Music theory is a vital component for any musicians’ musical pathways and career. A good foundation in music theory allows the musician to understand the structure and meaning of the musical language, which helps in composition writing. The musicians will better be able to analyse and write music in their own style. For those interested in Jazz music, music theory allows one to transcribe solos.
Music theory allows one to speak, read and write the language of music. With Eight Tones Music School music theory programme, we will prepare you for ABRSM theory exam. You will study concepts and structures within musical works.
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Grades 1-5: the Rudiments
ABRSM states that all candidates who wish to take practical examinations in Grade 5 and above are required to have a Grade 5 in music theory. This means that one needs to have a solid foundation and good grasp of music theory foundations to build upon, it works hand in hand.
The ABRSM music theory syllabus begins by teaching the basics of music writing. Grade 1 to 5 covers all the rudiments relating to western common practice music. You will be able to identify scales and key signatures of all 24 major and minor keys. You will learn simple and compound time signatures, the four most commonly-used clefs, basic harmonic progressions, scale degrees, simple transposition, and most terms and signs commonly encountered in notation. Music theory helps boost music performance. You will be reading music and memorising music. When performing, you will be required to perform from memory. If you have been to a performance where a performer stops midway and is unable to continue, he is playing by memory and therefore unable to pick up from their mistake. Harmonic memory acquired through learning music theory allows one to be a better performer through the in depth knowledge acquired through music theory lessons.
Grades 6-8: Advanced Analysis and Musicianship
Feel, intuition and instinct is necessary for good music learning, unfortunately insufficient to do well. Music theory lessons help the musician to understand the fundamentals of music, like melody, rhythm, counterpoint, harmony, form, tonal systems, scales, tuning, intervals, consonance, dissonance, durational proportions, the acoustics of pitch systems, composition, performance, orchestration, ornamentation, improvisation, electronic sound production, pitch, scale, melody and chords.
You will learn the practical and abstract aspects, technicalities behind sound and music, like rhythmic relationships, improvisations, style and feel.
One of the benefits of learning theory in advanced level music theory for the ABRSM music theory exam helps you to master pieces faster, improve sight reading. Moving grades and improving your music grades sometimes calls for improvisation. With knowledge of tonal syntax, you will be able to create logical, authentic and cohesive music.
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