Grade 5 theory

[jackg]

Advice please for studying grade 5 theory near Bristol.

I have read through and done most of the exercises in grades 1-4 theory books and some of G5, I also have Eric Taylors book. I can continue to work through the G5 theory book but not sure if I need any external help, I guess my teacher would mark it but what about the exam?

Learning G5 on the piano and I need to integrate some theory with the practical as well as being useful to know.
Thanks

[Gill the Piano]

Let your teacher mark it an then s/he'll tell you if you're ready for the exam (often a massed affair, held in a local school).

[Colin Nicholson]

The theory examinations are held at local centres/ school halls/ colleges etc. throughout the UK. Grade 5 theory is a 2 hour written paper, consisting of 7 questions: Intervals, extracts of music, SATB, drawing scales, melody writing, transposition, chord progressions.... as you may know - that sort of thing.

The exams are held 3 times a year, so if you have not entered for this autumn (exam date is Wed 3rd November) - then you'll have to wait for the spring - the closing date was Sept 24th. Get your teacher to fill in an application form for 2011. Also, there are Specimen Theory papers to practise on.

[markymark]

Yes! Music theory exams cover Grades 1-8.

Both Trinity Guildhall and ABRSM require that you have passed Grade 5 theory before progressing beyond Grade 5 practical so theory tests would be something you should seriously consider.

[Colin Nicholson]

Hi Kari,
Grade 1 theory isn't that difficult, the exercise book is about £3.50 - called "Music Theory in Practice" by Eric Taylor - this book you actually write in, and complete exercises. You can also buy the "AB Guide to Music Theory" which is a text book, explaining everything Book 1 covers Grades 1 - 5, and has a lovely pink cover!

Grade 1 theory consists of this:-
Note names - semibreve, dotted minim, minim, crotchet, quaver & semiquaver (and some of their dotted equivalents) - and rests, their value and tied notes.

Simple time signatures 2/4 , 3/4 and 4/4 - bar lines, grouping of notes/ beaming quavers & semiquavers. Composition of a 4 bar rhythm, with a 2 bar introduction (then you have to give an answer).

The stave. Treble & Bass clef. Naming notes on the stave. Sharps, flats & naturals - and their awareness of them in a key signature, and their cancellations.

Construction of the major scale, with and without key signatures in the keys of C,G, D and F major - in both clefs. Tones & semitones/ tonic triads/ degrees of the scale and intervals.

Answering short questions about an extract of music (melody), concerning tempo, dynamics, performance directions and articulation markings.

When the book is complete, my pupils then move onto the past exam papers and then eventually sit the theory exam.

[gizzy]

markymark said: "Both Trinity Guildhall and ABRSM require that you have passed Grade 5 theory before progressing beyond Grade 5 practical"

I am pretty certain - and I have just looked it up - that grade 5 theory is NOT compulsory for hgher grade practicals in Trinity Guildhall. Obviously, the theory itself is pretty essential, but not the taking and passing of the exam.
If I'm wrong, then TG's regulations are misleading:

"No theory qualification is required in order to enter for these examinations, although a separate series
of theory examinations is available for teachers who wish to use these as a complement to practical
training"

Linda

[Colin Nicholson]

Yes Linda, I think you're right. I don't use TG syllabus' - only AB, but I remember several years ago reading up on TG Regulations - unless it's changed, I think just the AB insist you pass Grade 5 or higher in theory. Sometimes even the AB syllabus is misleading! You don't actually have to sit Grade 5 theory to do Grade 6+ practical, you can do a higher theory grade, as long as its Grade 5 or above. I have a few pupils ready to do their Grade 5 theory this Wednesday coming, and boy, their melody writing in the minor mode is quite tricky for them!