Clefs
	Italian terms
	Ornaments
Chords
Cadences
	Keys
	Scales
Intervals

MoleValleyMusic.co.uk
covering:

Abinger,
Ashtead
Box Hill
Bookham
Brockham
Capel
Clandon
Coldharbour
Dorking
East Horsely
Effingham
Headley
Leatherhead
Leigh
Mickleham
Newdigate
North Holmwood
Ockley
South Holmwood
Wescott
West Horsley
Wotton

Theory Lessons

Alice and I give private theory lessons to prepare pupils for their grade 5 theory ABRSM exams. Some pupils come just for theory lessons, whilst others learn theory as part of their instrumental or singing lessons.

For those who would like to know more about my theory lessons and the benefits of learning theory, read the rest of this page.

The links below provide pages for our pupils.  They don't cover everything, but we think they will be helpful.

Theory Pages
Grade 1 Italian terms
Grade 2 Italian terms
Grade 3 Italian terms
Grade 4 Italian and French terms
Grade 5 Italian and German terms
Performance directions for piano, strings and brass for pedals, bowing & mutes
Ornaments trill, mordent, turn, appoggiatura, acciaccatura, glissando, portamento
Degrees of the scale tonic, supertonic, mediant, subdominant, dominant, submediant, leading note
Orchestral Instruments brass, woodwind, strings, voices, clefs, transposition
ASBRM exam notes pass marks, exam durations, exam rules

Why Take Theory Grades?

A good working knowledge of theory greatly enhances a pupils ability to play their instruments and to perform in ensembles.

The Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM) requires pupils to have passed grade 5 theory before they can take their instrumental grade 6 or higher.

The Trinity Guildhall board does not require this, however pupils will be much better prepared for the higher grades if they have taken grade 5 theory.

Pupils that take grade 5 theory will understand and be better at:

- aural, particularly intervals, cadences and modulations
- scales
- sight reading
- transposition (part of the exam for e.g. trumpets beyond grade 5)

It will help them compose their own songs, understand the music they are playing, perform more musically and make them better musicians.

Theory Lessons

Most theory pupils have individual lessons because they need to pass ABRSM grade 5 theory to progress with their performance grades, hence the theory lessons are structured to achieve this.

Lessons cover teaching the rudiments of theory (with worked examples by the pupils). Theory is illustrated with practical examples showing how the theory applies to the music they play. Once the basics are understood, the pupils then practice using past exam papers, working up to grade 5.

Where do we teach?

Private lessons are given at our home, in Bookham, Surrey. Pupils come from Bookham, Fetcham, Ashtead, Leatherhead, Effingham, Dorking, Guildford, Espom, and the surrounding areas of the Mole Valley.

Contact