🎼 1. Key Signatures & Scales
| Grade | Major Keys | Minor Keys | Scale Knowledge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | C, G, D, F | A, E, D | Tonics, scales, tones/semitones |
| 2 | A, E, B♭ | G, B, E | Key signatures, relative minors |
| 3 | B, A♭ | C♯, C, F | All scales with up to 4 sharps/flats |
| 4 | All major/minor up to 5 sharps/flats | Harmonic minor | |
| 5 | All keys up to 6 sharps/flats | All related minors | Harmonic & melodic minor |
✅ Know relative major/minor pairs
✅ Be able to write and recognise key signatures
🎵 2. Intervals
| Grade | Interval Types Introduced |
|---|---|
| 1 | 2nds, 3rds, 4ths, 5ths, 6ths, 7ths, octaves (number only) |
| 2 | Quality: major & perfect |
| 3 | Minor & augmented intervals |
| 4 | Diminished intervals |
| 5 | Inversions and recognition from both notes |
✅ Recognise by number and quality
✅ Be able to write intervals above or below a note
🎶 3. Chords & Cadences
| Grade | Chords Introduced | Cadences |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | I, IV, V (tonic, subdominant, dominant) | Perfect and imperfect |
| 4 | VI chords | Plagal cadences |
| 5 | Root position & inversions (Ib, V7) | All four cadences incl. interrupted |
✅ Identify chords from key and scale degree
✅ Understand function in harmony
⏱️ 4. Time Signatures & Rhythm
| Grade | Simple Time | Compound Time | Other Concepts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2/4, 3/4, 4/4 | — | Note/rest values |
| 2 | 3/2 | — | Beaming rules |
| 3 | 2/2 (alla breve), 6/8 | Intro to compound | Dotted notes |
| 4 | Compare simple/compound | 9/8, 12/8 | Rhythmic grouping |
| 5 | 5/8, 7/8, 5/4 | Full understanding | Time conversion, irregular meter |
✅ Write bars with correct rhythmic grouping
✅ Convert between time signatures
🖋️ 5. Articulation, Dynamics, and Performance Directions
| Grade | Focus |
|---|---|
| 1 | p, f, staccato, legato, common terms (allegro, adagio) |
| 2 | pp, ff, tenuto, fermata, espressivo, a tempo |
| 3 | dolce, marcato, cantabile, expressive markings |
| 4 | Style & character: giocoso, pesante, subito |
| 5 | Advanced terms: rubato, tranquillo, meno mosso, historical context |
✅ Recognise Italian terms in context
✅ Know how expressive markings affect performance
🧱 6. Other Notation & Score Knowledge
| Grade | Concepts Covered |
|---|---|
| 1–5 | Clefs (treble & bass), barlines, ties, slurs, repeat signs, first/second time bars |
| 3–5 | Orchestral instrument families, score reading, transposing instruments |
✅ Understand how to read music fluently
✅ Know orchestral layout (Grade 5)
🧩 7. Aural & Analysis Skills
| Grade | Skills |
|---|---|
| 3–5 | Spotting mistakes in melody/harmony |
| 4–5 | Simple form analysis (binary/ternary), melodic dictation |
| 5 | Identifying cadences, modulations, and keys in context |
✅ Practise by analysing short pieces
✅ Listen and identify musical features
📘 Bonus Revision Tools
- ABRSM Theory Past Papers (Grades 1–5)
- Apps: Tenuto, ABRSM Theory Works
- Online: MusicTheory.net, MyMusicTheory.com
- Flashcards: Create or print key terms and symbols
- Mock exams: Time yourself with past paper-style questions
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