Hi,
I'm looking for some advice so hopefully someone can help.

I passed my grade 5 theory last year with a distinction and I really enjoyed studying for it. I mostly did lots and lots of past papers which was definitely the right way to do it.

But since then I feel I'm steadily forgetting lots so I'm wondering how I can apply the theory to new pieces I do . I suppose I already to it to some extent but it's the things like the cadences, composing melodies etc which I'm most likely to forget.

I was thinking about putting a checklist or something like that together which I could use when I start a new piece based on the theory grades. Is anything like this available??

Any thoughts would be appreciated

Well I suppose for a start in any new piece, you could check:-

The key and any changes of key, both by key signature changes, and also looking for and identifying modulations.
Are the modulations to relative major/minor, or dominant, or subdominant etc (or any others)

Time signatures and changes in such. Look for any irregular things like 3 notes against 2 etc

Look at the cadences at ends of phrases. What are they ?

Pick out a few intervals and identify them.

Pick out some chords, are they Major, Minor, Augmented or Diminished ? Are they in root position or any inversions?
Also identify any dominant or diminished 7th chords, Are they in root position or other wise ?

Check all musical terms and ornaments , and know what they mean or how to play them !


Hope that will do for a start !

Why not take up composing/ arranging?

You don't say which instrument you play but if you can get together with others to sing or play and arrange your own material that will help you remember - and develop - your musicianship all the time.

Also if you have access to a music library try to spend some time listening to music with the score in front of you.

Try to transcribe the melody/ rhythm/ of a piece you hear - or practise guessing the harmonisation of a tune you know before trying it out on an instrument.

Or do grade 6

Do you play an instrument?
I found that much of what's required (or at least of what really matters) up to grade 5 theory is so much 'everyday' theory that there's very little that it was mostly accumulated knowledge anyway and that very little ever needs revising.

Hi Everyone,
Thanks for the replies.

The piano's my instrument.

I've sort of considered grade 6 theory but will do a bit of research about what's involved with that