Grade 1 Music Theory Course Overview

This course is designed to make learning the ABRSM Discovering Music Theory Grade 1 syllabus as simple and engaging as possible. Whether you’re a complete beginner or a parent looking to support a young student, this course provides clear and accessible explanations that will help you build a strong foundation in music theory.

Who is it Suitable For?

This course is perfect for absolute beginners. It’s also an excellent resource for parents who want to assist their younger piano students with their music theory studies.

How Does it Work?

Each chapter introduces essential elements of music theory, such as notation, pitch, and rhythm. The language used is straightforward, ensuring that learning is effective for students of all ages.

• Weekly live lessons will guide you through each chapter in your ABRSM workbook.
• You’ll have the opportunity to complete exercises in real-time with your teacher, or you can pause the lesson and try the questions on your own before checking your answers at the end.
• The course is designed to let you learn at your own pace while building confidence step by step.

During live lessons, the teacher will answer any questions from students, whether they are asked during the class or through our Facebook student group. In addition, fun worksheets and practice tools will be shared regularly to keep learning engaging.

All lessons are recorded and available on-demand, allowing you to watch at your convenience.

Student Community

The Discover Music Theory Facebook group offers you the chance to connect with fellow students, share your progress, and enjoy the journey with other music theory beginners and enthusiasts.

What Will You Achieve?

By the end of this course, you’ll feel confident and ready to progress to the Discover Music Theory Grade 2 course.

If you’re interested in taking the ABRSM Grade 1 Music Theory Exam, we offer free support and guidance throughout the process. With over 20 years of proven experience and a 100% success rate in the new (2021) online music theory exams, you’ll be in very safe hands.

Course Contents

• Chapter 1: Note time values, simple time signatures, and bars
• Chapter 2: Treble and Bass Clef note pitch
• Chapter 3: The semiquaver and music rests
• Chapter 4: Tones and semitones, and how accidentals affect note pitch
• Chapter 5: Understanding how “ties and dots” change note values
• Chapter 6: Degrees of scales, starting with C Major
• Chapter 7: Key signatures and what they mean, including C, G, D, and F Major
• Chapter 8: Intervals and how to read them quickly
• Chapter 9: Tonic triads and chords of C, G, D, and F Major
• Chapter 10: Building your music vocabulary of terms and signs
• Chapter 11: Practice music theory in context
• Chapter 12: Test your knowledge with a practice exam paper

Additional Support

For students wishing to sit the online ABRSM Grade 1 Music Theory Exam, we offer ongoing support to guide you through the exam preparation process.

The main focus of this course is to expand your knowledge and understanding of keys signatures and scales to an intermediate level. This is essential as you progress through your music theory journey.

Throughout the course you will be introduced to new theory elements including the demisemiquaver, upbeats, compound time signatures, melodic minors keys and scales, and octave transposition.

Also there are several chapters dedicated to building on your current knowledge. Extensions include ledger line pitch, note intervals and terms and signs to ensure your learning is well paced and easy to understand.

Once you have completed this course you will definitely feel confident and inspired to start our Grade 4 Discover Music Theory Course.

If you would like to take the Grade 3 Music Theory Exam with the Associated Board for the Royal School of Music (ABRSM) then we are happy to offer you free support and guidance through the process. We have over 20 years of proven experience and 100% exam success rate with the NEW (2021) Online Music Theory Examinations. So you are in very safe hands.

Suitable For:

Grade 3 – Perfect for all students that have successfully completed our Grade 1&2 courses and for music students that have passed the ABRSM Grade 2 exam.

Support Included:

• The bitesize video lessons
• Step by Step workbook support and guidance
• Live Q&A lessons via zoom
• Further practice tools and fun activities
• Exam preparation and support
• Classmates social media group

Grade 3 Contents:

1. Chapter 1   – Introducing the Demisemiquaver, upbeats. Duple, triple & quadruple time.
2. Chapter 2   – Introducing compound time signatures, notes, rests and grouping.
3. Chapter 3   – Expanding understanding of ledger line pitch and octave transposition.
4. Chapter 4   – Further understanding of Key Signatures E & Ab Major
5. Chapter 5   – Introducing the Melodic minor Keys & Scales – B,G,F#,C,C# and F minor
6. Chapter 6   – Expanding on Intervals including major and minors.
7. Chapter 7   – Tonic Triads in both major and minor keys up to 4 sharps and 4 flats.
8. Chapter 8   – Building on your music vocabulary with new terms and signs
9. Chapter 9   – Practice Music theory in context.
10. Chapter 10 – Test your knowledge with a practice Exam Paper.

This course is packed full of new music theory elements. You will be introduced to irregular time signatures and divisions including quintuplets and sextuplets.

New pitch elements are also introduced in this grade. You will learn how to read the Tenor clef and transpose music effectively between clefs.

Many chapters are dedicated to expanding your knowledge and understanding of advanced key signatures and scales up to 6 sharps and flats including compound intervals.

A key feature in this grade is transposition between key signatures and specific intervals. You will also explore transposing instruments, voice types and ranges. Chords and Cadences are also heavily featured in Grade 5 which will really bring your compositions to life.

Once you have completed this course you will feel confident and ready to take your Grade 5 Music Theory Exam with the Associated Board for the Royal School of Music (ABRSM).

Suitable For:

The Grade 5 course is for students wishing to study advanced music theory and for those students that wish to advance their instrumental qualification beyond Grade 6 with the ABRSM.

It is suitable for all students that have successfully completed the Discover Music Theory Courses for Grades 1,2, 3 and 4. It would also suit those students that studying G.C.S.E music.

Please note that this course only covers elements introduced in the Grade 5 Syllabus and should not be taken as a fast track option for zero to Grade 5 music theory certificate attainment.

Support Included:

• The bitesize video lessons
• Step by Step workbook support and guidance
• Live Q&A lessons via zoom
• Further practice tools and fun activities
• Exam preparation and support
• Classmates social media group

Grade 5 Contents:

1. Chapter 1 – Introducing irregular time signatures and divisions.
2. Chapter 2 – Introducing the Tenor clef and transposition between clefs.
3. Chapter 3 – How to transpose melodies and keys by specific intervals with ease.
4. Chapter 4 – Further understanding of Major and Minor Key Signatures up to 6 sharps and flats.
5. Chapter 5 – Expanding on Intervals including compound and chromatic types.
6. Chapter 6 – Exploring the supertonic chord and understanding cadences and inversions.
7. Chapter 7 – Transposing Instruments, voice types and ranges
8. Chapter 8 –
9. Chapter 9 – New Italian and German terms and signs interpretation.
10. Chapter 10 – Practice Music theory in context.
11. Chapter 11 – Test your knowledge with a practice Exam Paper.