Grade 5 theory - what next? Options

[CJB]

Many moons ago when life was very different - I had a fantastic Music teacher at school. She produced loads of musical events/concerts at school and I found her very inspiring. I hadn't liked my Clarinet teacher so wasn't learning an instrument, but I did O Level Music a year early and then one lunchtime each week she taught a small group of us Grade 8 Theory which I sat alongside my other O Levels at 16. Of course things are different these days but I remember thoroughly enjoying doing it. Back then I didn't realize it's significance and haven't made any use of it, but now DS is starting his theory work I find things coming back to me. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

In case you haven't found it - here's the link to the exam stats...

http://www.abrsm.org/press/factfile/theoryStats.html

At my school everyone doing A level music did G8 theory in the lower 6th. I really enjoyed it as it complimented the A level harmony but as this was 1991 the syllabi have changed since then.

[ViolaMum]

Oh no, having decided to carry on to grade 6, I have discovered that the teacher only teaches to grade 5 and I can't find anyone else locally that does. I will have to ask at the school if there is a club for it.

Maybe you could see if your local Music Trust does Theory lessons. Ours does separate Theory classes which are run by the Pianist who accompanies in the practical exams. Just a thought (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[ilovemycello]

Not a parent but a student:
I really enjoyed taking grade 5 (which I passed with distinction exactly 2 years ago) and am looking at doing grade 6 in the summer session this year. I have found the gap really big, but if you enjoy theory, I would recommend carrying on - it's very interesting! It should also help with the theory component of A level music, which I'm hoping to do (I've just started GCSE - I'm almost 15). True, I don't know anyone my age who's doing it, but I think it's a really good thing to do, especially as it's like an extension to the theory for GCSE/grade 5.

If anything, it's more experience of long exams before the bulk of GCSE's etc! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[madbassoonist]

Not a parent but a student:
I really enjoyed taking grade 5 (which I passed with distinction exactly 2 years ago) and am looking at doing grade 6 in the summer session this year. I have found the gap really big, but if you enjoy theory, I would recommend carrying on - it's very interesting! It should also help with the theory component of A level music, which I'm hoping to do (I've just started GCSE - I'm almost 15). True, I don't know anyone my age who's doing it, but I think it's a really good thing to do, especially as it's like an extension to the theory for GCSE/grade 5.

If anything, it's more experience of long exams before the bulk of GCSE's etc! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

I'm also a student (aged 15) and I did G5 theory in Year 8 the same session as I did G5 practical (piano). Having started lessons with a new teacher in January, I talked a lot with my first teacher and we decided to have fortnightly lessons of harmony/G6 theory, which I'm finding really interesting, and I hope it will help me with A level Music next year! My teacher always used to spend quite a large chunk of my piano lessons talking about theory and chords anyway. In fact, in a TG G5 book that I used when i was working on my piano G4, in one of the pieces there is a chord labelled 'Neapolitan 6th' which I've only recently found out the meaning of! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)