Grade 5 theory

[Onvacation]

My DD is working on Grade 4 piano, and has very little to do from school in lockdown, and so has been working on some theory. Grade 1 she had with no study. Grade 2 she as done some work on, and should have done the work on it in the next two weeks. We have kind of decided to blitz the theory over the next few months. She is doing a couple of weekly courses, and I was going to enroll her in a Grade 5 summer crash course, with a view to doing Grade 5 theory in November. We are going to have extended periods at home this summer, and so she will have some time to work on it. I'm just wondering what people's thoughts are on this as an idea. She doesn't need to do Grade 5 theory now, so there is no 'pressure'. I am not musical, and so have no idea of what the exam entails.

If she is doing 30 minutes a day between now and her crash course in the summer, then does 10 hours over the summer, and keeps working on it over the autumn (although then I think it is unlikely she would be doing 30 minutes a day), does it sound feasible? Reasonable?

Sounds fine to me. How old is she? Is she doing music gcse because that will cover some of it and some she will have learned In her piano lessons anyway. DS blitzed it in 6 months last year when we discovered he needed it for music at Uni - he hadn't done much theory as he's a drummer.

She is only 11, but she is bright and really rather likes a challenge. I feel like she has picked up quite a lot through her piano lessons, but I know there is a lot that she would still need to learn. It is just she has so much free time at the moment, it feels like a good way to use up some of her time!

DS did Grade 5 theory at a similar age, blitzing it over the summer, practice parts at October half term. He had a couple of lessons over the summer holidays from his piano/theory teacher

Sounds doable. I like the blitz your theory books as they are clearly laid out and there are answer books online!

Sounds like a good idea. I put DD and her friend through it at the same age, for similar reasons - they were bright, could use the stretching, and it would get it out of the way while they weren't so busy.
Originally I'd hoped they'd do it in year 6, but it ended up being first term of year 7. I think by that point they were just doing a paper a week, so not too onerous (they're timetabled for 2 hours but most only need one hour).
I know someone who teaches crash courses in the holidays (now online) with follow-up marking of past papers, and it works well.

Thanks all. I had read some comments about the children who do it this way having a more superficial knowledge of the theory, but others have said that doing it slowly through each theory grade book over years can be very dull. Reading all of your positive comments, and given she is really motivated at the moment, I feel like we should give it a go.

I have heard the head of DS2's JD suggesting similar tbh. But there are limited options if you want to do Grade exams with ABRSM. I wonder if the new performance exams will require Grade 5.

Go for it! She might as well learn theory while she isn't too busy.

DD(12) sat grade 5 theory a few weeks before lockdown, learning through an after-school club - so probably had about 25-30 hours of taught study. What you describe for your DD sounds ample.

If you aren't especially musical I would encourage your DD to try to find a "study buddy" to help keep her motivated. DD's group produced quite a lot of quizlets that their group could run through when they had a few moments spare.

There are also some resources online that looked good to me, but we didn't end up needing.

DD and a dozen or two others sat the exam in a vast school hall one evening - there would have been absolutely no problems with social distancing!

Good luck

I think that it’s perfectly manageable. My two took it very early and it’s even easier now since the changes a few years ago. Do lots of past papers and try and make it as fun as possible.
I explained to my two that they needed enough to pass, and then the theory would solidify as they moved on with their regular grades. That’s exactly what happened. It’s quite a basic level and although it’s hard at the time, it’s worthwhile.

I teach Grade 5 theory and have put a lot through at the end of year 6 start of year 7. I really recommend Take Five and Pass First Time by Christopher Dunn which is about £6 on Amazon. It was written for the old syllabus but covers the topics in a clear and sensible way so is a great resource to use alongside the various theory workbooks.

Also a lot of music teachers have lost part of their income so it shouldn't be too difficult to find one who would be willing to teach your DD remotely.

So pleased that the consensus on her is strongly in favour. A couple of people have said that it is equivalent to a GCSE in music, but most stuff I have read doesn't support that. I like the approach of blitz now and then consolidate over time, and without pressure. If my DD gets to grade 6 or 7, I don't see any harm in doing the later theory grades too. I will look at that work book @Londonmummy66.

I think Grade 5 theory or practical is meant to represent the same amount of work as any GCSE, hence Grade 6 onwards gaining UCAS points. DS2's school will consider you for A level Music with no GCSE if you have Grade 5 theory and the instrumental skills.

DS2 has done Grade 6 theory and really enjoyed it.

And Grade 8 theory can get you into uni without music A level!

Grades 4 and 5 (both theory and practical) are recognised as "level 2 qualifications". It doesn't mean they represent the same amount of learning as a GCSE, but they are a similar difficulty level.
Our local sixth form will also accept grade 5 theory and practical in lieu of GCSE music.
Grades 6-8 are designated "level 3", and carry UCAS points, but not as many as an A-level.

Grade 5 is supposed to be about the same difficulty level as gcse, but it's nothing like it in terms of volume and content. I think grade 5s in theory, practical, and Musicianship would be closer. I did it around that age, as did most of my musical friends and it wasn't too difficult I don't think. It's a bit of a step up to grade 6-8 though and most people don't progress through the theory grades as fast as the practical. I got a practical diploma but only grade 6 theory because I just didn't have time for revision and preparation by the time I got to grade 8 in sixth form. It's also a nice, low pressure way of getting used to formal external exams in different settings

I thibk it’s a good idea - but don’t underestimate how hard it is. My musical and bright Y7 finds her theory lesson one of the hardest things she does each week. There seems to be something about it which either clicks or it doesn’t, and if it doesn’t it’s a bit of a slog.

I can highly recommend the Muso app. Her teacher sets work on it each week, but it also can be used independently and it’s a nice format for doing little and often.

Bobbin, I've just got that muso app, it looks great, it seems like no one knows about it though as hardly any downloads. Made me a bit reluctant to try it but seems really good. Will definitely get the kids to try it out. ( Was pleasantly surprised I could do most of the grade 5 stuff I tried so that's reassuring!)

horsey I just got it as my kids are choristers and since lockdown it’s been used by their Director of Music for theory, so maybe it’s quite new? Anyway, glad it looks useful to you.

Yes to letting to her do it. If she’s motivated than she will so the work and enjoy doing it.
For me, wanting to do it means you automatically put in the extra effort needed to succeed. That might be a good lesson for her to learn? (Don’t waste time doing something you hate).

Yes, Grade 5 theory is the same academic standard as GCSE but its a much smaller qualification and focuses on one aspect of music whereas the GCSE covers theory, aural, performance and musicology/analysis.

Aged 14 my daughter had dance qualifications that were equivalent to A level & 1st year degree level but the practical element only, not the academic.

My Year 5 child learnt it all by himself from YouTube videos and passed with distinction, after 2 months of learning. It’s nothing like passing a GCSE...