ABRSM Music Theory Resources Page
Updated September 2020
Music Theory
There are new ABRSM music theory requirements for 2020. Grade 1-5 theory exams are now to be taken online.
There are free sample papers and answers available to download via the ABRSM website.
You don't have to take every music theory grade exam, but it is a good idea to work through the theory workbooks and do some past papers so you keep your knowledge up at a similar level to your cello playing - this will help you to learn your pieces and technical work and understand your music more easily, and also make sure you're not in for a shock when you have to do Grade 5!
If you want to go on and do Grade 6 or higher in your chosen instrument, you will need to pass Grade 5 music theory.
Music Theory
There are new ABRSM music theory requirements for 2020. Grade 1-5 theory exams are now to be taken online.
There are free sample papers and answers available to download via the ABRSM website.
You don't have to take every music theory grade exam, but it is a good idea to work through the theory workbooks and do some past papers so you keep your knowledge up at a similar level to your cello playing - this will help you to learn your pieces and technical work and understand your music more easily, and also make sure you're not in for a shock when you have to do Grade 5!
If you want to go on and do Grade 6 or higher in your chosen instrument, you will need to pass Grade 5 music theory.
Music Theory Books
There are a range of music theory books and resources available.
I recommend the "Music Theory for Young Musicians" series, which goes up to Grade 5. These are great for younger students (and adults too!) and have nice well set out pages and colourful pictures. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Music-Theory-Musicians-Second-Studio/dp/9671000355/ Please make sure you get the latest edition. An answer book is also available which covers all 5 books. I often work through these books with my students, and find them to be easy to follow.
Victoria Williams has a range of free and paid for online courses, which will help to prepare you for the exams (www.mymusictheory.com)
If you prefer a printed book, she also offers those via Amazon. Her books have answer sheets in them too.
You can also get the official ABRSM music theory books. (You would need "The AB Guide to Music Theory Grade 1-5", and the "Music Theory in Practice" workbook for your grade. You can buy a separate "model answers" book to go with this.
You can also order past music theory examination papers and answer booklets (ordered separately) at reasonable prices. Each booklet contains 4 exam papers. You can download the NEW THEORY SAMPLE papers from the ABRSM website. The 2017 sample papers (now called practice papers) and answer books are available to buy and reflect the new syllabus requirements.
You may enjoy the Quizlet app, which can help you learn the musical terms. Check that the list you are using is the latest version.
There are a range of music theory books and resources available.
I recommend the "Music Theory for Young Musicians" series, which goes up to Grade 5. These are great for younger students (and adults too!) and have nice well set out pages and colourful pictures. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Music-Theory-Musicians-Second-Studio/dp/9671000355/ Please make sure you get the latest edition. An answer book is also available which covers all 5 books. I often work through these books with my students, and find them to be easy to follow.
Victoria Williams has a range of free and paid for online courses, which will help to prepare you for the exams (www.mymusictheory.com)
If you prefer a printed book, she also offers those via Amazon. Her books have answer sheets in them too.
You can also get the official ABRSM music theory books. (You would need "The AB Guide to Music Theory Grade 1-5", and the "Music Theory in Practice" workbook for your grade. You can buy a separate "model answers" book to go with this.
You can also order past music theory examination papers and answer booklets (ordered separately) at reasonable prices. Each booklet contains 4 exam papers. You can download the NEW THEORY SAMPLE papers from the ABRSM website. The 2017 sample papers (now called practice papers) and answer books are available to buy and reflect the new syllabus requirements.
You may enjoy the Quizlet app, which can help you learn the musical terms. Check that the list you are using is the latest version.
Grade 5 Theory
Please note that to carry on to Grade 6 Cello and beyond you will need to take and pass your Grade 5 written Music Theory examination.
You can get the Music Theory for Young Musicians series of books, which go up to Grade 5. These are great for younger students (and adults too!) and have nice well set out pages and colourful pictures. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Music-Theory-Musicians-Second-Studio/dp/9671000355/. You can buy a separate answer book. I recommend these books.
Here is a helpful online course by Victoria Williams, which will help to prepare you for the exam: https://mymusictheory.zenler.com/courses/grade-5-music-theory-abrsm/ - This one is a paid course, but you can email your assignments to her for marking. This has been updated for the new Music Theory requirements.
She also offers a free version: www.mymusictheory.com/learn-music-theory/for-students/grade-5/free-online-course
If you prefer a printed book, she also offers those via Amazon. Her books have answer sheets in them too.
You can also get the official ABRSM music theory books. (You would need "The AB Guide to Music Theory Grade 1-5", and the "Music Theory in Practice" workbook Grade 5. You can buy a separate "model answers" book to go with this. I find these are a bit "dry".
You can also order past music theory examination papers and answer booklets (ordered separately) at reasonable prices. Each booklet contains 4 exam papers. You can download the NEW THEORY SAMPLE papers from the ABRSM website.
Please note that to carry on to Grade 6 Cello and beyond you will need to take and pass your Grade 5 written Music Theory examination.
You can get the Music Theory for Young Musicians series of books, which go up to Grade 5. These are great for younger students (and adults too!) and have nice well set out pages and colourful pictures. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Music-Theory-Musicians-Second-Studio/dp/9671000355/. You can buy a separate answer book. I recommend these books.
Here is a helpful online course by Victoria Williams, which will help to prepare you for the exam: https://mymusictheory.zenler.com/courses/grade-5-music-theory-abrsm/ - This one is a paid course, but you can email your assignments to her for marking. This has been updated for the new Music Theory requirements.
She also offers a free version: www.mymusictheory.com/learn-music-theory/for-students/grade-5/free-online-course
If you prefer a printed book, she also offers those via Amazon. Her books have answer sheets in them too.
You can also get the official ABRSM music theory books. (You would need "The AB Guide to Music Theory Grade 1-5", and the "Music Theory in Practice" workbook Grade 5. You can buy a separate "model answers" book to go with this. I find these are a bit "dry".
You can also order past music theory examination papers and answer booklets (ordered separately) at reasonable prices. Each booklet contains 4 exam papers. You can download the NEW THEORY SAMPLE papers from the ABRSM website.
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