I am currently working on grade 4 Violin.
But I am a bit confused with people talking about theory exams what are they and when do you need to do them? which grade do you need to start them at? or is it included with the exam you do? If there seperate when do they happen the same time as your pratical exam? How much does it cost if it is seperate?
Full Version: Theory Exam!
QUOTE(bextheviolinist @ Apr 16 2008, 09:13 PM) 
I am currently working on grade 4 Violin.
But I am a bit confused with people talking about theory exams what are they and when do you need to do them? which grade do you need to start them at? or is it included with the exam you do? If there seperate when do they happen the same time as your pratical exam? How much does it cost if it is seperate?
theory exams are for the people on ABRSM syllabus. you need grade 5 minimum to do the higher grades 6-8. The exam you enter for separately and is on a different date and the cost is around half the price of the corresponding practical exam.
There are alternates to grade 5 theory: including grade 5 jazz and practical musicianship grade 5
Hi bextheviolinst 
I'm a bit of theory enthusiast so I'll see if I can answer your questions, but I'm only a G5 student myself so hopefully somebody will correct it if I say anything incorrect. I'll only talk about the ABRSM board, I don't know about the other exam boards.
what are they?
There are graded Theory of Music exams from Grade 1 to Grade 8. I've seen Grades 1-5 described as the "building blocks" of music, ie you have to understand things like scale construction, key signatures, different clefs, time signatures and lots of other things. If you go to this page on the ABRSM web site, you can download a PDF of the theory syllabus which tells you exactly what you'll be tested on for each grade.
You can get ABRSM study books and various other study books published by other people, together with past papers and model answers to test yourself. Some people have a separate theory teacher, others manage without a theory teacher at all, some cover it with their instrument teacher.
when do you need to do them?
You cannot take G6, G7 or G8 on your instrument unless you have passed G5 theory, or Grade 5 Practical Musicianship or Grade 5 Jazz.
Grades 6-8 are more about harmony and composition. Comparatively few people do the higher theory grades. You don't *need* to do them at all, unless you're planning to teach music, in which case it is probably desirable that you take them.
The majority of students go straight in at Grade 5 theory. In my opinion there are, however, advantages to taking the earlier grades - you learn more gradually so the information is more likely to stick, your understanding is likely to be more thorough, the process is not so daunting, you're possibly more like to pass G5 when you get to it etc. I took all the grades 1-5 and really enjoyed it, whereas if I'd gone straight in at G5 I think I would have been very stressed out over it. If you like doing logic problems or puzzles, you'll probably enjoy doing theory
You don't have to take theory exams in parallel with your instrument exams. For instance I've taken G5 theory but I'm still only G3 clarinet.
is it included with the exam you do?
No, they are completely separate exams.
when do they happen?
Unlike the practical exams, the theory exams take place on one specific date, three times a year. The dates for 2008 (UK) are 27 Feb, 14 June and 6 Nov. The closing date for applications for the June session is 25 April, and 19 Sept for the November session.
How much does it cost if it is separate?
Grade 1 £18.50
Grade 2 £19.50
Grade 3 £21.70
Grade 4 £23.90
Grade 5 £26.10
Grade 6 £29.90
Grade 7 £32.10
Grade 8 £34.80
If there's anything else you'd like to know, don't hesitate to ask. You'll find lots of advice on many aspects of theory in the Theory Forum. Many people enjoy theory and will be happy to try and help you with any queries
I'm a bit of theory enthusiast so I'll see if I can answer your questions, but I'm only a G5 student myself so hopefully somebody will correct it if I say anything incorrect. I'll only talk about the ABRSM board, I don't know about the other exam boards.
what are they?
There are graded Theory of Music exams from Grade 1 to Grade 8. I've seen Grades 1-5 described as the "building blocks" of music, ie you have to understand things like scale construction, key signatures, different clefs, time signatures and lots of other things. If you go to this page on the ABRSM web site, you can download a PDF of the theory syllabus which tells you exactly what you'll be tested on for each grade.
You can get ABRSM study books and various other study books published by other people, together with past papers and model answers to test yourself. Some people have a separate theory teacher, others manage without a theory teacher at all, some cover it with their instrument teacher.
when do you need to do them?
You cannot take G6, G7 or G8 on your instrument unless you have passed G5 theory, or Grade 5 Practical Musicianship or Grade 5 Jazz.
Grades 6-8 are more about harmony and composition. Comparatively few people do the higher theory grades. You don't *need* to do them at all, unless you're planning to teach music, in which case it is probably desirable that you take them.
The majority of students go straight in at Grade 5 theory. In my opinion there are, however, advantages to taking the earlier grades - you learn more gradually so the information is more likely to stick, your understanding is likely to be more thorough, the process is not so daunting, you're possibly more like to pass G5 when you get to it etc. I took all the grades 1-5 and really enjoyed it, whereas if I'd gone straight in at G5 I think I would have been very stressed out over it. If you like doing logic problems or puzzles, you'll probably enjoy doing theory
You don't have to take theory exams in parallel with your instrument exams. For instance I've taken G5 theory but I'm still only G3 clarinet.
is it included with the exam you do?
No, they are completely separate exams.
when do they happen?
Unlike the practical exams, the theory exams take place on one specific date, three times a year. The dates for 2008 (UK) are 27 Feb, 14 June and 6 Nov. The closing date for applications for the June session is 25 April, and 19 Sept for the November session.
How much does it cost if it is separate?
Grade 1 £18.50
Grade 2 £19.50
Grade 3 £21.70
Grade 4 £23.90
Grade 5 £26.10
Grade 6 £29.90
Grade 7 £32.10
Grade 8 £34.80
If there's anything else you'd like to know, don't hesitate to ask. You'll find lots of advice on many aspects of theory in the Theory Forum. Many people enjoy theory and will be happy to try and help you with any queries
QUOTE(skylark @ Apr 17 2008, 12:00 AM)
The majority of students go straight in at Grade 5 theory. In my opinion there are, however, advantages to taking the earlier grades - you learn more gradually so the information is more likely to stick, your understanding is likely to be more thorough, the process is not so daunting, you're possibly more like to pass G5 when you get to it etc.
Very full answer Skylark.
I'd just like to expand on this point though.
Whichever grade you choose to go in at the syllabus includes everything from previous grades. You don't need to take every exam but it is very useful to work through from grade 1 so that you don't have gaps. A set of past papers after completeing each grade is a useful way of checking that you are secure so far before going on.
You might well find that you've actually picked up a fair amount of theory just by learning to play your instrument though this can vary with teaching style and how much you actually take in during any discussion about the music you are learning.
This is a "lo-fi" version of our main content. To view the full version with more information, formatting and images, please click here.