I've been focussing on primary age children for teaching because that's where my experience lies, but I have had a possible lead for an adult student. What books are suitable for an adult beginner? Do you use the AB workbooks or something else? I don't want something with too much "copy this treble clef" type of material in it even if it's a very adult approach, as I feel that adults will copy such things as many times as they personally need to in order to get it right, and filling 8 boxes with clefs is not helpful for them. Most of my theory books were quite heavy on that sort of stuff.

I am an adult who taught myself to Grade 5 at the same time as my daughter was learning. We both got distinctions in the exam. I used the same materials as she did, and found the workbooks really helpful as well as the ABRSM's little red book which covers the theory grade by grade. Also doing the exam papers and discussing them with my daughter was a great help.

I had played music a bit (recorder) before I started but knew hardly any theory. I found things like drawing clefs, notes, rests etc correctly, and remembering layouts of sharps and flats for different clefs quite difficult, so lots of repetition was actually necessary and helpful, even if not welcome.

Maybe if I'd been learning without the exam in view, and/or with a teacher a different approach would have been appropriate.

I've generally found that the Music Theory in Practice books suit adults best, but more important in my view, is linking the theory being learnt very closely to the practical study of the instrument. This is important for adults and children, but in my experience is perhaps more the case for adults.

Of course, you could do what I sometimes do, and that is to be really daring and don't have any books - just work from worksheets and practical work!

My teacher taught me just by using past papers. I however, bought myself Theory is Fun, they may be for children but they are easy to read and learn from. I also used I think it is called "Take Five" Pass first time. Brilliant book.

ET

I am currently using the blue AB workbook to study the grade 5 theory. This book makes it easy to break down into understandable chunks and as a result I find it very easy to undestand and learn. Before starting thsi book i could only read in treble clef.

The only section I find at all tricky is the wretched intervals!