←
Music Maestro resources
Free piano study guide

Grade 1 theory practice without the guesswork

Use this page to check the fundamentals that support early piano exams: notation, keys, scales, intervals, chords, time, terms and listening. Try each question before opening its answer.

Independent resource: Music Maestro is not affiliated with or endorsed by AMEB. Requirements can change, and questions about a student’s examination should be checked with their teacher and current official syllabus. These are original practice questions, not past AMEB examination questions.

What to practise

Notes and rhythm

Treble and bass notes, common note/rest values, and simple time signatures.

Keys and scales

C, G and F major; their relative minors; and early harmonic minor patterns.

Intervals and chords

Count intervals by number and recognise root-position major triads.

Terms and listening

Common tempo, dynamic and articulation terms; pitch direction, pulse and cadence character.

Ten original practice questions

01Which sharp appears in the key signature of G major?

Show answer
F sharp. G major has one sharp: F♯.

02What is the relative minor of F major?

Show answer
D minor. F major and D minor share the same one-flat key signature.

03Which note is raised in A harmonic minor?

Show answer
G becomes G♯. Raising the seventh degree creates the characteristic harmonic-minor leading note.

04How many beats does a crotchet receive in 4/4 time?

Show answer
One beat. The lower 4 in 4/4 tells us that the crotchet is the beat unit.

05How many crotchet beats belong in one bar of 3/4?

Show answer
Three. The top number gives three beats; the lower number makes each beat a crotchet.

06Count from C up to E, including both notes. What interval number is it?

Show answer
A 3rd. Count C–D–E: three letter names. At this level, the interval number is the important part.

07Which three notes form a C major triad in root position?

Show answer
C, E and G. They are the first, third and fifth notes of the C major scale.

08A dominant chord moves to the tonic chord (V–I). What cadence is this?

Show answer
A perfect cadence. V–I creates a strong sense of completion.

09What does Allegro tell a performer?

Show answer
Play fast or lively. It is a tempo direction.

10How should notes marked staccato sound?

Show answer
Short and detached. Leave clear separation between the notes.

A realistic seven-day plan

DayTen-minute focusFinish with
1Treble and bass note namingFive notes without a mnemonic
2Note values and 2/4, 3/4, 4/4Clap one bar steadily
3C, G and F major scalesName each key signature
4Relative and harmonic minorsName the raised seventh
5Intervals and major triadsBuild C, G and F triads
6Tempo, dynamics and articulation termsExplain five aloud
7Mixed reviewRetry every missed question

How parents can help

Keep the questions short and ask the student to explain why, not only state an answer. If an answer is uncertain, return to the piano or score and make it concrete. Stop before concentration disappears; consistent ten-minute sessions are more useful than one long session before a lesson.

Piece-specific questions—such as title, composer, key, signs and terms in the student’s own repertoire—should be practised from the actual score with their teacher.

Turn the checklist into practice

Grade 1 activities are free and require no account. Start with a rhythm drill, a mixed daily set, or review the transparent topic coverage first.

Practise note valuesTry the daily challengeSee topic coverageMoving to Grade 2?