View a FREE sample

This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. How, according to George Martin, does a computer multiply 17 by 32?
(a) It will add seventeen 32s together.
(b) It will multiply 10 by 32, then multiply 7 by 32, then add the results together.
(c) It will multiply 17 by 30, then multiply 17 by 2, then add the results together.
(d) It will add seventeen 30s together, then add seventeen 2s together, then combine the results.

2. What is George Martin's explanation for the song title, "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds"?
(a) Lysergic acid diethylamide, or LSD, an illegal psychedelic drug.
(b) Lucy was a stewardess on a flight taken by John Lennon shortly before he wrote the lyrics.
(c) John Lennon's son, Julian, had drawn a picture of his friend, Lucy, floating in a black sky full of stars.
(d) The song was a tribute to John Lennon's mother, Lucy, who often wished for a diamond ring.

3. Engelbert Humperdinck's single, "Release Me," prevented which double-A-side Beatles record from reaching number one?
(a) "Yesterday" and "Strawberry Fields".
(b) "Paperback Writer" and "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds".
(c) "Penny Lane" and "Strawberry Fields".
(d) "Penny Lane" and "Paperback Writer".

4. Which small American record label released "She Loves You" after Capitol Records refused?
(a) Decca Records.
(b) VJ Records.
(c) EMI Records.
(d) Swan Records.

5. As described in Chapter 10, why did George Martin hesitate to honor John Lennon's request to fuse two versions of "Strawberry Fields"?
(a) Fusing the two versions would make the song too long.
(b) They were in different keys and different tempos.
(c) The equipment at Abbey Road made such a task nearly impossible.
(d) They exemplified two different musical styles.

6. While recording the twenty-four-bar climax for "A Day in the Life", George Martin told the orchestra to disobey a fundamental rule by doing what?
(a) They were told not to listen to their neighbors.
(b) He did not tell them to disobey a fundamental rule.
(c) They were told not to tune their instruments.
(d) They were told not to sit in their usual seats, but to mix the different sections of the orchestra.

7. George Martin wrote the musical score for which James Bond film?
(a) "Diamonds Are Forever".
(b) "On Her Majesty's Secret Service".
(c) "Goldfinger".
(d) "Live and Let Die".

8. What, for George Martin, was the main advantage of recording on two tracks instead of one?
(a) Two songs could be recorded on one section of tape.
(b) The rhythms and vocals could be recorded separately.
(c) If a mistake were made on one track, the other track would compensate.
(d) Two vocalists could sing without hearing each other.

9. In the recording studio, what is the function of the compressor?
(a) Allowing the use of a smaller studio.
(b) Protecting the hearing of musicians and engineers.
(c) Providing quiet heating and cooling to the studio.
(d) Lowering the volume of the loudest sounds and enhancing the quietest sounds.

10. After how many attempts, as described in Chapter 9, did Capitol Records agree to release Beatles records?
(a) Four.
(b) Three.
(c) Two.
(d) Five.

11. In 1979, George Martin predicted the now-common change from analog to what sort of recording?
(a) Dialog.
(b) Mp3.
(c) Sampling.
(d) Digital.

12. Regarding orchestration, what does George Martin offer as the secret to good string writing?
(a) Writing a separate part for each musician.
(b) Writing as if for a piano, with parts for left and right hands.
(c) Writing for four parts, as if for four human voices.
(d) Writing all parts close to the piano's middle C.

13. What was the first movie scored by George Martin?
(a) "Yellow Submarine".
(b) "My Fair Lady".
(c) "Take Me Over".
(d) "The Family Way".

14. What password did the Beatles invent, to warn each other about dubious fans approaching?
(a) Gizmo.
(b) Pepper.
(c) Cripples.
(d) Meanies.

15. How many years after George Martin returned to England from America, did he finally receive his requested studio upgrades from EMI?
(a) Five.
(b) Four.
(c) Three.
(d) Two.

Short Answer Questions

1. As described in Chapter 10, the British Post Office prevented the Mastersingers from singing a choral version of what?

2. George Martin states, throughout "All You Need Is Ears", that major change comes to the recording industry at what general interval of time?

3. As mentioned in Chapter 12, where did George Martin first meet the then-unknown composer, Randy Newman?

4. In the 1950s studios had A&R men, meaning what?

5. What was the first difference George Martin noticed at Capitol Studios in America, as compared to Abbey Road, as described in Chapter 8?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 785 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample