RCM Level 10 ear tests: practice for the final level

Name an interval played once, either as two separate notes or together.

The complete Level 8 list plus the minor and major ninths — an octave plus a half step or a whole step. The delivery changes too: each interval is played once, either as two separate notes (up or down) or as a chord, but not both, so you get a single hearing. For ninths, find the octave first, then listen for the extra step above it; the minor ninth is much harsher than the major ninth. As at Levels 8 and 9, our trainer accepts 'Tritone' as one answer for the augmented fourth and diminished fifth.

Name the quality of a chord played once (major four-note, minor four-note, augmented, dominant 7th, diminished 7th, major 7th, minor 7th).

Seven qualities: major and minor four-note chords (root position or first inversion), the augmented triad, dominant seventh and diminished seventh — and, new at Level 10, the major seventh and minor seventh, both in root position. The major seventh sounds soft and jazzy: a major triad with a major seventh on top. The minor seventh is mellow: a minor triad with a minor seventh. Sort four-note sounds by their base triad first (major, minor or diminished), then by the top note.

Hear a five-chord progression starting on the tonic, then name each chord (I, IV, V, vi and the cadential 6-4).

Five chords beginning on the tonic, from I, IV, V and vi (VI in minor) in root position, plus the cadential 6-4 — the tonic chord's notes over a dominant bass, which then resolves to V. It's played twice, with a pause on each chord the second time. Our trainer plays it through once, then chord by chord, and offers 'Cadential 6-4' as an answer. The giveaway: the bass stays on the dominant while the upper notes move down to form V.

Sing back a four-measure melody (heard three times). In the exam you play it and add I, IV and V chords in the left hand.

Piano students hear a melody of about four measures — in any key with up to four sharps or flats, and in 2/4, 3/4, 4/4 or 6/8 — three times, then play it back and add I, IV and V as solid chords in the left hand. Players of other instruments play back the lower part of a two-part phrase instead. Our trainer has you sing the melody after three hearings and marks the melody only; the harmonization isn't assessed, so practice choosing chords at the keyboard as well.