About the Course
In this course participants will be building on concepts introduced in Grade 3. Using the ABRSM syllabus, students will go further into the concepts of pitch, rhythm, keys, scales and more. This course is for students who already have an intermediate knowledge of music theory up to Grade 3 level, and either wish to support their instrumental music lessons or simply advance their musical knowledge further.
This course is part 4 of 5 in a programme of courses which aim at progressing students up to ABRSM Grade 5 Music Theory level.
This course may be used as preparation for ABRSM music theory exams. ABRSM Grade 1-5 music theory exams are available as online examinations only. For the latest information on online music theory exams please refer to the ABRSM Website
In this course we will cover:
Simple and Compound duple, triple and quadruple time signatures
Grouping of notes and rests within these time signatures
The breve and its equivalent rest
Double-dotted notes and rests
Duplets
Alto (C) clef
Transposition of an octave between alto clef and treble or bass clef
Double Sharps and double flats
Scales and Key Signatures of all major and minor keys up to five sharps and flats
Technical names for notes in diatonic scale
Construction of a chromatic scale
Augmented and diminished intervals
Root position triads on the tonic, subdominant and dominant
Ornaments
Orchestral instruments, voice types, their instrument families and ranges
More terms and signs relating to tempo, dynamics, performance directions and articulation
By the end of this course you should be able to…
Understand all of the above concepts
Take an online ABRSM Grade 4 Music Theory Exam
Progress onto my 11-Week Online Music Theory Course: Grade 5
What level do you need to be to take this course?
Before you take this course candidates must have either:
Passed a Grade 3 ABRSM Online Music Theory exam
Passed a Grade 3 Trinity Theory of Music exam
Successfully completed my 11-Week Online Music Theory: Grade 3 course
Other Prerequisites
Students will need to be above the age of 5
You Will Need
A copy of the course text-book (see below)
PC/Laptop/Macbook or Tablet that is able to access Zoom.
Earphones/headphones/speakers.
Stable internet connection.
Manuscript paper, pencil, eraser
Notebook and pen
This course will use the piano to explain musical concepts, so access to a piano or electronic keyboard would be useful but not necessary.
Upon signing up, we will contact you with full instructions on how to log on.
Course textbook:
All students must ensure they purchase a copy of the course textbook before the first session:
“Discovering Music Theory, The ABRSM Grade 4 Workbook” – Simon Rushby