Abrsm Singing - Theory exams query

[mesha123]

Hello,

Dd recently completed abrsm grade 5 singing. She has been really interested in singing and loves it. After her exams, her teacher said she can't do exams from grade 6 onwards as she needs to pass the theory for grade 1 - 5 first. The other option is to move the exam board to MTB (Music teachers board).

I am not sure how good this board is and whether it is compatible to Abrsm.

Her teacher doesn't suggest to do theory as she believes it will take a long time to complete it and it's worth only to do if she wants to be musician in future.

I was not aware about the abrsm rules amd didnt knew that she wouldn't be allowed to continue grade 6 onwards without completing the theory part. She completed all ther grades in less than 2 year's time. Also secured distinction in grade 3 and grade 5.

I am not sure if moving to music teachers board will be good idea.

Does anyone have experience with this board?

Also if anyone had experienced with the theory exams - roughly how long does to takes complete all these grades.

Thanks for reading my post and would really appreciate any feedback and response from fellow mumsnetters.

Thanks

I don't know the MTB but exams through Trinity have no theory requirement.

Most pupils I've know do the grades 1-5 theiry workbooks and only do the grade 5 exam, not every single grade.

Congratulations on her success. She could move to trinity board as well but it's wrong to say only those who are wanting to become professional musicians do theory. Many thousands of people who have no intention do it to further their understanding of music. It may be harder for a singer as it involves areas they probably don't study in lessons anyway. You can get books to help or do a short online intensive course. But it does all cost money so moving boards would be easier and cheaper. Also, you don't have to do every exam.

That's been a rule at ABRSM for years - I stopped practical exams at Grade 5 over 40 years ago for that reason.

Most people just take the Grade 5 theory - you don't need to bother with earlier/later ones. If your DD is vaguely musical, it's not that difficult - the theory workbooks are very good.

As above. DS did Trinity exams up to Gradec8 in an instrument but didn't do separate theory exams (although there is an element of theory in the practical exams).

I took the grade 5 theory exam, it wasn't that difficult for someone who reads music and already knows lots of the terms.

Mind you, this was about 40 years ago...

She definitely doesn’t need to do all the theory exams, just grade 5.

It’s not actually that difficult if she’s interested in music. There might be courses in your local area. And I can’t remember if you’ve said how old she is, but if she’s thinking about GCSE music at all then it’s helpful background for that.

As PPs say, you don't have to do all the theory exams, just grade 5. But it also depends how old she is, and how academic - she would need lessons and to practise the exams. I did these many years ago and I think I just did grade 3 and then grade 5. BUT my piano teacher offered theory lessons alongside the piano lessons and got us started at the point when it was clear we would need the grade 5 theory, so DD might have some catching up to do, and it sounds like maybe the singing teacher doesn't want to/can't teach this, which is why she isn't encouraging her to continue ABRSM?

She is 10 years old

That's good to know that we can only do grade 5 theory. Maybe we can get some books and go through stuff to see how she finds it.

Thank you.

I also felt that people can still learn without the intention to become musicians. Dd is just 10 so very early to decide what she wants to become in future as there interests can change when they grow up.

I'd definitely suggest working through the books and then taking the exam - you can take it remotely now also, though you have to waft your computer around at the start of the session to show them that you don't have a music teacher hiding under the desk, feeding the candidate answers. Good luck to your dd - the theory will prove very useful at higher grades, particularly the sight singing portion.

My daughter only did grade 5 theory (none of the other grades).

She had lessons for about 3 months. I think she got 2 marks over the pass mark. It absolutely doesn't matter what mark you get. A pass is a pass!

Exactly a pass is a pass. May I ask which books she used to do her exams?

I think it was this one...

https://www.worldofbooks.com/en-gb/products/music-theory-in-practice-grade-5-book-eric-taylor-9781860969461?sku=GOR002095337&gadsource=1&gbraid=0AAAAADZzAIDZjTPUyXBIvMcUXWeI-fTp9&gclid=Cj0KCQjw4cS-BhDGARIsABg44J362KH4Gjq3NgTHtZnE8OGK8eVoAsiEkU27jVvPOJA5tIUHxGa5pUaAlJxEALwwwcB

Thankyou so much

I'd say just do it - the theory she learns will be useful for the higher grades, genuinely, even if she's not going to be a professional musician. It will really help her as she progresses and set her apart from people who are just talented and aren't really trained. If she's grade 5 at the age of 10 she's definitely got the talent and should be progressing to higher grades over the next few years.

I say that as someone who sang in choirs and concerts to a high level ie. I did get paid real money (but never very much), never did any theory and really regretted it! I was always showing myself up not knowing what key things were in, or not being able to explain what I wanted to do, or not understanding what conductors or accompanists were trying to explain to get me to do.

I did grade 1, 3 and 5 in theory. So so could go onto grade 6 piano. It’s really not that hard if you are already at that level on an instrument as you need to know the stuff to play it. Although I don’t know how singing compares to an instrument!??

The theory exam is not difficult if your dc has a good understanding of music, both mine took it around age 11/12 ready for the later exams. Abrsm is the most respected exam board for sure.

