How long to do grade 8 theory? Options

[eroica]

Hi all,

I have recently decided to go back to college for more tuition, but one of the requirements of the course is that I have to do grade 8 theory in my own time to supplement my tuition.

I have grade 5 theory already, but I'm just wondering if anyone would know how long it would take to get up to grade 8? I'm fairly studious, and have an LRSM in performance already; so I'm thinking I could get it done in three months with a couple of hours study per week.

Any thoughts? Does this sound too ambitious maybe?

thanks.

[wurlitzer]

I should think that it would be possible in this amount of time. I did grade 5 theory in April 2010 and stopped all theory lessons there. I took up theory in my own time February 2012 but did next to no work on it really (just a quick crash course the week before the exam (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ph34r.gif) ) and got a good pass on grade 7. My plan is to take grade 8 in November (but do more work to prepare for it than for grade 7!) with the hope of getting a distinction (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

I should think you will be fine, and hopefully I will too! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)
Good luck!

[eroica]

Hi Wurlitzer,

Sounds like it may be possible then to aim for November. Many thanks for that, and best of luck in your exam.

[BitterSweet]

Hi Wurlitzer,

Sounds like it may be possible then to aim for November. Many thanks for that, and best of luck in your exam.

I would say you are probably best to work through the books for 6, then 7 and then 8, as that builds up the knowledge in the way the ABRSM structures the syllabus and the questions.

There is a definite leap from 5 to 6 in how the questions are constructed etc, with much more implied knowledge. November is pretty ambitious to get all the way to 8 unless you're already competent in understanding the construction of harmony and the vocabulary of figured bass etc. You might want to see how far you've got by the time the applications have to go in. If you're not on the 8 books by then, you might want to consider waiting. Can't imagine you wouldn't be ready by next spring at the latest, unless you have fundamental trouble with understanding the content.

I'm always a bit cautious with encouraging people to speed through exams, as I don't know you well enough! Better to wait a bit longer and be sure of a good pass, imo. (Speaking as an exam-addict...)

Whatever you decide - good luck!

[Chood]

I had to do my grade 8 theory to get into Uni, had to work through grade 6-8 in 9 months, three books that were really helpful were: Harmony in Practice - Butterworth, and Theory Workbook, Grade 8 - ABRSM and Guidelines on Melody Writting with exercises - Eric McDonald and Chan-Chiu Lu Yah.

Hope this helps!

Good luck!

[Clarimoo]

Well done Chood, that is most impressive.
On the other hand it has already taken me years and I'm currently working towards grade 7. But I don't have a deadline or a powerful incentive so I don't really mind how long it takes. I have already studied two Open University courses on the way and had a great deal of fun. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[inigo]

This is all very encouraging - I'm also planning to take grade 8 theory either this coming or next session. I don't honestly have a compelling reason to take the exam except for an interest in theory, a practical grade 8 last year, and an unwillingness to let skills go through lack of use (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) . I did 'A' level music more than 30 years ago, (and G5 theory sometime in the dark ages (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) ) and I imagine it has changed quite a bit so I expect my theory knowledge to be a bit patchy now.

I have the Theory workbooks for grades 7 and 8 to work with, and some past papers, and people seem to recommend the Harmony in Practice book so I will look out for that too.

Best of luck with your exam eroica!