Ready to master grade 5 music theory? Our comprehensive study guide takes you from zero to confident exam candidate, breaking down every music theory concept into simple steps.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Music theory is finally making sense! - Joanne S
The Challenge Ahead
You've worked hard to progress through your early music theory grades. But Grade 5 is different. It's the level where many musicians hit a wall.
Why? Because Grade 5 introduces concepts that feel overwhelmingly complex:
Irregular time signatures that seem impossible to count
Key signatures with so many sharps and flats they blur together
Complex ornaments that look like mathematical equations
A whole new clef to learn from scratch
Performance terms in multiple languages
And the stakes are higher than ever. Grade 5 Theory isn't just another exam - it's the gateway to higher practical grades. Without passing it, you can't progress beyond Grade 5 in your instrument.
Preparation materials often make things worse. Traditional textbooks throw technical jargon at you without clear explanations. Online resources skip crucial details. And private tutoring costs a fortune.
But it doesn't have to be this way...
Introducing
Ready for a straightforward path to Grade 5 Theory? Our comprehensive 60-page guide was crafted with a clear mission: to transform these complex concepts into clear, manageable steps that build your confidence and ensure exam success.
This complete guide breaks down every topic in the ABRSM Grade 5 Theory syllabus into bite-sized, easy-to-follow lessons. We've taken traditionally challenging concepts like irregular time signatures, ornaments, cadences, and chord inversions and explained them using clear language and practical examples.
No more piecing together information from multiple sources. No more trying to decipher dated complex textbooks. Everything you need to pass Grade 5 Theory is right here in one comprehensive, clearly-written guide.
Whether you're studying independently or need some additional reference material alongside your lessons, this guide provides the structure and clarity you need to approach Grade 5 Theory with confidence.
Want to see what some of the 3,000+ people who've bought had to say about our music theory guides?
Teacher, UK
"I love using these study guides with my pupils. It is not only informative but also laid out very clearly. It works with students of all ages. I’d highly recommend it for all teachers and students alike."
Student, South Africa
"Thank you for your excellent resources. I received my results yesterday and achieved 100% on my first exam. Your guides helped me prepare well for my exam, and I was confident and relaxed."
Parent, US
"A game-changer! The explanations are clear, the examples are practical, and the guide is structured in a way that makes learning enjoyable.
What You'll Learn
Chapter 1
In this chapter, we delve into time signatures that go beyond simple and compound meters. Learn how to work with complex signatures like 5/8, 5/4, 7/8 and 7/4, understand how beats are grouped irregularly.
Chapter 2
In this chapter, we explore the tenor clef and its essential role for certain instruments. Learn how to read notes in this clef, understand its relationship to other clefs, and get comfortable writing key signatures using proper spacing and positioning.
Chapter 3
In this chapter, we venture into more advanced key signatures including F# major, Gb major and their relative minors. Discover how these keys are constructed, learn their unique patterns of sharps and flats, and understand how to write them correctly in any clef.
Chapter 4
In this chapter, we tackle the art of transposing music between different keys and clefs. Learn systematic approaches for handling accidentals when transposing, work with intervals from unison to perfect fifth, and understand how to help transposing instruments play together effectively.
Chapter 5
In this chapter, we explore tuplets beyond basic triplets, including quintuplets, septuplets, and more. Learn how these complex rhythmic groupings work, understand their notation rules, and discover how composers use them to create sophisticated musical textures.
Chapter 6
In this chapter, we expand our understanding of intervals beyond the octave. Learn about compound intervals, discover how to identify and write intervals up to a 15th, and understand how accidentals affect interval quality in any musical context.
Chapter 7
In this chapter, we dive deeper into chord construction and analysis. Learn about the supertonic triad, explore chord inversions in all positions, and understand how to label chords with Roman numerals.
Chapter 8
In this chapter, we explore the musical punctuation marks known as cadences. Learn to identify and write authentic, plagal, and half cadences, understand their role in musical phrases, and discover how composers use them to create structure.
Chapter 9
In this chapter, we examine ornamental figures that add beauty to melodies. Learn about mordents and turns with accidentals, understand their precise execution, and discover how these decorative elements enhance musical expression.
Chapter 10
In this chapter, we study the language of musical expression. Learn essential Italian and German terms for dynamics, tempo, and mood, understand their proper usage, and discover how they guide musicians toward more nuanced performances.
Hi, I’m Dan, and I run Hello Music Theory. I’ve been teaching music for the last 18 years and studied my undergraduate at the Royal Academy of Music in London.
My mission is to make learning music easier. Whether you're teaching music and want resources, or you're learning an instrument and want to be able to read music, we're dedicated to helping you on your journey.
If you have any questions feel free to reach out and I’ll be happy to help.
FAQ section
You've got questions. We've got answers.
We've written this book specifically with the ABRSM Grade 5 Music Theory syllabus in mind.
Sadly, not yet. We're looking into getting these printed at one point, but at the moment, they're only available as a digital download.
Absolutely. While we've worked hard to make this guide as good as it can be, we realize it might not be for everyone. Just let us know within 30 days of your purchase, and if we can't make it right, we'll refund you.
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