She can mostly prepare by herself working through the theory work books (mine did these along side taking the earlier exams but didn't take grades 1-4 theory exam) but a bit of tutoring once she reaches level 5 is helpful if her teacher isn't able to support her or perhaps her school as an after school club (my dcs school offered this for £5 a week)

https://amzn.eu/d/3qD5J4g
these are the up to date theory books from Abrsm. Their exam is online and can be taken at home. You can also sit trinity theory exams which might still be on paper and this counts too, as does Abrsm grade 5 jazz or practical musicianship (a kind of aural skills type exam where you use your instrument or voice rather than write). All those exam boards have the same ofqual accreditation for ucas points later on though theory exams are useful for gcse and a level music as background skills. Some schools ask for grade 5 theory for music a level.

I used to teach Grade 5 theory and had a number of 10 year olds pass it so it isn't that hard. Depending on where you live you might find a music student or a course (summer holidays might be a good shout). There is a very good one in Gloucester if you are near there or could stay for a week. Most courses are better if you can knock through the basics of grades 1-3 beforehand using the ABRSM workbooks. Although it was written for the old syllabus this is an excellent book for pre exam revision https://www.amazon.co.uk/Take-Five-Pass-First-Time/dp/0953500705

There are a couple of other options:

1. Take ABRSM Grade 5 Practical Music instead of Theory - either is acceptable
2. Switch to Trinity as a PP has suggested. You can take these grades without the theory. However, of the 4 songs performed only 2 can come from the musical theatre list - and at least one will have to be in a language other than English. (Trinity don't have dedicated Musical Theatre exams).

There is a very friendly music thread with some knowlegable music parents on it so it would be worth popping on to it to ask about experiences with singing for MT and theory exams. https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/extra_curricular_activities/5274567-spring-summer-25-music-thread?page=2&reply=142793621

Music teacher here. Trinity exams do not require theory exams. Trinity is highly thought of, so it would be a good alternative to ABRSM. You can ask the music teacher about doing exams through them.

I have taught theory to many students over the years, many never went on to study music at university or professionally. Music theory helps all musicians, no matter the level. Learning music theory is like learning grammar when studying a language. I have also helped students achieve grade 5 theory in a year. Not the easiest way to do it, but if the student is keen, it is possible.

Hello.

I teach Piano and Singing with ABRSM, and I also teach grade 5 music theory. If they want to do grade 6 and onwards they only need to do their Grade 5 music theory exam.

learning music theory depends on how much they know already but I’ve taught students grade 5 music theory in less than 6 months, most I would say a year tops maybe? Again depending on how much they already know.

You can take the exam anytime online you don’t have to wait like you do with the practical exams. Plus the music theory exam is multiple choice.

hope that helps

Hi, my daughter (14 now) does Singing and Piano with ABRSM. She did her grade 5 theory at 11 (P7 here in Scotland). She found it difficult and only managed a pass - but she was very young; hopefully she would cope better with it now. Its helpful if you play an instrument and you definitely need to be comfortable reading music. As has been said in other posts, its only grade 5 theory that you need to take to progress beyond the grade 5 level in singing or instrument exams. There are some really helpful free resources online that will take you through the ABRSM materials. We would have been lost without Sharon Bill's online tuition. Good luck!!

Hiya! Hope everyone is well.

As a private music teacher, the most common enquiries I get is for this topic exactly.

I do have opinions on this topic though, as I personally believe that music teachers should be setting up their students way in advance to be able to pass g5 theory by the time they are ready for g6 piano (bearing in mind that theory results take 1 month to arrive). Appreciate that teachers are on strict time schedules with limited lesson time, but by leaving theory last minute, students are either:

a) cramming masses of theory knowledge in crash course-style format (can be stressful!)

b) delaying g6+ instrumental exams to learn theory in better detail (but thus retaining the knowledge better)

c) are forced to switch exam board (e.g. Trinity has no theory requirement)

I honestly believe that theory is one of the most fundamental things for musicians to learn. It helps musicians understand the music they are learning/playing in better depth, to connect with the music. It helps in masses for sight reading skills (therefore not relying on teachers teaching them in future, or encourages them to independently learn the next few bars of their music at home!). Also, by embedding music theory knowledge from a young age, a little in each class, it sets the learner up for future success. GCSE music is roughly g4 theory (fun fact!) ~ by already having this knowledge, the children sail through the theory parts of GCSE. I personally always use the first 10 mins of the lesson to instill theory (from workbooks) to build the knowledge up over time.

I also think the teachers should communicate the theory requirements to students and parents, so there is no shock when reaching g5. (ABRSM board only)

I am more than happy to have a call with you (or anyone here) to talk through questions, should you wish.

I am kicking off a fresh batch of group theory courses soon too, if demand is there, to keep costs low for students per lesson.

You can find my details on my website: www.musecole.co.uk

My DD did theory and Classical Singing at Grade 5 at age 10 - honestly it's best just to do the theory as it is useful and you would probably be surprised at how much she knows already just from singing.

I do know people that switched to Trinity though and it is just as well regarded as ABRSM.