Hey,

So I think it is about time I took my music theory further than grade 5. Unfortunately I won't be able to afford a teacher to teach me it, but am willing nearer the time of the exam to pay for a few lessons..However is it possible to teach yourself? I have a friend who is doing grade 8 music theory is willing to help me if need be.

Also I was wonder which books are going to be the most helpful?

I've been told to get the AB guide to music theory part 2 and the music theory in practice grade 6. However one of the comments on the website when I looked was that this didn't cover everything, so is there a better book or other which would cover it?

I'm planning on getting some past papers nearer the time too.

Thanks Lisa x

The Grade 6 Thoery Workbook (also published by the Associated Board) goes into a bit more detail, so that would be a good investment. Also, Butterworth's Harmony in Practice would be an excellent purchase.

It's certainly possible to teach yourself, especially since you have a friend who is further on and willing to help with any problems you encounter.

I would advise against "Music Theory in Practice Grade 6". I found it next to useless and had a lot of stuff in there that was no longer on the syllabus. It was just confusing and stressful.
The Theory Workbook 6 published by ABRSM was much better. That's the one with the big 6 on the front cover.
The other book that I would recommend is Harmony in Practice by Anna Butterworth (plus the answer book) This was excellent and very well explained. You don't need all of it as it covers up to grade 8 but it is very easy to pick out which sections are relevant. On some other thread I seem to remember typing a list of the exact chapters and pages I had used for my grade 6 - if you look through the Theory and Composition section of the forum you will find some other threads about materials for self-study of grade 6 and it will be in there somewhere.
Past papers are invaluable and I would suggest you get them sooner rather than later so you can see exactly the type of questions asked - particularly for questions 4 and 5 where you are asked about extracts of music.

As to whether it is possible to teach yourself - yes it is. Lots of people on this forum have done it and done well, myself included. It is a good idea to have someone look over your work to make sure you are on the right track with things like harmony and figured bass. Having said that, I didn't have help and still managed it.

The best book is Rudiments and Theory of Music (the famous "little red book") which was published by ABRSM but unfortunately it's been out of print for many years now. I have in the past managed to find some second-hand copies on the internet and in bookshops. It's a brilliant little book and is arranged grade by grade, rather than the AB guide which doesn't make it clear exactly what is needed for each grade.

Thanks for all the replies =)

Seems like i'd be better off getting the grade 6 theory workbook and harmony in practice (butterworth) then.

Also porilo, my mum has that book from when she was little! So I can definitely use that. Though can I everyone how relevant this book is to the exams now?

Thanks everyone =)

Plus some exam papers (and the answer booklets) to see exactly the style of the questions
If you need to ask anything, pop up on here and someone is sure to help.

Music theory hasn't changed much! One of my favourite books was written by Prout at the end of the 19th century - and it's still very relevant, although some of the language used is quite quaint.

In the earlier grades the ABRSM Music Theory in Practice books start at the end of the previous grade, and then take you on step by step. I didn't find the same for grade 6, there seems to be a big gap that you need to bridge between the books.

I read the pink and blue theory books a couple of times (although these go up to grade 8), then used the Grade 6 Music Theory in Practice. I then found that I could understand the first page of the Theory Workbook - which was previously impenetrable.

I also found that doing a lot of arpeggio practice really helped, especially singing the solfa and letternames so that the theory was going in as well as the muscle memory.

Thanks for all the advice =)

Will definitely be getting the Grade 6 theory workbook and harmony in practice workbook. I have the red book as well which seems really good now i've read through it properly.

Will probably get some past papers too and despite my friend helping me I will get a teacher for a few weeks before the exam (once booked) to go over everything just in case. I'm in the process of learning all my scales and arpeggio's properly at the moment so hopefully that will help.

Also I have you lot on here to help if all else fails!


Another question sorry. Where you have the four part harmony for grade 6 is it similar to the chorale stuff you do for technical studies for A level. As they seem similar but instead you work from the bass not soprano. Is this right?

I taught myself Grade 6 theory from the pink 'Grade 6 Theory in Practice' book, and the blue Grade 6-8 ABRSM book, and somehow managed to pass! I also did loads of past papers and had one or two lessons with my flute teacher (she LOVES theory!!) in the week leading up to the exam.
And yes, it's really similar to the A-Level, but yes, you work from the bass line (which personally I think is much easier)
Good luck!

The website www.mymusictheory.com looks really good. It breaks it all down with lessons and exercises.

Thanks! =) Might take me some getting used to but at least it is similar so hopefully won't go to far wrong.



Wow thanks that site looks really good =) thank you

My father gave me a rudiments and Theory of music book, from 1958 0,0 ~ I have read it up to grade 4, ~

Fairly recently AB released 2 theory reading books to go with the Eric Taylor Theory in practice books.

Maybe the blue theory book would help somewhat with the practical?

The new version is First Steps in Music Theory.... Still a little red book arranged by grade.

The blue book mostly covers things beyond grade 5.