Any teachers here used All in one to grade 5, an intensive theory course by Rachel Billings?

I bought it, and TBH not too keen. I dip in and out of it mostly. Ornaments/intervals are good as has loads of examples/exercises, and the info about the instruments etc is good and reasonably comprehensive.

I mainly use it for reinforcement, if they are struggling with a certain thing at G5. It's a bit jumbled and I find it a bit of a pain for the lower grades. Introduces things in a strange order.

Would you say it's a useful revision book if someone is preparing for grade 5? I've looked at the adverts for it but not sure whether to get it or not.

mmm not sure, at ?15 it's expensive!! I used all the exercises on composition for daughter as she was finding that very difficult, and as said above, the ornaments, intervals and general info.

I think, if you have a complete beginner on theory, and they buy the book and do the exercises wanting to go straight through to grade 5, then it's quite good. BUT if you want them to do any intermediate exams it's a pain.

I think I prefer the more conventional route of working through the topics for each grade, but teaching them the principles in such a way that you don't have to reteach it later (particularly scales/keysignatures)

Hope that helps!

Thanks Dawn. That's really helpful. I think I'll maybe stick to my own fast-track method of teaching grade 5 theory based on AB workbooks and past papers!

sounds like what I do! I do like the Josephine Koh books though, I think they are clearer than the AB ones (I've seen grades 3 & 4). And I prefer the Red "First steps in Music theory" to the ABRSM Pink book!

I don't think I've seen the Koh books up to grade 5. The Pink book is not user friendly enough for the average student! Sometimes my "5 grades of theory in 6 months students" use 'Take 5' as a reference book as it's concise and easy to understand.

I have one that I'm taking from g2 2 weeks ago (did a paper and flew it) to g5 at the end of Nov. I'm leaving her to work on the inbetween bits on her own from Koh whilst I take her through the composition and new topics - triads, cadences etc. She's very bright and I hope this approach will work with her!

I like the Koh books too, they have more exercises and more concise explanations with lots of visual representation. The First Steps book I discovered by accident in a bookshop and my pupils have found it invaluable as a reference resource.

I took theory grades 1-3 and 5 as a kid, my mum bought me the pink AB book and I don't remember opening it once. I used the AB workbooks but found them very dry and waffly, I think I'll stick with the Koh books in future. I'm somewhat suspicious of the books that seem to focus purely on drilling through the G5 exam, I don't think it's a good way to learn.

Thanks for your reply Dawn - very helpful. I think I'll stick to my method too - also grade books and past papers alongside linear learning. I've never tried the Koh books so might take a look at those.

I have seen this book and whilst it might be useful for someone who's done no theory and who needs to do Grade 5 quickly (i.e. taught to pass the exam rather than taught the theory), I don't think it would be much use for general teaching.

I haven't seen the book and haven't particularly sought to see it for that reason.
Whether it's so or not the whole idea suggests exam cramming rather than real learning and understanding.
I will help with cramming if absolutely necessary but I won't do it with my own students.

Spot on!

A question - which is probably a bit off topic, sorry.

Are the workbooks supposed to be a complete learning tool in themselves, or are they supposed to be combined with learning the theory from something or someone else?

I did try the first one, but it seemed to me that you already had to know the answers to be able to do the workbook - so I couldn't see the point, and I went back to reading the pink book.

The workbooks are, well, workbooks and the Pink (and blue) book is more of a general reference book to use alongside workbooks.
Some people get along ok on their own and some find that they need someone to explain at least part of it.
As a teacher I might even supplement the workbook and can help understanding by pointing out the links to what my students are playing.

Thanks.

So as I understand it the workbooks are sort of practice for the stuff one has learned in the pink and blue books? I know some people enjoy filling in workbooks but it reminded me of junior school and I didn't like them back then, either. But in junior school I couldn't refuse to do them - and now I can.

There is some explanation in the workbooks. I'd use them together.
If you are using the AB workbooks they tell you the relevant pages in the pink book to refer to if you need more.
The thing with the pink and Blue books is that they are arranged by topic and not by grade.

For a breakdown by grade First Steps in Music Theory is a handy little book.
If you don't like workbooks you may find that working past papers with either pink book or First Steps for reference. You may not need several exercises on each topic which you get with a workbook.

Yes that is what I did. I must admit I fall in the category of "just wanted to pass grade 5 because I will need it for grade 6 practical", so I just read the pink book, (a lot), and memorised the bits I needed by working past papers. Worked a treat - passed with merit.