Grade 5 music theory

[Tapsaffweather]

I’m hoping someone musical might be able to help! My child has started grade 5 theory lessons as a (free) lunchtime club at school and while she has played piano to Grade 4 she has not studied any theory properly before. We’re both struggling with the exercises and I’m trying to fill in the gaps from grade 1-4 through Google. We have the Discovering Music Theory workbook and answer book. Would it be worth buying the AB Guide to Music Theory parts 1 & 2? We’ve lots of time before she ‘needs’ to sit the theory exam as only just working towards grade 5 practical currently. So we can spend time catching up, I’m just not sure the best place to start. I find some support material expects a level of knowledge already which we’re are missing so we need to go back to basics. Thanks all!

I would recommend the CGP revision guide (the one for Music GCSE). It may not be quite the same spec as Grade 5 theory but it breaks down things like key signatures and time signatures very helpfully. See what you can find on YouTube too.

The ABRSM theory app is quite useful as it gives you the questions in a similar style to the actual exam. You have to start from grade 1 and work through so hopefully will help to fill in any gaps.

I would suggest some tuition. Or ask her piano teacher to do this as part of her lesson. The teacher can set her ‘homework’ each week which is usually a few pages of the workbook for Grade 5, that they go through the following week. Music theory can be a bit impenetrable if you don’t have a musical background.

Its costly to sit the grades so you want her to be very well prepared before she sits the exam to give her the best chance

Following with interest hope that's ok OP.

Thanks all, appreciate the suggestions. She found a good video today on YouTube for intervals so will look for more by the same person. The app and revision guide will be bought too. Bit by bit, we’ll get there! Thanks again.