I last took my grade 5 theory exam back in 2002, and passed with merit. I'm going to have more free time after my A levels end next week, and I thought that it'd be good to get familiar with theory during this time. I'm taking A level music and am quite familiar with analysis of music (we do analysis of stuff, from Corelli to Mozart to Milhaud). I was wondering whether it'd be feasible to do grade 6 theory by the end of next year?

And, what theory books would be good for self-study? I don't think I'd get a theory teacher unless I really can't cope.

It is pretty do-able on your own. You could try Music Theory in Practice for grade 6, backed up by the AB pink and blue theory books 1 and 2 see here for book 1. You could always book one or two lessons to help with any bits that you get stuck on. Good luck

you would benefit lodes from the grade 6 work book (not the ABRSM one) that is quite long winded tbh, there is a white book with a big number 6 on the frount most music stores that srock the ABRSM book should also do it, i think it is published by the ABRSM :S was a while ago i did mine.

It is quite alot diffrent fromt he earlier grades 1 - 5, 6 - 8 is built up of 5 secitons the first 2 change with each grade but section 3 are always composing and 4 and 5 genral questions.
were your musical vocabulary will need expand considerably from grade 5

I'm not too concerned about new terms and all, really. I've been quite in touch with music even though I don't take theory lessons.

We do composition & such in A level music, so I'm quite proficient at harmony, having done a portfolio of string quartets, two-part inventions, 20th century composition techniques like tone rows, serialism... the lot. I'm just not quite in touch with stuff that's required for graded exam harmony & theory, so I'd like to get some good and thorough workbooks that would help me understand grade 6 theory much better.

Try The ABC of Theory, and the ABC of Harmony - I used both for my Grades 6, 7 and 8. Also Josephine Koh is good, again for all 3 grades. The Big 6 books are good for when you have a good grounding in the basics. They tell you what to expect in the exam and how to approach the questions, they don't teach you the harmony or theory.

All right, thanks! I'm planning to go to a music shop sale tomorrow, in which they're having a month-long store-wide sale, with 40% discount on all books. I shall get those recommended, and some other piano books.

Another question: How different is a TG theory exam? I was looking through a pamphlet of TG exam fees, and realised they had theory exams! I'm not too sure on the structure of the exam though, like the type of questions, format, how different they are in comparison to AB's...

Could anyone shed some light on a TG theory exam? Doesn't have to be grade 6 theory, but that'll help, nontheless.

I've not done TG theory exams, but a look at the syllabus (on the TG website) will give you an idea. Also, if you are going to a music shop tomorrow, perhaps you could look at some of the theory workbooks.

Believe it or not, I just found out that my brother's friend's mother is Josephine Koh. What a small world!

I'm going to her music studio for some trial theory lessons to get a feel of grade 6 theory, before I commit to either learning by myself or going to her weekly (or her son, who's my brother's friend).

I bought some of the grade 6 stuff & practice papers of 2006 & 2007 yesterday, and they don't seem too difficult, really.

I worked through the Grade 6 theory book (the white one mentioned above with the big 6 on it) early last year, but found I didn't have enough 'general musical knowledge' to sit the exam confidently. I was 13/14 at the time and basically taught myself, it was just the last questions about score reading and stuff I didn't know. I have to say I did find it very different from previous grades, but if you have lots of experience in music/take music as a subject at school I'd say you'l be fine. I am working on my Grade 8 piano currently and have bought another theory book to work through over Christmas, hope to sit the grade 6 theory March next year. If any one has any tips on the composition bit, it would be appreciated! I tend to avoid that part of it

Wow thats really something. I have got her book and think it is really good.

Let us know how you get on.

ET

I bought the white big '6' book yesterday, and I think it's not quite sufficient for me to get through grade 6. Hope my brother gets the Josephine Koh books from his friend soon. Being raised in a very musical family, my brother's friend, I've heard, got his grade 8 in piano aged 10, ATCL at 12, alternating between Trinity & ABRSM until he received all 6 diplomas, ending with FRSM when he was 18.

Btw, what's the "Hedy King Robinson" Prize I've heard about? Is it for people who do well in theory exams?

EDIT: I just did a practice paper for grade 6 to test it out. I scored 86.

It's for people who score Distinction at Grade 6, 7, 8 theory. I got one for Grade 7 cos I got a distinction for that.