Grade 6 Theory, On my own? Options

[PianoSecrets-x]

Would you say it's possible for me to teach myself grade 6 theory, or do i need a teacher?

[katyjay]

Well, I did it, so it can be done.

[PianoSecrets-x]

That's encouraging (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

How long did it take you?

[katyjay]

Serious revision and working through papers took me about two months.

But I'm me, I study in my own way. You will do things differently because you're not me....

[PianoSecrets-x]

Ok, thanks (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[Horatio]

So why do you want to teach yourself Grade 6 theory? You already have Grade 5, why do more?

[YetAnotherPianist]

What an utterly bizarre question (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif). Higher grade theory is both interesting and useful; theory isn't just something one does to satisfy the prerequisite of needing grade 5 theory for grades 6-8 practical.

AP and I self-taught ourselves grade 6 theory in a couple of months. Past papers, the ABC in Harmony, and the 'big 6 book' were very useful (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif).

[boogiecat]

Absolutely

I taught myself grades 6-8 theory in a year, taking the exams in the three consecutive terms. I just used the AB books. And I passsed them all, G6-7 with 80+.

I had studied some harmony before however which made it much easier.

[PianoSecrets-x]

So why do you want to teach yourself Grade 6 theory? You already have Grade 5, why do more?

Because I like it and want to do the higher grades!

Thanks everyone ... I'm going to start working through the ABRSM workbook when all of my exams have finished this Summer (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[jennthesaxplayer]

YAY!! That is excellent stuff! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/party1.gif)

ALWAYS AIM HIGHER!!!! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

I passed my GRADE 6 in April, and now I am teaching myself to get up to Grade 8 standard by November-time which is when the exam is (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)


Go for it!!

[pianoboe]

Go for it! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)
I'm still stuck at Grade 4. I enjoy it but honestly, the teacher who does lessons of it at school is quite frighteningly boring!

[Horatio]

What an utterly bizarre question (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif). Higher grade theory is both interesting and useful; theory isn't just something one does to satisfy the prerequisite of needing grade 5 theory for grades 6-8 practical.

AP and I self-taught ourselves grade 6 theory in a couple of months. Past papers, the ABC in Harmony, and the 'big 6 book' were very useful (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif).

Certainly not a bizarre question. I asked it because I was interested in the answer. Nice of the original poster to supply one. Why should you tell me what theory is or isn't? it's certainly not interesting or useful to everyone - people are all different you see.

[sarah-flute]

Certainly not a bizarre question. I asked it because I was interested in the answer. Nice of the original poster to supply one. Why should you tell me what theory is or isn't? it's certainly not interesting or useful to everyone - people are all different you see.

It was a slightly bizarre question: surely it's pretty obvious that for some people there's more to theory than "You already have Grade 5, why do more"...

And YAP's "it's interesting and useful" comment IS an answer - it may not be an answer that you agree with, nonetheless for many higher-grade theory students, it's a perfectly valid answer.

If there were no point in theory beyond getting grade 5 in order to do the higher practical grades or getting grade 6 in order to take a teaching diploma, then the AB wouldn't need to bother with grades 7 and 8 theory at all. And yet people are asking why the AB don't offer a theory diploma... manifestly, "You already have Grade 5, why do more?" is a question that could as well be answered "Why not do more?"

"Why are you doing grade 6 theory?" is one thing. The assumption behind "why do more because you already have all you need for taking higher grades?" is that no one could possibly like theory for its own sake. And yes, considering how many people enquire about the higher grades of theory (not to mention AMusTCL), and clearly are doing it/like doing it, it is a rather strange question.

[Horatio]

Certainly not a bizarre question. I asked it because I was interested in the answer. Nice of the original poster to supply one. Why should you tell me what theory is or isn't? it's certainly not interesting or useful to everyone - people are all different you see.

It was a slightly bizarre question: surely it's pretty obvious that for some people there's more to theory than "You already have Grade 5, why do more"...

And YAP's "it's interesting and useful" comment IS an answer - it may not be an answer that you agree with, nonetheless for many higher-grade theory students, it's a perfectly valid answer.

If there were no point in theory beyond getting grade 5 in order to do the higher practical grades or getting grade 6 in order to take a teaching diploma, then the AB wouldn't need to bother with grades 7 and 8 theory at all. And yet people are asking why the AB don't offer a theory diploma... manifestly, "You already have Grade 5, why do more?" is a question that could as well be answered "Why not do more?"

"Why are you doing grade 6 theory?" is one thing. The assumption behind "why do more because you already have all you need for taking higher grades?" is that no one could possibly like theory for its own sake. And yes, considering how many people enquire about the higher grades of theory (not to mention AMusTCL), and clearly are doing it/like doing it, it is a rather strange question.

Rubbish.

As I said, I was interested in why she wanted to do more. most people don't. Yes, there are a few people who enjoy theory, and take exams to prove it, but MOST people don't want to go further than Grade 5. It's always interesting to find out why someone wants to take it further, and for me this wtemmed from the fact that the original poster had not done any higher practical grades.

You are not justified in pontificating on why people choose to do theory, or to pass judgement on the value of my question, which was addressed at somebody else anyway.

[sarah-flute]

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.