Click on the audio tracks (Mp3 files) below to play samples of Grade 4 ear tests, the first 6 tracks are the harmonic (chords) part of the test.

Remember, you will hear the test twice, followed by a short gap for you to practise, and then you should try to play the correct chords, using the same rhythm (strumming pattern) as the original. This rhythm will be the same one you hear on the samples below. You should also then NAME the two chords you have played to the examiner.

The tonic chord (Cmajor) is always played at the start to give you a reference point for the chords that follow, you don't need to play over this chord, only over the following two bars, and the chords will be either C, F or G (all major!). The verbal count in: 1,2,3,4 is your cue to start playing.

The next 6 tracks are examples of the melodic part of the ear tests, and form a similar format to the harmonic parts above. The note played first will be either B or C, and that will tell you that the following phrase will be in either the B minor pentatonic scale, or the C major pentatonic scale (make sure you know both of these scales really well otherwise you will find the test much more difficult).

The first note of the phrase will always be the root note (B or C) and the second note will always be lower than the first, so that will help you to pick out the start of the phrase. There is also more than a good chance (although this is not stated as so by Rock School) that the last note of the phrase will either be the same as the first, or will be the root note an octave lower than the first note.

Again, you will hear the test twice, and we have left a gap in the middle of the audio track for you to practise) If you are struggling with the first one or two examples, go back to the scales and arpeggios page and practise the two scales more thoroughly before coming back to this page..