Identifying keys, modulations, and cadences on a piano is tested in the Grade 8 music theory exam, causing concern among tone-deaf students who don’t play the piano. Students could not test their piano compositions on a keyboard during the three hour exam, which involved a significant amount of composition theory work. What should students do?
We typically provide students with step-by-step guidance on keys, modulations, chord progressions, and cadences to ensure a beautiful piano piece, a process easily grasped by most students. Yet, many contenders are unfamiliar with the piano, favoring instruments like violins, trumpets, and guitars. They have difficulties to ‘hear’ the tunes in their head, and unable to identify the keys and chords, we would advice them to find a relevant chords based on the notes partially given on the score to form a 3-note
chord or harmony. From the chord names, a melody can be built using passing and auxiliary notes to fill gaps between chord tones and create a smoother sound. The right hand, based on the bass notes, will still sound good even with these additions.
Where the bass notes are missing, the left-hand accompaniment chords can be figured out from the available right-hand melody notes. Even without a keyboard, this strategy lets candidates achieve good scores because the notes create consonant harmonies that sound pleasant. When exam candidates struggle with key and chord analysis in piano composition, this is the scientific approach. This method improves their scores compared to leaving blanks. WhatsApp Jenny (98256286) to register for our music theory classes (Grades 6-8) and she’ll schedule a slot for you.
