diatonic)
i/iv/V
2, 3 1 chord per bar
4 bars 2–3 phrases
4–bar phrase
semiquavers
octave (simple minor key
Grade 5
chromaticism) i/iv/V/VI
1 chord per bar
4–bar phrase
major key
Grade 6 6 I/ii/IV/V & 7ths
1 chord per bar

3–4 phrases 4–bar phrase

major or minor key
I/ii/iii/IV/V/vi
Grade 7 triplets
twelfth i/ii/III/iv/V/VI
(chromatic) & 6ths/7ths
1 or 2 chords per bar
4–bar phrase
major or minor key
all chords 6ths/7ths/9ths
Grade 8 7 4–6 phrases & dim/aug
simple suspensions
1 or 2 chords per bar

* Tests may also include requirements from preceding grades.

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