All About Piano Theory Examinations

[Dreamaurora]

jce:

I will make the younger ones take grade 1 as a starting point, it is like an \"intro\" into theory exam. Then most likely not take any others in between until the big grade 5.


Yes, agree, like any other thing, teachers play an important role. So far I have come across more \"unskilled\" piano teachers than theory ones. Perhaps it's because little time is spent on theory for starters... And sometimes I am guilty of that too. It is difficult to balance the practical and theoretical side of things especially when the student is not strong in both.

Yeah, quite difficult for a lot of teachers because of time limitation to teach both theory and practical. I am actually considering to send students to take grade 3 Practical Musicianship first before grade 5 Theory. I think the syllabus is actually quite good and helps student to apply the theory concepts in practice. Sadly, according to ABRSM people that I spoke to, the number of students taking Practical Musicianship in Hongkong and Singapore are practically less than 10 every year.

[jce]

Singaporeans and Hongkies are very practical people so they don’t see anything in practical musicianship. Most important thing, get certs, and get them fast.

[jo.010813ong]

Many thanks for your great advice. I understand that it is not necessary to take theory 1 - 4 exam. My gal is 7 this year and for me, I would thought of sending her to lower grade theory just to let her feel how the theory exam is. Prefer exam at the beginning of the year rather than Oct as it will not clash the school examination period.

[jce]

At this young age, starting with grade 1 is advisable, it is a foretaste of what is to come. After grade 1, it is probably advisable to move on and perhaps take grade 3 along the way, or just go for grade 5.

[jo.010813ong]

Hi jce


My gal has finished the grade one theory but skipped the theory exam and now learning grade 2 theory. Would like her to try out the gr two exam in Mar to get the feel of the exam. She took the gr one practical and moved on to do her grade three now.

[MusicalTreeStudios]

Advisable to go through the syllabus even though you do not have the intention to take the exam. The grades builds on top of the knowledge of the previous grades.


We have had students who jump straight to G5 exam, but we would have covered all grades and even do mock tests using past year papers which can be bought. (So Singaporean to use past year papers!)

[heyhoe]

My child will be taking Grade 5 next year. My concern is that he might not be fully prepared as his teacher don’t have much time to guide him.


Any suggestion how to help him out, besides doing past year paper? Any website or classes?

Cheers,

[metz]

heyhoe:

My child will be taking Grade 5 next year. My concern is that he might not be fully prepared as his teacher don't have much time to guide him.


Any suggestion how to help him out, besides doing past year paper? Any website or classes?

Cheers,

These are the books my son is using :

1. Music Theory in Practice Grade 5 by Eric Taylor
2. The AB Guide to Music Theory Part 1 by Eric Taylor
3. Past Year papers

For additional stuffs, can try http://www.mymusictheory.com/grade5/ .

[ngl2010]

heyhoe:

My child will be taking Grade 5 next year. My concern is that he might not be fully prepared as his teacher don't have much time to guide him.


Any suggestion how to help him out, besides doing past year paper? Any website or classes?

Cheers,

My son was in P3 when he scored 95 in Grade 5 Theory. He attended once a week class for 6 months from September (when he was Primary 2) to March the following year when he has to sit in for his exam. It is very difficult to teach Grade 5 Theory to P2 kids but the teacher had done a very good job. Many of his classmates scored above 90.

If your kid is taking exam in March, I think it may be too late to take this class but you can try. I am not sure too if they have a class running now and taught by this particular teacher. You can pm me if you want to find out more. I like the teacher but I don't really like the school so I don't want to mention the school's name here.

[Gold]

Dear metz and ngl2010


Thank you for your suggestions.

Sorry for my late reply as I had been away. ngl2010, I’ll pm you shortly.

Cheers