Are there any books that are useful for the general questions you get on the grades 6-8 theory papers?

One question I read was something about different flutes in Bach era, how on earth am I supposed to know that

I asked Debbie this question in an email recently (I helped her with grade 8 by marking some past papers). She replied, "Harmony in Practise by Anna Butterworth was usefull. It was 16.95 and you can get the answer book for about 10.00. I know that's a lot, but if it saves her paying for a few lessons then it's got to be worth it.

Also, for the general knowledge questions,The Chronicle of Classical Music by Alan Kendall is very helpful"

It looks like the Kendall might be what you are looking for.

Steve

I've got the Harmony in Practice workbook but not answer book. I've only done a bit of the chord and cadence stuff at beginning anyway.

I'll look into getting that other one maybe.

Thanks

You will get some idea from "Woodwind instruments and their history", by Anthony Baines (Faber). I have the third edition, 1967, and there has been quite a bit of research since then, so a revised edition, if there is one, would be better.

I don't remember anything as obscure as that in any of grades 6 - 8... and I did LOADS of past papers.

I'm sure I saw it in one of the workbooks

Like sbhoa, I don't recall anything like that having waded through a few papers. There are questions on standard orchestral / choral scores and their performance directions, that's all.

You can also get instrument specific terms.

I said they weren't in the papers, it was in a workbook. I would like to cover myself incase a question like that did come up