Hi

I did not take music as a subject when I was at school so I don't know much about the GCSE music exam but having to study for my ABRSM theory exam I was wondering if the GCSE exam differs from the ABRSM exam.

Would it be worth while looking into going back as an adult to study for the GCSE exam or if I pass my ABRSM theory exam is there much point?

ive just done my ocr gcse music exam (2days ago), and i did my grade 5 theory 2 years ago. For theory you learn the basic technical stuff about the music itself, like chords, cadences and terms,in gcse you learn more about different types of music (indian classical, baroque, romantic, pavanes galliards and waltzes and stuff) I'd say that theres not much point in doing gcse as an adult because you would learn most of the information in time anyway, but the things that you learn for gcse really does change the way you listen and interpret different kinds of music.

GCSE music and ABRSM grade 5 theory are quite different and focus on different aspects of music. There's probably no real point in doing GCSE now and when you pass grade 5 theory you will be able to do grade 6 practical and above. GCSE music would introduce you to features of Baroque, classical, romantic music etc which helps when you come to grade 6 aural but its not esssential as it can be taught by your practical teacher.