Hello again. I have another question about Grade 5 Theory. Do they look at your rough work too? Are there any limitations to what you can use your rough paper for? I am thinking I will need to draw a circle of fifths and a piano keyboard if I have any hope of getting any points - just can't seem to hold everything in my head. Do you think this is ok?

Both of those are absolutely fine.

No, lots of people do that. I also requested more manuscript paper when I did my Grade 5 and that was no problem either. What they wont let you do is take your own in, when I took mine some students brought their own paper and were quite upset that they weren't allowed to have it.

The first thing I always did was draw a piano keyboard. Good luck with your exam and I am sure that you are going to do just fine.

Trish

At one of my theory exams, somebody asked for some more paper and was told they couldn't have any more, which was obviously very unfair on the candidate because the invigilator was wrong. It might be worth all students taking theory exams checking with the invigilator beforehand that they know they can give out extra paper.

I agree!!
I was very surprised when I took my theory exam to see we were only given 1/3 of a A4 sheet of manuscript paper. I was expecting a full page!!!
As it happened it was enough but had I wanted more I would have felt very awkward asking for more in the middle of the exam. If you think you might need more make sure you ask before the exam starts.

Yeah don't worry.
I drew a piano and then wrote all teh keys and key signatures out. Kind of dumped all my memory on the rough paper before I started. I found it worked well as you have plenty of time in the exam.

I certainly wasn't marked down for it

That seems pathetic! What, were they experiencing a paper shortage or what? I use more than that working out the intervals and the chords doing the back papers. Maybe I had better practice writing small before my Grade V in November.

The first thing I did was draw the circle of fifths on that small piece of paper before starting to answer any questions. It was the tiniest circle of fifths ever. I wanted to make sure I still had space to work out my intervals etc....!!!

For my last Theory exam I asked for an extra sheet before I started, didn't use all of it but it was reassuring to have it !

Good Luck

I think I drew the shape of the sharps and flats for all the clefs - its obvious for treble and bass but I always forget for alto and tenor.

Maybe I borrow some magnifying glasses for the occasion as well! But seriously, I hope they are up to giving me at least one decent sheet of paper or panic may set in.

Just put up your hand and ask for more paper. Invigilators like to be asked for things, it gives them something to do and stops them dying of boredom.

I think it is standard practise to get an A5 size sheet of paper manuscript paper, don't forget that you have both sides and you can ask for more. Definitely don't start panicking about paper before the exam.

No they don't - rough work papers are taken in and are later destroyed by the HLR.

I am taking grade 5 theory in Nov, and need to come clean - I have no idea why people write out the circle of 5ths. Which question does it help you with??

It can help you remember what sharps and flats are in each key if you don't simply know them off by heart, or have your own way of working them out.

You can work out key signatures using the circle of fifths. For major keys start at C (no sharps or flats) go up a perfect fifth (G - one sharp), up a fifth again (D - two sharps) etc. Eventually you get round to C again. This is usually written as a circle in a clockwise direction. For flat keys go anticlockwise (perfect fourths down). It also works for minor keys - start on A (no sharps or flats), go up to E (one sharp), up to B (two sharps) etc. For flat keys go down a fifth.

Try this out on a keyboard. Use fingers 1 and 5 (RH) on the C (tonic) and the G (dominant). Move your thumb up to the G (tonic of new key) - finger 5 will be on the D (dominant of new key), which is the tonic of the next sharp scale. Do this for LH too, using fingers 5 and 1. You can then see the dominant-tonic progression of a perfect cadence, which is also often found as a modulation to the dominant key as well as being an ending in itself. Have a look at some piano music and try spotting them.

I have to admit, I didn't write a thing on my rough paper in G5. I never could get my head around the cycle of 5ths (fortunately I had learnt all my major and minor scales by the time I took the exam, so could do them all from memory, and check minors for a raised 6th/7th.

It took me ages to grasp intervals, but I eventually developed a system based on knowing my scales very well, and having a sort of mental flow sheet/method. (Count the number from the lower note, then is it in the major scale? Is it in the minor scale? etc).

But everyone finds different things help...

Thanks to Catherine and Sue for explaining that the circle of 5ths is mainly used for key signatures. I have different methods of recalling them so I perhaps won't draw one on my rough paper! I'll definitely sketch out a couple of octaves on a piano keyboard so that I have a fighting chance of getting the intervals spot on.

As Eldatom said no need to panic as I'm sure they will give you extra paper if you ask for it! My mistake was to not ask!!!!

Is it easier to use the circle of fifths instead of TTSTTTS because thats the way i've learned it, but discovered the circle of fifths this afternoon?

Also does anyone know if its worth learning all the theory terms if its only going to be 1 question? I know basic ones through playing in orchestras etc.

Struggling with Intervals, tonics and composition at the mo. This is my first theory exam, i've been practicing and easily passing the grade 3 papers, just waiting for answers for my grade 5 papers before I start those. Certainly looks more difficult though!!

Desperate to pass though as I want to do another practical exam!!

I'd say it's less time-consuming, it's less to remember and more checkable than TTS etc. Because it's a system of fairly simple relationships, and you don't have to work each scale out from the bottom. That said I just knew all my time signatures and scales by heart when I did theory exams myself so I never used it - but perhaps perversely I always teach it, and encourage my piano students to "discover" it and then to practise their scales "around the circle" and so on.



I'd say, learn a few especially in, say, German and french - the languages you are not used to seeing performance instructions in, but I think reliance on good general knowledge based on your own performing experience should be safe for the most part and allow you to concentrate on areas you are less sure of.

Good luck!

Not always - as mentioned earlier, I've seen them refuse to give it when asked.


I've seen papers where it's been three questions, worth up to 10 points.

All the terms are in the Test Yourself - Theory Terms thread, where as it says on the tin, you can test yourself on them!