In musicroom's website, I have come across these books which help preparing for Theory exams. Have you tried any of these stuff? If so, please let me know your comments:

1. Take Five and Pass First Time by Christopher Dunno

2. Theory Of Music Made Easy Grade 5 by Lina Ng

3. Koh: Practice In Music Theory Grade 5 by Josephine Koh

4. Turnbull: Theory Time Grade 5 by David Turnbull

I am confused which to buy cuz I cant just pick it up and skim through the book while web-shopping :-)

Please add to the list if you know any more....

Thanks
Sandesh

Take Five and Pass First Time is a good revision book when you get to grade 5. Presumably you have Music Theory in Practice Grade 5. My students also use Theory is Fun Grade 5 and it explains all the topics clearly. Theory Time Grade 5 has answers in it but I don't use it - for that reason! The other two books I haven't seen but some of my very young pupils use beginners theory books by Lina Ng and love them. Good luck!

I had used Lina Ng's grade 5 book before. Not too bad, easy to understand.

Sounds like a recipe for failure to me.

Seriously, the Christopher Dunn is a good textbook and the Lina Ng a good exercise book. I use them together, as one complements the other.

When I did my grade 5 theory, I found it best to combine several books and take the best from each. No one book is the best, each has good and bad sections.

It is a good idea to use past exam papers as your starting point and then buy a couple of text books to help you answer the questions.

Shelton

I am a teacher, and have used 'Take Five' for a long time now. I also use the Josephine Koh book, which is, I think, clearer than the Associated Board's own theory book. I normally get pupils to buy both and use them together - seems to work for me.

I used Music Theory in Practice and Theory is Fun! Grade 5. I found them very useful. Music Theory in practise was good when I was first coming onto the topics, and Theory is Fun! was a good revision book. I would also reccomend practise papers.

Hi everyone,

Thanks a lot for the info. Can you please let me know which of these books have

1) Answers to the exercies given in it
2) Tips, tricks and easy methods (formulae) to answer the questions (to save time)
3) More examples on Composition of Rhythm and Melody (I am very much worried about this...I want to see and study more examples and exercies of composition....)

Somebody please do me this favor....Noodle has already mentioned that Theory Time has answers...

Thanks a lot!!!
Sandesh