Four Star Tests
Introductory:
Level 1:
Level 2:
Level 3:
Level 4:
Level 5:
Level 6:
Level 7:
Level 7 Test 4 (FYI--the first few seconds are missing)
Level 8:
Level 9:
Level 10:
Four
Star Test Instructions
Please follow the instructions in
the test. You will need your current 4-star book (unless you are going back a
few levels to do just the ear training and don’t have the book), a manuscript
book (staff paper), and a pencil (not pen!).
You will need to press “pause”
after each example to allow yourself time to complete it. I couldn’t wait 30
seconds between each number otherwise the videos would have been huge! You’ll
know when to pause it the more you do it.
Each test begins with a reminder
to complete the test’s sight reading and rhythm portion. Use a metronome and
continue to do this portion until you can play and tap the example 100%
accurately. Remember excellent sight reading tips: NEVER look down as you play,
scan the music with your eyes before you play it, keep a steady pulse at all
costs. After this portion, please close your 4-star book and listen to the ear
training instructions.
For dictation, follow what I ask
you to do as you listen to the test. If it is just rhythm dictation, you can
pick a single note to dictate the rhythm. The majority of the time I have you dictate
rhythm and actual notes (aka “melody playback”).
When I get to the melody playback
(typically the last part of each test), please write out what I tell you: “This
is in treble clef, in D major, in 3/4 time, and is 4 measures long.” So, you
would pause the test and draw a treble clef, the correct key signature for D
major in the treble clef, a 3/4 time signature, and 4 blank measures. If you
watch the video below, you will also know that you should also write out
1&2&3&4& under the measures to help you get the correct
dictation (as needed).
Helpful
video:
"How to practice dictation and dictation examples"
(This is under the “Theory
and Ear-Training Festival” page near the bottom on the blog.
In the melody playback, when I
play the tonic chord, it is always in the key that I state (tonic means “one”
chord). This will help you get your first note correct. Pause and think about
the notes and intervals as you are looking for the correct notes to write. This
takes time and patience, but you will get better as you do it.
If you need to check anything,
please do so after listening to the example several times and trying your
hardest to figure it out. We are giving your ear a workout, so don’t check the
answers until you have tried your hardest and/or are complete with the test and
want to know how you did.
