Hey Guys,

On the 16th of June I am taking the ABRSM Grade 5 Theory exam at college. This grade is in my conditional offer for university so i need to pass. Though i am very worried that i am going to fail, i studied theory at college last year and i was pretty good at it, only failed last year by a couple of marks. But this year we have hardly done theory, and now the exams up on us.

I have some revision lessons with a teacher of a Friday but im fearing its not going to be enough. I have purchased abrsm grade 3. 4, 5 theory books but its just questions. I also have the pink theory book AB guide to theory part 1.. Is everything covered in here?

Anyway if theres any more books or cd's you can recommend me it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Alan

How about some past papers?

Car Expert

You beat me to it CE.
I'd agree that at this stage working past papers, getting them marked and discussing problem areas would be a good plan.
The pink book had all you need for reference.

Ill give it a go... Were going through past papers tomorrow i think.. But yeah im worried stiff lol

See how it goes and if you are in a knot with anything just keep posting here. We are good at helping!

You can also buy the "First Steps in Music Theory, Grades 1 to 5" another ABRSM book by Eric Taylor. It's a summary of the Pink book and gives you samples of what to expect in the exam. Past papers are a good idea too.

Cheers for all the advice guys

What about 'Take Five and Pass First time' by someone called Dunne I think. It's a good revision book for grade 5 and covers everything you need to know. Ask your teacher what else you should do/need to do.

Good luck!

Cheers mate just ordered that

I'm also doing grade 5 theory on 16th. I started theory after easter with my piano teacher using the pink AB guide to theory and past exam papers. In the last few weeks she's basically just taught me things that are in the pink book, and tested me with sections of the past paper. Seems to be working so far...

I'm taking G6 on 16th June, and am also concerned that i'll fail (55 in last past paper )
So, ways for me to takcle this;
-keep going at past papers and getting them marked (if there's no-one will mark them for you, get the model answers book)
-if there's anything repeatedly coming up, either get lesson on it, or just keep revising it - looking it up on the web and posting here about it
-read through any bits i'm not sure about in ABRSM books (though i just have music theory in practice by Aston and Webb)
-hope for the best and relax - there's 3 weeks today till the exam, and a lot can be done in 21 days!!

Hope this has helped
Good luck - if you nearly got it last time, you won't have forgotton soooo much! i reckon it'll come flooding back!!

These may seem obvious, but might be useful to you:
Make sure you read EVERY question, and part question. Be your own proof reader! Check and recheck your answers. Ask yourself what is required, then read the question again. With the scales: have you put in/ left out the key sig. when asked. Are you going in the required direction?

Intervals: look out for sneaky accidentals in the bar, could be before an up/ down arp. that repeats the affected note, and applies to the interval you're identifying.

And read the first message on this board: the pinned one at the top from DJONES, 'As the next exam fast approaches'
Lots of really useful pointers there,

Good luck,

SS

music theory in practice grade 5 is a good one.

it covers everything you need to know in grade 5!

I'm taking my grade 5 theory exam on june the 9th, but i guess thats because i live verry veryy far from you. All the way in hong kong.

Ive been using the "Take Five" one that was recommended. Must say im really liking it... Though quick question ive been testing myself and i worked out these.. Can someone just tell me if im right? lol

Melodic G Minor

G A Bb C D E F# G F Eb D C Bb A G

Dunno if thats right, hope it is lol

Yes, that's right.

That's correct. Thought I would point out - though it's probably unecessary - that the scales question is a source of easy marks but you can easily lose some or all of them by not reading the question and doing exactly what they ask. It is worth reading the sticky post on this forum entitled "As the next theory exam approaches" or something like that.