I was learning theory with singing teacher in prep for my G5 theory however due to a change in circs i can't afford her fees anymore so 2 questions.

1) what ae my chances of getting a good mark if I work through it myself
2) can i enter myself for the exam?

You can work through it yourself if you get all the right books and don't rush it.

If you are over 18 you can enter yourself, if not you can get a parent to do it or something.

I got Eric Taylor's Music Theory books, and they're excellent. You can definitely work through it yourself, though if G5 is the first theory exam you'd do, it might be an idea to look over G4 and possibly G3.

Can you find another student to study with. This gives you the opportunity to discuss and compare your work and the answers in the "Theory In Practise" Workbooks

Another great book for this which will give you exactly what you need to pass is 'Take Five' by Christopher Dunn (Ithink ... yes, it is, I've just checked!) A music shop or website will know what you want. Another very good book is Eric Taylor's 'First Steps in Music Theory' which goes by grade and is very straightforward and has clear explanations. It's a little red A5 sized book - can fit in a bag, pocket or by the loo for extra swotting !

Working through past papers is a very useful exercise too. Especially if you know someone who will "mark" them for you too.

thanks everyone! I'd already gone through th G1 and G2 ABRSM theory books before my lessons stopped and I was just feeling a bit lost. I have also found out there is a thery club at my school so i will see if I'm allowed to join it or if it's for people who learn music with the school only.... if it is I shall find someone to study with (althugh everyone i know is notoriously unmusical wth the exceeption of my GF but I dunno ifshe does theory yet)

*is beltangirl's girlfriend*

haha i found you!!!!
i do do theory......

Apologies for butting in Beltanegirl but I just noticed that you are from London. So am I. My daughter has to take the compulsory grade 5 theory, too, and she's now working through the books... and I wonder whether you know when the grade 5 theory exam will be held in London? Had a look at the ABRSM website but I'm still not sure?

We are hoping that there'll be one in LONDON at the end of April 2006 as the April holidays will give her a lot of free time to study?

Tess

The ABRSM hold theory exams on three days each year; they are held at exactly the same time throughout the country. The dates for next year are here; theory dates are:

Wednesday 1 March (5pm)
Saturday 17 June (10am)
Thursday 02 November (5pm)

Sorry, I don't get it. Do you mean there's a theory exam in England and Wales on 28 April 2006?

The theory exams in 2006 will be held throughout the UK on Wednesday 1st March (5pm), Saturday 17th June (10am) and Thursday 2nd November (5pm).

Edit - sorry, AP, your post hadn't come up here when I wrote my reply!
Tess, the 28th April is the closing date for applications for the June exam.

Thanks, Jo. Appreciate that - Tess.

you might like to try looking at this book: http://www.refinementofrhythm.com - it has a LOT of practical stuff for everything relating to aural, theory, rhythm, sight reading, harmony, etc - its really good for all those sorts of skills needed for these types of exams