Eric Taylor: Music Theory In Practice - Grade 1

Music theory in Practice: Grade 1. ~~~Background~~~ This book meets the requirements of the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM) Grade 1 theory exam. Now I am not gonna pretend otherwise, I find music theory dull, boring, and very difficult to understand, I just like to read the music and play. That being said, as the understanding of the theory becomes clearer, it does not always seem quite so dull (who am I kidding?). To a certain extent you need not know any theory to begin playing, some musicians have never studied theory. However, to get past a certain point you really must have some ...  Read the complete review

Music theory is a subject which as much as I knew I should learn to proceed further within the music industry, I just couldnt push myself to learn. Hoping to be a music producer and engineer, I knew it was something that I should learn, especially while I was at college. After doing research and found that to take tests you can go through the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM for short), I searched for any books suitable. I wanted to take the learning bit by bit, and once I found you can get a book for each seperate grade, I found this to be the best way to advance. I purchased the Grade 1 through to 3 books to get me ...  Read the complete review

I am taking my ABRSM (Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music)Grade 1 theory paper next week. I'm 43. The same day, my two youngest daughters are doing their Grade 5. They are 14 and 12 and I'm feeling dim! In line with ABRSM policy, they need their Grade 5 theory before they are allowed to be entered into their Grade 6 practical on their instrument of choice. In their case, 'cello and violin, respectively. I just need my grade 1 to give me the confidence in ploughing ahead towards grade 3, then 5 (no point sitting them all is there - that would be masochistic, surely?) so that I too can go on to my Grade 6 and beyond with piano. You ...  Read the complete review

The Music Theory in Practice books have been around for many years. These 2008 reprints have disappointingly not addressed some of the series' outstanding problems. Firstly, it should be said that the layout of the book is clear and uncluttered; there are plenty of examples of each subject area in addition to the many questions which test your knowledge. Whether you are covering Music Theory in general, or whether you are working specifically towards the examination, this book covers all the necessary material. The biggest problem with this book is that it does not, in any way, give sufficient explanations about the individual concepts. This means ...  Read the complete review