Music theory: grades 1 and 2
- Course Code: MG451
- Dates: 18/09/24 - 27/11/24
- Time: 11:00 - 13:00
- Taught: Wed, Daytime
- Duration: 10 sessions (over 11 weeks)
- Location: Keeley Street
- Tutor: Sarha Moore
Course Code: MG451
Duration: 10 sessions (over 11 weeks)
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
What is the course about?
An introductory course for those with little or no previous knowledge, covering the basics of music theory using the ABRSM Grade 1 syllabus. Practical exercises in class in conjunction with written homework will increase your understanding of musical language and notation.
This course may be used as preparation for an external ABRSM music theory exam.
- Music theory grades 1-5 are available as online examinations only
- Music theory grade 6 and upwards are available as paper-based exams at ABRSM exam centres
For latest information from ABRSM, including theory exam dates/fees, please click: https://gb.abrsm.org/en/exam-booking/exam-dates-and-fees/ [external website].
- All grade exams are available three times per year, and we recommend you sit your exam the term after your course finishes.
What will we cover?
Grade 1 topics:
- rhythmic values for notes and rests from semibreve to semiquaver, including ties and dotted notes
- time signatures of 2/4, 3/4 and 4/4
- barlines and the grouping of rhythmic values within bars
- pitch names on treble and bass clefs
- sharp, flat and natural signs and their cancellation
- construction of major keys (C, G, D, F): scales, scale degrees, intervals above the tonic, key signatures, tonic triads
- the most commonly used musical terms and symbols.
Grade 2 topics:
- Subdivision of the beat into triplets
- Time signatures of 2/2, 3/2, 4/2 and 3/8, including the grouping of rhythmic values within bars
- ledger lines on treble and bass clefs
- keys of A, Bb and Eb major
- the construction of minor keys (A, E, D): harmonic and melodic scales, scale degrees, intervals above the tonic,
key signatures, tonic triads
- commonly used musical terms and symbols.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
- read, write, hear, clap and play/sing rhythms in 2/2, 3/2, 4/2 and 3/8
- understand and apply triplet rhythms
- read and write pitch in treble and bass clefs, up to two ledger lines above/below the stave
- read, hear and write music in major keys up to three sharps / flats
- read and write music in simple minor keys (A, E, D)
- understand the use of melodic and harmonic minor constructions
- understand commonly used musical terms and symbols
- answer questions on a Grade 2 theory music exam paper.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This course is designed for students who have already started learning an instrument or voice so you need to be familiar with the basic symbols of music notation, but no other previous experience of music theory is needed.
It is expected that you will already be learning and instrument/voice whilst taking this class.
You will need to follow written and verbal instructions in English, engage in class discussion and practical exercises, take notes in English and write staff notation.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
You will need your own copy of the course text-books (see below). We use GOOGLE CLASSROOM to share messages, documents, audio and video files and for you to submit any homework tasks between sessions.
Your tutor will use a variety of techniques:
- tutor explanation and demonstration
- short revision videos and/or audio files (posted in Google Classroom)
- worksheets (posted in Google Classroom)
- group performing and individual demonstration tasks (e.g. clapping rhythms).
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
You will need manuscript paper, pencil and eraser, notebook and pen.
Please buy and bring both of these books to class:
Discovering Music Theory, The ABRSM Grade 1 Workbook (c.£7) [external website].
Discovering Music Theory, The ABRSM Grade 2 Workbook (c.£7) [external website].
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
This course leads to Music theory: grade 3
You may wish to support your learning through a focus on reading, writing and hearing music and musical patterns. For more details about musicianship and music theory please visit our blog: Musicianship and music theory at City lit which lists our full sequence of musicianship and music theory classes.
Sarha is an experienced teacher and gigging musician, performing on the saxophone, arranging and composing on the piano, in classical, jazz and world music genres. Her principal band, Bollywood Brass Band, is the UK’s pioneering Indian-style wedding band, performing tunes and compulsively danceable rhythms of Bollywood films. Twice nominated for Songlines World Music Awards, the band has performed across the world in concerts, festivals, and Indian weddings in the UK, Europe, India, Thailand and South Africa. Sarha played with Ghanaian Highlife band Orchestre Jazira, and socialist big band, The Happy End. She also plays in the Charlie Mingus jazz cover band Hog Callin’, The Great Yiddish Parade marching band and Freylekh klezmer band. Sarha’s specialist area is World Music, and she has a PhD on the study of the Flattened Supertonic across different cultures. At CityLit she teaches jazz and classical piano, saxophone, world music styles (practical and academic courses), musicianship and music theory.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
