ABRSM
ABRSM Grade 5 Music Theory
Grade 5 Theory is the gate: without it you cannot take Grade 6, 7 or 8 practical exams. That makes it the most-sat written theory paper in the world, and the one people most often prepare for by reading rather than by doing. Each topic below links to a tool that checks your answer, so you find out you were wrong here rather than in the exam.
Topics
- 01
Note Values, Rests and Grouping
Note and rest values, dots, ties and triplets — and grouping them correctly within the bar.
▶ Metronome - 02
Time Signatures and Metre
Simple, compound and irregular metres, and identifying them from a rhythm alone.
▶ Rhythm Pattern Dictionary - 03
Clefs, Staff and Ledger Lines
Treble, bass, alto and tenor clefs, including rewriting a passage from one clef into another.
▶ Interval Calculator - 04
Key Signatures
Every major and minor key up to six sharps and six flats, in all four clefs.
▶ Circle of Fifths - 05
Scales and Scale Degrees
Major, harmonic and melodic minor, chromatic scales, and the technical names of the degrees.
▶ Scale Dictionary - 06
Intervals
Number and quality, above and below a given note, including compound intervals.
▶ Interval Calculator - 07
Triads and Inversions
Triads on any degree of a key, in root position, first inversion and second inversion.
▶ Inversion & Figured Bass Trainer - 08
Figured Bass and Roman Numerals
Labeling chords in both systems — Ib, Vc and I, ii, V7.
▶ Roman Numeral Analysis Trainer - 09
Chords in Context
Choosing chords that actually fit a given melody or bass line.
▶ Diatonic Chord Reference - 10
Cadences
Perfect, imperfect, plagal and interrupted — recognized on the page and by ear.
▶ Cadence Trainer - 11
Transposition and Transposing Instruments
Transposing at the octave and into another key, and working out sounding pitch.
▶ Transpose Tool - 12
Aural Awareness
Hearing intervals, chords and cadences rather than only seeing them.
▶ Ear Training