Circumventing Music Theory Grade 5

[JasmineOill]

DS has just completed grade 5 clarinet and Guitar. He didn't sit music theory grade 5 exams. He had tried doing the lessons but it all got too much on top of his workload at school plus they kept changing the teacher, times etc. In the end ds completely lost any gusto for doing theory. His theory knowledge has however developed alongside his instrumental grades. His teacher advised for him to sit Jazz Clarinet to circumvent theory grade 5, this we were told will allow him to proceed to the next grade.

However ds has started senior school and is now being told he has to do theory grade 5. DS does not want to do this, he is not interested in becoming a professional musician etc, he just wants to enjoy playing music in bands whilst at school. Has anyone been in the situation?

Does anyone know if you need Music theory 5 to do GCSE music? We haven't got to this yet, and I doubt DS will do it but just in case..

Definitely not- there are no pre-conditions for GCSE. It would be of benefit, but tbh, for high level musicians, GCSE music isn't really recommended. They wouldn't need it for any reason I know of. E.g. if you were G7/8 pianist and had G5 theory, I do not know any schools that would turn you away for A level music.

No. Our local sixth form college asks students to complete it by the end of their A level course. For your son's purposes right now, he has a recognised alternative.

No, not for GCSE. When looking at A level places we did come across one place that required G5 theory for A level music, if you didn't have it you were expected to take it in school at the same time as our A levels.

No, not needed for GCSE, but playing to a standard around G4 and above (I think it is G4) can get extra marks for performance pieces.

but the sixth form our DD goes to has put a pass at G5 theory as an alternative prerequisite for a B at GCSE for entry to A level music.

And you don't even need A level music to read music at university!

How very interesting.

The universities DS looked at for music all wanted A level music at either A or B. The exception was if your school/college didn't offer it as a subject in which case they would accept G8. I'm not saying that everywhere wants it but you will cut down your choices considerably if you want to study music without taking music A level.

Generally the universities will want a high A level in Music. The conservatoires don't, entry is normally on audition.

For anyone still wanting to do Grade 5 theory, the new syllabus is hugely dumbed down now It's going to be far easier to pass it, and whole topics have been left out. I'm trying not to be cynical and assume it's because AB don't want people dropping out of (expensive) high grades by not getting G5 theory, or because it can then be marked electronically, saving them lots of money without actually reducing the fee.

@Moomin sorry it's been a mad few days. The new GCSE requires some technical knowledge and I have found over the last 20 years of teaching it that those with a decent understanding of Theory have done much better in the listening papers. They know what a perfect cadence looks like on paper, so seem better able to hear it.

As others have said, some university courses do not require A level Music, but oddly they do want a Theory qualification as well as evidence of practical skills. Some of that may well be down to the vague and strange marking of some elements of the A level course (particularly composing). A couple of years ago, I met up with my old tutor from university. He was most impressed to hear that we put all our A level musicians through grade 8 Theory, and said that he would be happy to make unconditional offers to our students who had passed grade 8 theory and who had grade 7 or 8 in a practical exam.

There really is no need to spend months going through all the books to get grade 5 Theory. The papers have a very similar format year on year. Look at the questions that come up (Q7 always chords at cadential points, Q6 compose an 8 bar melody, Q5 scales etc.) learn how to answer those and you are sorted.