View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. 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) They were told not to sit in their usual seats, but to mix the different sections of the orchestra.
(c) He did not tell them to disobey a fundamental rule.
(d) They were told not to tune their instruments.

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

3. How did the recording tape used at Capitol in 1958 differ from the tape used at Abbey Road?
(a) Capitol used half-inch tape to produce a three-track recording, while Abbey Road used quarter-inch tape to produce three tracks.
(b) Capitol used quarter-inch tape to produce a two-track recording, while Abbey Road used half-inch tape to produce three tracks.
(c) Capitol used half-inch tape to produce a three-track recording, while Abbey Road used quarter-inch tape to produce two tracks.
(d) Capitol used one-inch tape to produce a three-track recording, while Abbey Road used half-inch tape to produce two tracks.

4. What three reasons does George Martin offer for some groups' desire not to work with a producer?
(a) They may fear a producer will steal their ideas; they do not want to surrender a large percentage of the profits to an outsider; and they may feel a producer will inhibit their creativity.
(b) They want the glory that comes with producing themselves; they may fear a producer will steal their ideas; and they may worry a producer will rewrite their songs.
(c) They want the glory that comes with producing themselves; they may worry a producer will rewrite their songs; and they may feel a producer will inhibit their creativity.
(d) They want the glory that comes with producing themselves; they do not want to surrender a large percentage of the profits to an outsider; and they may feel a producer will inhibit their creativity.

5. Why did George Martin leave EMI, even though they ultimately agreed to pay him a commission as he requested?
(a) EMI wanted to tie the commission to a specific profit range.
(b) The deal was structured in such a sneaky way that, after subtracting overhead, George Martin would actually owe EMI money.
(c) If he received a commission, he would no longer be allowed to work with established artists, including the Beatles.
(d) If he received a commission, he would receive no salary.

Short Answer Questions

1. After how many attempts, as described in Chapter 9, did Capitol Records agree to release Beatles records?

2. George Martin converted a house in what New England town into a recording studio, to record Sea Train?

3. How far above the original floor does the studio floor at AIR's first studio float?

4. Which Beatle sang the title song in the James Bond film scored by George Martin?

5. As described early in Chapter 8, what was one of the main reasons George Martin enjoyed working with the Beatles?

Short Essay Questions

1. What was the first film scored by George Martin, and why does he refer to the process as a nightmare?

2. What difficulties were presented by John Lennon's request that George Martin fuse together two unique versions of "Strawberry Fields Forever"?

3. How does George Martin compare multi-track recording to a four-layer cake, as described in Chapter 8?

4. In Chapter 11, George Martin expresses his naivety regarding what activities of the Beatles?

5. Briefly describe the controversy surrounding John Lennon's comparison of the Beatles and Jesus.

6. What sites did George Martin consider for AIR's second studio, a residential complex, and where was it ultimately constructed?

7. What, according to George Martin, is the best way to orchestrate for strings?

8. Why, as described in Chapter 10, did George Martin become increasingly frustrated with EMI?

9. Describe the early founding of AIR, Associated Independent Recording.

10. What album does George Martin consider to be the classic example of what can be achieved by a talented amateur with multi-track equipment?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,311 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample