Music Theory in Practice: Grade 4

In short, this book allowed me to enjoy theory lessons, and as a result I went on to buy "Music Theory in Practice Grade 5" and sat my grade 5 exam with considerable confidence. This is an absolutely indispensible guide to grade 4 music theory.


Absorbing and extremely helpful   June 13, 2005
J. McKay (Falkirk, Scotland)
10 out of 11 found this review helpful

This is the only book you will ever need if you wish to study for your grade 5 theory exam, or simply to discover a hidden world of how music is put together and the reasons behind all those rules. Every essential detail for grade 5 is covered here, including rare irregular time signatures, the introduction of the tenor clef, transposition, voices in score, intervals, cadences, ornaments, keys up to six sharps and flats, composing melodies... there is enough in this book to keep the serious theory student immersed for hours at a time, and the simplistic layout ensures that the student can easily study from this book. There are appropriate amounts of exercises for you to practice newly learned skills, and, as ever, a handy list of all the new concepts which you will be expected to know at grade 5, in both Italian and German. Everything is explained clearly and this is a real bonus.

In short, this book allowed me to enjoy theory lessons, and as a result I sat my grade 5 exam with considerable confidence. This is an absolutely indispensible guide to grade 5 music theory.


A helpful hand for those dreaded theory exams   January 23, 2002
17 out of 19 found this review helpful

This book is a great help at trying to get you to understand all of the theory work that is involved and as i am doing a crash course in theory to do grade 5 theory coming up they are of great help to get where you want. The way that they are in seperate exercises help you no matter what your age are so whether you are 8 or 40 the book wont confuse you, if you are older it wont patronise you and if you are only young then you wont be confused by any 'technical jargon'. All of the theory books work well as a complete set of books and in the back is a glossary of all of the words that are needed for each particualr grade which helps the resion as you are only learning what is really needed to be learnt. The books are superb value and are the special aid to those who hate theory.


A good revision guide for those doing theory exams   February 27, 2001
31 out of 32 found this review helpful

As a music student about to do his Grade 5 theory exam, I would say this is a very helpful aid in studying for it. This book, along with the other theory workbooks for grades 1,2,3 and 4 take in everything that could come up in the exam. The books are very thorough and detailed, with exercises on everything from key signatures, chords and their placement at cadential points to composition, all of which are examined. At the end of the book are some exercises which are laid out in the test format for extra practice. From a students point of view, their detailed exercises are very tedious, but they have to be done to prepare adequately for the test. A good investment for those doing the ABRSM Grade 5 theory test.