Grade 5 Theory question

[OldBeanbagz]

DD is doing Trinty and is thinking of switching to ABRSM for her next Grade (5) which i understand means she'll have to do Grade 5 Theory too.

My question - will she have do do the Theory exam for both her instruments or is Grade 5 Theory just one exam?

I'm pretty sure GRade 5 theory is just that - music theory for everything, so just 1 exam.
I'm out of date, but you used to be able to do Grade 5 practical without the theory - that was needed to progress further (which is why I stopped at 5 )

It is just one exam. It is worth doing as it really helps the practical & gives a firmer foundation.

It's just 1 exam. You can do grade 5 practical without having done theory, just not grade 6

An alternative is you can do grade 5 practical musicianship instead which may be more like the trinity viva.

Grade 5 theory is 1 exam and covers everything.

NB both trinity AND ABRSM grade 5 theory is acceptable by BOTH boards so have a look and see which syllabus suits your child better- DD2 found trinity really easy.

As others have said it's one exam, she'll need it to do Grade 6 and above though, not grade 5.

Most kids switch from ABRSM to Trinity at this level - not the other way round!!!!

You need grade 5 theory for grade 6. So she can do the grade 5 before the theory. You don't need any other theory exams.

Thanks for all your replies, it's good to know she'll only have to do it the once.

The switching to ABRSM is so that she could do the exams in school rather than at a different venue. Since i work full time it would be a huge advantage.

Her teacher is happy for her to do either.

Sorry small hijack

How does Grade 5 Theory compare to GCSE music - is it worth doing both if you don't play an instrument?

Absolutely worth doing grade 5 theory to support GCSE music if you are taking it. I believe UCAS points are allocated too but not many places actuallycount them up like this now.

She has her music already - but she might need UCAS points

In the "old days" grade 5 theory & practical used to he able to be used instead of GCSE music.

It's still a level 2 qualification so Uncas points are only really relevant at level 3

You don't get UCAS points for Grade 5 anything, only Grade 6 and higher.

Music theory grades carry far less UCAS points than practical KatyMac.
If your DD has done GCSE Music but doesn't play an instrument presumably she sings? Does she take grades?
IF you need the points, a G6 practical pass carries 25, whereas a G6 theory pass only 5 UCAS points.

She doesn't do grades but if she doesn't get in this year she might have to.....but she might need all the points she can get

Ah well fingers crossed she will get funding this year

If she plays a relevant instrument, she can do jazz grade 5 instead of theory or practical musicianship. Without checking the list, I know piano, flute, clarinet and saxophone are available, probably others.

It's really worth doing Grade 5 theory, though, and not very hard for someone who has is at that practical level and who has been taught properly - with theory integrated into the instrumental lessons.

Does anyone really look at UCAS points? Because... I mean... I'm nearly 30 but technically young enough that they used the points system... only they still only looked at your best 3 A-level scores.

If you don't want to do theory, the other options are jazz syllabus (piano, winds, brass), general musicianship exams, or using an exam board that doesn't require theory as a prerequisite for higher exams.

DD isn't doing A levels - so if she fails to get funding for the next 2 years, she will apply for a degree course which does take UCAS points. So if she adds her dance points, Music Theory points, maybe singing points & Arts Award points she might just have enough maybe

But it's worth thinking about

I would suspect that you would either use points from GCSE music or from the theory test. I would check before you look at getting her to sit it that isn't the case.

GCSE Music and anything less than Grade 6 do NOT carry UCAS points!!!!!

I

I think the confusion is that they carry credits on the QCF framework (but only level 3 credits translate to Ucas points)

Arts award counts. She could look into one of the Rockschool diplomas or something? It would be practical (singing) plus things like gig promotion etc. which are useful skills to develop? But only if it fits her style.

I feel bad that this has taken over OldBeanbagz's thread.

I just assumed Grade 5 might be a place to start - in order for her to get enough she would need mega dance exams, Gold Arts Award & mega Music Theory/singing exams and it's probably not practical

But thanks for all the lovely info

That's ok KatyMac, i got the answer to the question i initially posted.

Is Trinity generally considered easier than ABRSM? Is that why kids switch?

It depends on the instrument. For some instruments eg recorder Trinity offered the full range if grades way before abrsm did. And the repertoire in the singing syllabus is nicer

Trinity offer more choices in regards to the aural & theory too. There is some incorporated into each grade via a viva voce section which suits some more than written.