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

Grade 5 theory is really not that difficult, especially since ABRSM dropped the ludicrous figured bass notation. As others have said, you don't need to do theory grades 1-4 (do they even exist?), just straight to grade 5.

Hi there,

Have come from a similar experience here, so hopefully this can be of some help!

P needed her grade 5 theory in order to move onto ABRSM grade 6 singing last year. Her teacher wanted her to move to the Trinity exam board as P had no music theory experience - but I was hesitate with this as I knew ABRSM offers UCAS points for Grades 6 and above.

After speaking with one of my colleagues at work at the time, she recommended me this amazing 5 day summer residential course over in Stamford, Lincs called Green Room Music Theory, where they do a crash course in the ABRSM theory exams. P was pretty hesitate before signing up to the course, but she actually ended up having a wonderful time; made great friends, and enjoyed the activities etc. The brilliant teachers covered the whole syllabus quickly with plenty of time for past papers and even mock exams etc. She took the grade 5 theory exam about a week after she completed the course and got a distinction! Honestly, it was such a weight of my shoulders.

They start the whole syllabus from scratch (so from before Grade 1 level), which I was relieved about as P had zero theory experience prior. I didn’t realise this at the time, but you don’t actually have to sit Grades 1-4 theory before you sit the Grade 5 exam. She could have easily taken any of these grades after doing the course, but we didn’t see the point as she only needed her Grade 5 Theory in order to continue onto Grade 6 singing.

I’m afraid we don’t have any experience with the MTB board, but I will say - I was happy P stuck with ABRSM. She loves the song choices in the syllabuses and I’m glad she has access now to those UCAS points ABRSM can give.

I hope this helps and good luck to Dd with her theory and singing!Green Room Music Theory

I had to do grade 5 theory to do A level music

I teach music theory in person and online and it completely depends on the pupil how long they take to reach Grade 5. For some, a matter of months, for others several years. They don’t have to take the other exams but if they don’t play an instrument and haven’t really used notation much it will take a while.

if your dd is planning to take GCSE music it would definitely be amazing training for that as the theory element is more than required for GCsE and the knowledge gained will really help with composition.

Trinity exams are highly respected for singers and don’t require the theory element.

Thankyou all so much for the input. This has been really helpful. I had no idea that we could switch to Trinity board. But like some commented that theory will always be helpful in future and also if we choose for gcse helps us to take a decision. We hve decided to start piano at the moment and then continue with the singing after a few months.

Really appreciate everyone’s comments and guidance.

many thanks.