Music Theory Tuition

I always include music theory in my lessons as a lot of my students go on to take practical exams on their chosen instrument and there is a requirement to take the Grade 5 theory exam before moving onto the Grade 6 practical exams on all instruments. 

I feel that it is very important to start learning music theory right from the beginning with all my students as it helps to familiarise them with note names, Italian terms, articulation, chord structure and learning about key signatures and time signatures and therefore gives a student a very solid knowledge of the background to learning to play an instrument. I teach both ABRSM and Trinity Theory syllabuses.  I use both the exam board workbooks and flash cards with the younger children as it is important that learning music is fun!

For more information call 07967 023 568 or email [email protected].

What is the difference between ABRSM & Trinity College Exams?

ABRSM and Trinity College theory exams are quite different to each other as ABRSM have now moved permanently online and Trinity College offer a written paper or an option to sit an online exam.  This decision was made following the Covid Pandemic.  ABRSM theory exams from Grade 1 to Grade 5 are all online and Grades 6 to 8 are still sat as a paper based exam.  If your child requires reasonable adjustments to be made to their theory exam, the board needs to be made aware upon entering the exam.  This may be because they have one of a number of needs which requires them to have their paper read out to them or may need some other kind of assistance.  Once the board are notified of these needs on entry, they will provide a written paper instead with a full set of instructions as to how to complete the exam.   ABRSM will then send the written paper in plenty of time for the exam. 

ABRSM Exam

The ABRSM theory exam consists of a multiple-choice online exam, which is very convenient as within three hours of booking and paying for the exam, a student can take their official exam. This was implemented during the Covid Pandemic. However, results are only published 28 days after the exam.

Trinity College Exam

Trinity College currently hold up to four sessions a year in which to sit the theory exams. They can be sat in February, May and December in Norfolk but I understand that there may be more opportunities to take these exams in the future and there is a similar waiting time of 28 days for results.

How My Teaching Works

Before sitting the exams we work through the workbooks for each grade and I mark these on a weekly basis and provide an explanation of a particular topic if needed. I can also provide worksheets that I have designed to help with learning certain aspects of the music theory syllabus. 

At the back of both the Trinity College and ABRSM workbooks, there is an exam paper to attempt on completion of the entire book. Both exam boards also have past papers available online for free download, or, if you would prefer, Trinity College offer a more up to date exam paper which needs to be paid for which can be very helpful to complete just before taking the actual theory exam. 

ABRSM have published some sample theory exam papers which can be purchased to practice with before taking the online exam. Each book has four papers in and I get my pupils to complete these depending on their preference of exam board.  ABRSM also have a mock exam paper which students can take before sitting the online exam.  This is available when the exam is entered and paid for and gives the student an idea of what to expect when sitting the actual exam.

If my students are doing their practical grades, then they need to sit for the Grade 5 theory exam but if you decide that you would like to learn for fun, the theory can also provide you with the background knowledge required to play any instrument. 

 I always advise my younger pupils to sit for the theory exam at the completion of each workbook as I find it helps them to retain the knowledge right through until Grade 5.  I realise that this is more expensive in the long run but the feedback I have had from parents has been very positive in doing this.