I took and passed my grade 5 theory over 30 years ago and I've forgotten almost everything to do with the actual theory itself.
I'm planning to get back into the grades after my last (and only grade exam in 1994) other than learning the scales do I need to learn all about the theory of music up to grade 5 standard to take grades 6, 7 and 8 in playing my Clarinet?

Regards, Peter.

I don't think you get tested on it; however I think it would be worth at least revising the theory as it comes up in your pieces, especially stuff like the meaning of words Scales/arpeggios are also very good to know - makes sightreading easier!

I can't think of anything else on G5 that is directly relevant to clarinet playing, although I can't remember exactly what is in G5 either Revising the theory would help your musicianship in other ways not directly related to playing solo though.

Welcome to the forums! Clarinet is a good instruments (Not that I'm biased!)

Before this year I last took a grade in 1986 and passed grade 5 theory at school in about 1975. I took some theory lessons last year and went through the grade 5 workbook again. I found it all came flooding back and I rememered more than I thought!

The Grade 5 syllabus has changed a lot in thirty years. I remember using the William Cole books in the 1970s and 1980s to learn all the requirements of the Grade theory examinations.

You may need to prove you took and passed Gr 5 theory in the 1970s, so if you've still got your certificate that would be handy. You could of course work towards and take the latest Gr 5 theory exam for fun if you wished.

There are some everyday basics that you use when playing.
Reading the actual notes and rhythm (probably) goes without saying but I'd add to this common terms, key signatures, knowledge of how your instrument works as a transposing instrument and a beginning awareness of basic harmony (being able to recognise cadence points it the music you are playing can be useful).

Thankfully I do still have my certificate, I'm not sure about doing another theory exam FOR FUN!! I do remember the headache trying to get my brain around it all those years ago.

Cheers sbhoa,
I don't think I'm too bad with basic stuff, reading music, key signatures and transposing music, its the more complicated stuff that I would struggle with.
Hopefully as I learn, these aspects will open up to me.
Thanks, regards, Peter

I would definitely recommend another theory exam for fun! I did my Grade 3, 4 and 5 last year and now working on Grade 6. I am 53 years old, never done theory before like yourself, but definitely would say apart from the benefits of using it for my piano, it is great fun!!! Why not give it a go - you don't actually have to do an exam but work on past papers.

ET

There's even an "I Love Theory Club" here - lots of us enjoy theory! You might find that the way you view it now as an adult is different from how you viewed it as a school student so do have a look at it!

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ET [/quote]
There's even an "I Love Theory Club" here - lots of us enjoy theory! You might find that the way you view it now as an adult is different from how you viewed it as a school student so do have a look at it!
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Funny enough, I just found my old ABRSM little red 'Rudiments and Theory of Music' book, I will take all advice given, gratefully, and I will try to work my way through, and who knows, maybe it could be another new challenge.

Thank-you,

Regards, Peter.

As a non-theory addict though, you probably do remember what you need for your practical playing. That said, my boyfriend and I had a long debate on how to interpret some ornamentation in a piece I'm currently working on last night. To tripletify grace notes or not, what on earth you're meant to do with a turn over a dotted quaver, where the notes don't quite seem to run smoothly and so on...

Of course, if you have a teacher (which I don't) you don't have to worry about trying to figure out this sorta stuff all by yourself...

Theory's important, and will improve your practical musicianship. Enjoy it!