Grade 6 Theory, On my own? Options

[Horatio]

Well we'll have to agree to disagree I guess. "Why are you doing higher grades in theory" seems a perfectly valid question, I'd have to agree with YAP that "You already have Grade 5, why do more?" is a rather bizarre one.

Sorry, Sarah-Flute, you have misunderstood me. I was not disagreeing with doing higher theory grades, far from it. I'm working for Grade 7 theory myself, because as a teacher of piano, keyboard and theory I want to be completely on top of what I do, and also I find the whole thing fun. i'm studying with a colleague of mine, who is a high school science teacher, but has done grade 8 piano (former student of mine), and we have a lot of fun together working out the answers to questions and playing each other's attempts at composition. So you see, I am not in the least anti-higher-grade-theory!

My original "bizarre" question was merely out of interest. Most people I teach, and colleagues of mine teach, are anxious to get their pass at Grade 5 and then leave theory behind them. A few, though, take it further, either because they enjoy it, or because they are studying music to A-level and beyond, and the more advanced theory will help them in this. I wondered why Piano-Secrets was so interested in taking theory into levels of harmony, composition, knowledge of score-reading and so on, when she hasn't got to that stage in her practical work yet.

Her answer, that she's interested in it, made a lot of sense. But there really wasn't any need for you or YAP to jump down my throat. I know full-well what theory has to offer, and I admire and respect students who decide to study it.

So, we do not have to agree to disagree at all - I think we are of like mind, but you and YAP, pouncing as you did on my question to PS, just didn't see what I was getting at at all. I hope this has cleared things up, and would appreciate a response. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[sarah-flute]

So, we do not have to agree to disagree at all - I think we are of like mind, but you and YAP, pouncing as you did on my question to PS, just didn't see what I was getting at at all. I hope this has cleared things up, and would appreciate a response. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Ahh. I think your question was a little badly phrased then - "Why do more because you have what you need?" seems rather to devalue theory study. My apologies for misunderstanding though I hope you can see why it happened (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) it was not my intent to willfully misunderstand! (And I don't think I, or YAP, intended to "pounce" on your question - like I say, "Why do you want to study higher grades theory" seems to me a perfectly valid question, and one which may well have an interesting answer - the second part of your question was what I personally had a problem with and I suspect YAP (as someone who has studied higher grade theory) was struck the same way (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif))

[JudithJ]

... I'm going to start working through the ABRSM workbook ...

I am planning to start my theory Grade 6 study this weekend. I have two books: ABRSM Theory Workbook (big six), and new Practice in Music Theory Grade 6 by Josephine Koh.

Has anyone used these two books? Do you recommend one over the other?

[Melody Amour]

I like big 6, but you have just reminded me that I also have Jo Koh. When is your theory exam, Judith.

[JudithJ]

I like big 6, but you have just reminded me that I also have Jo Koh. When is your theory exam, Judith.

I haven't even begun to think about when I'll take the exam. I probably won't bother with the exams for grades 6 and 7. It is the study that I enjoy rather than the exams. I'll do the exam whenever I'm ready, I imagine that it will be over a year.