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ABRSM Music Theory Grade 6 Mock: Harmony, Harmonisation, Melody, Score Reading
TUTORZONE ORIGINAL MOCK PAPER · ABRSM MUSIC THEORY GRADE 6
Written to the ABRSM theory syllabus (from 2020): Grade 6 is paper-based, 3 hours (10:00-13:00), 100 marks; Pass 66-79, Merit 80-89, Distinction 90-100. It tests four types: harmony (figured bass), melody harmonisation, melody writing and score reading. Four questions for 100 marks with model answers (letter note-names and Roman-numeral/figured-bass notation).
What is in ABRSM Music Theory Grade 6?
Direct answer: Grade 6 is a 3-hour (10:00-13:00), 100-mark written exam with four types: harmony (figured bass), melody harmonisation, melody writing and score reading. Pass 66-79, Merit 80-89, Distinction 90-100.
Assessment at a glance (2027)
| Component | Content | Weighting | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 Harmony (figured bass) | Four-part/keyboard harmony with figured bass | ~25 | about 45 min |
| Q2 Harmonising a melody | Chord the 8-bar diatonic melody | ~15 | about 25 min |
| Q3 Melody writing | Continue 8 bars, with optional modulation | ~25 | about 45 min |
| Q4 Score reading | Key, ornaments, cadence, phrase structure | ~35 | about 55 min |
Four questions in 3 hours: about 45 min on harmony, 25 on harmonisation, 45 on melody writing and 55 on score reading, leaving 10 to check.
How this paper was built
This is a TutorZone original mock paper: the questions follow the ABRSM Grade 6 structure (paper, 3 hours, 100 marks, four types) and the model answers are our own, not ABRSM papers or official marking references.
Notation is shown as letter note-names plus Roman-numeral/figured-bass symbols (text format); in the real exam you write on staves.
Pacing
| Section | Marks | Suggested time | What to do first |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 Harmony (figured bass) | ~25 | figure the bass first, then fill three parts | keep common notes, avoid parallel 5ths/8ves |
| Q2 Harmonising a melody | ~15 | mark cadences first, then fill chords | lead with I, IV, V; substitute vi, ii |
| Q3 Melody writing | ~25 | plan phrases and cadences first | modulate via a clear pivot chord |
| Q4 Score reading | ~35 | answer each item with a reason | judgement, reason and example |
How should the 3 hours be split?
Direct answer: about 45 min on harmony, 25 on harmonisation, 45 on melody writing, 55 on score reading, leaving 10 to check.
Grade 6 mock: 4 questions (100 marks)
Four questions for 100 marks; notation is letter note-names plus Roman/figured-bass symbols – in the real exam write on staves.
Question 1 (25 marks)
Question 1: harmony (figured bass). In G major, above the given bass G-B-C-D-G (one note per bar, five bars), add harmony in four parts (or for keyboard) and figure the bass (5/3, 6/3, 6/4).
Question 2 (15 marks)
Question 2: harmonising a melody. For the given 8-bar melody in C major, indicate a suitable chord for each bar (I, ii, IV, V, vi) and label the cadence as perfect or imperfect.
Question 3 (25 marks)
Question 3: melody writing. In F major, using the given opening F-A-G-F, continue an 8-bar melody (state your instrument), modulating where appropriate to the dominant C major and ending with a perfect cadence.
Question 4 (35 marks)
Question 4: score reading. For a piano extract: (1) name the key and justify it; (2) identify one ornament (appoggiatura, anticipation or changing note) and give its realisation; (3) state the cadence; (4) describe the phrase structure.
How is notation shown in this text paper?
Direct answer: note-names (C, D, E…) plus Roman/figured-bass symbols (I, V, 5/3, 6/4); the real exam is written on staves.
Model answers and marks per question
Question 1
Model answer: I (5/3) -> I6 (6/3) -> IV (5/3) -> V (5/3) -> I (5/3): G major (root) -> G major (1st inversion, B in the bass) -> C major (root) -> D major (root) -> G major (root). Check the three upper parts: keep common notes, move the rest by step.
Question 2
Model answer: I – V – I – IV – V – I – V – I; the final two bars V-I form a perfect cadence (the V chord holds the leading note B resolving to C). Lead with I, IV, V; use vi and ii as substitutions to avoid repetition.
Question 3
Model-answer points: (1) bars 1-4 stay in F major, developing the F-A-G-F figure; (2) in bars 4-5 introduce B natural as the pivot note into C major, with V-I (G major to C major); (3) the last two bars make a perfect cadence (G-C) in C major. A modulation needs a clear pivot chord, not an abrupt jump.
Question 4
Model-answer points: (1) Key: use the key signature (e.g. one sharp) and the final note to decide G major or E minor, then settle it by the leading note and cadence (G major ends on G with the F-sharp leading note) (8). (2) Ornament: an appoggiatura falls on the beat, realised as the ornament then the principal note sharing the time (9). (3) Cadence: V-I is perfect (8). (4) Phrase structure: an antecedent-consequent “4 + 4” pair (question then answer) (10).
Where are harmony marks most easily lost?
Direct answer: parallel 5ths/8ves; modulating without a pivot chord; and misreading cadences (V-I is perfect, V-vi is interrupted).
Where these marks are usually lost
| Mistake | What it looks like | What it costs | Instead |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parallel 5ths/8ves | Two parts moving in parallel 5ths/8ves | Breaks four-part voice-leading rules | Keep common notes, move the rest by step |
| Modulation without a pivot | Jumping into the new key | A modulation passes through a common chord | Modulate at a chord common to both keys |
| Wrong cadence | Reading V-I as imperfect | V-I is perfect, V-vi is interrupted | Judge the cadence by the last two chords |
How to use this paper
First sit: the full 3 hours with no references.
Mark it: check voice-leading, the modulation pivot and the cadence in each question.
Second sit: redo three to seven days later, aiming to finish inside 2 h 40 min.
What should I do after finishing this paper?
Direct answer: log the voice-leading and modulation errors; redo three to seven days later inside 2 h 40 min; and consolidate Grade 5 foundations (intervals, keys, basic chords).
FAQ
Is this an ABRSM paper?
No. The questions and model answers are TutorZone originals, not ABRSM papers or marking references.
What does G6 theory test?
A 3-hour, 100-mark written exam: harmony (figured bass), harmonisation, melody writing and score reading.
What score is a pass?
Pass 66-79, Merit 80-89, Distinction 90-100; below 66 is below pass.
Official references
| Resource | What to check |
|---|---|
| ABRSM Music Theory syllabus (from 2020, Grades 6-8) | Confirm the four G6 question types and harmonic vocabulary |
| https://www.tutorzone.com.hk/en-abrsm-grade-5-music-theory-mock-paper/ | ABRSM Grade 5 theory mock (the prerequisite for G6) |
Related: practice area · ABRSM Grade 5 theory mock · ABRSM Grade 6 drill guide
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