Music theory tuition

One to one • Build confidence • Grades DofE

Not just for guitar.

Online, in person a mix?

Grade 1

How many crotchet beats is a semibreve worth? — 4

How many quavers are there in a minim? — 4

How many semiquavers are there in a crotchet? — 4

What does a dot after a note do? — Adds half the note's value

What does the time signature 3/4 mean? — 3 crotchet beats in a bar

What does 4/4 mean? — 4 crotchet beats in a bar

Name the notes on the lines of the treble clef, bottom to top — E G B D F

Name the notes in the spaces of the treble clef, bottom to top — F A C E

Name the notes on the lines of the bass clef, bottom to top — G B D F A

Name the notes in the spaces of the bass clef, bottom to top — A C E G

Which key has a key signature of one sharp? — G major

Which key has a key signature of one flat? — F major

What is the key signature of D major? — Two sharps: F♯ and C♯

What are the notes of the tonic triad of F major? — F – A – C

What does a sharp sign do? — Raises a note by a semitone

Name the interval (number only): C up to G — 5th

What is the difference between a tie and a slur? — A tie joins two notes of the same pitch

What does 'allegro' mean? — Quick, lively

What does 'andante' mean? — At a walking pace

What does 'crescendo' (cresc.) mean? — Gradually getting louder

What does 'staccato' mean? — Short and detached

What does mf stand for? — Mezzo forte – moderately loud

Grade 2

What does the time signature 2/2 mean? — 2 minim beats in a bar

What does 3/2 mean? — 3 minim beats in a bar

What does 4/2 mean? — 4 minim beats in a bar

What is a triplet? — Three notes played in the time of two

What is the key signature of A major? — Three sharps: F♯ C♯ G♯

What is the key signature of B♭ major? — Two flats: B♭ E♭

What is the key signature of E♭ major? — Three flats: B♭ E♭ A♭

What is the relative minor of C major? — A minor

What is the relative minor of G major? — E minor

What is the relative minor of F major? — D minor

Which note is raised in A harmonic minor? — G♯

Which notes are raised going up in E melodic minor? — C♯ and D♯

Which note is raised in D harmonic minor? — C♯

What are the notes of the tonic triad of E♭ major? — E♭ – G – B♭

Name the interval (number only): D up to B — 6th

Which note sits on the second ledger line below the treble stave? — A

What does 'adagio' mean? — Slow

What does 'moderato' mean? — At a moderate speed

What does 'rallentando' (rall.) mean? — Gradually getting slower

What does 'a tempo' mean? — Return to the original speed

What does 'D.C. al Fine' mean? — Go back to the beginning and end at Fine

Grade 3

Which major key has a key signature of 4 sharps? — E major

What are the first four sharps, in order? — F C G D

What is the relative minor of A♭ major? — F minor

Which minor key has a key signature of 4 sharps? — C♯ minor

In a harmonic minor scale, which note is raised? — The 7th, going up and coming down

In a melodic minor scale, what happens to the 6th and 7th? — Raised going up, back to the key signature coming down

What kind of time is 6/8? — Compound duple

What kind of time is 9/8? — Compound triple

What kind of time is 12/8? — Compound quadruple

How many demisemiquavers fit into one crotchet? — 8

Which rest shows a whole bar's silence in 6/8, 3/4, 9/8 etc.? — A semibreve rest

Name the interval: C up to A♭ (C minor) — Minor 6th

Name the interval: E♭ up to B♭ — Perfect 5th

Name the interval: A up to G♯ (A harmonic minor) — Major 7th

What are the notes of the tonic triad of B minor? — B – D – F♯

Transpose down an octave, treble to bass: C in the 3rd space of the treble clef becomes… — Middle C

What does "allegretto" mean? — Fairly quick

What does "cantabile" mean? — In a singing style

What does "ma non troppo" mean? — But not too much

How are quavers grouped in 6/8? — Two groups of three

Grade 4

What does a double sharp (𝄪) do? — Raises a note by two semitones (a tone)

How many crotchets is a breve worth? — 8

What is a duplet? — Two notes played in the time of three

In the alto clef, which note is on the middle line? — Middle C

Which major key has 5 sharps? — B major

Which major key has 5 flats? — D♭ major

What is the technical name of the 4th degree of the scale? — Subdominant

Name all seven technical names of the scale degrees — Tonic, supertonic, mediant, subdominant, dominant, submediant, leading note

What happens to a minor interval made a semitone smaller? — It becomes diminished

Name the interval: F up to B — Augmented 4th

Name the interval: B up to F — Diminished 5th

What is a chromatic scale? — A scale moving entirely by semitones

What are the primary triads in a key? — I, IV and V

What are the notes of chord V in G major? — D – F♯ – A

What does a trill (tr) mean? — Rapid alternation of the note with the note above

What is an upper mordent? — Written note, note above, written note – played quickly

What notes make up a turn? — Note above, written note, note below, written note

What kind of time is 6/4? — Compound duple

Which of these is a double-reed woodwind instrument: flute, clarinet, oboe? — Oboe

What does 'sempre' mean? — Always

What does 'poco a poco' mean? — Little by little

Grade 5

In the tenor clef, which line is middle C? — The 4th line up (second from the top)

Which major key has 6 sharps? — F♯ major

Which minor key has 6 flats? — E♭ minor

What is the leading note of F♯ harmonic minor? — E♯

What is a compound interval? — An interval larger than an octave

What is the enharmonic equivalent of C♯? — D♭

Root position, first inversion and second inversion are labelled… — a (5/3), b (6/3), c (6/4)

What are the notes of chord II in C major? — D – F – A

What is a perfect cadence? — Chord V to chord I

What is a plagal cadence? — Chord IV to chord I

What is an imperfect cadence? — A phrase ending on chord V

How does a clarinet in B♭ sound compared with written pitch? — A major 2nd lower

How does a horn in F sound compared with written pitch? — A perfect 5th lower

Which plucked instrument sounds an octave lower than written? — Guitar

What does 5/4 mean? — 5 crotchet beats in a bar

How might quavers be grouped in 7/8? — e.g. 2+2+3 (or 3+2+2)

What is a quintuplet? — Five notes played in the time of four

Name the interval: G♯ up to F (A harmonic minor) — Diminished 7th

What does 'sotto voce' mean? — In an undertone, very quietly

What does 'morendo' mean? — Dying away

What does 'senza' mean? — Without

Music theory · Northamptonshire, Bozeat (near olney) & online

Music theory lessons

One to one Build confidence Grades DofE

One-to-one music theory tuition in Northamptonshire, Bozeat (near olney) and online, for players of any instrument. Understand how music works, read it with confidence and prepare for ABRSM or RSL theory exams.

Book an intro lesson → What you'll learn

Any instrument In person or online

Who it covers

Any instrument ABRSM Grades 1–5 RSL Debut–Grade 8 GCSE & A-level support Online via Zoom

Who it's for

Music theory lessons for every level

Exam candidates

Preparing for ABRSM or RSL theory? Lessons follow the syllabus, with plenty of practice for the online exams.

Grade 6–8 players

Need ABRSM Grade 5 Theory or an accepted alternative before booking a Grade 6–8 practical? We get you there efficiently.

Curious musicians

Want to understand chords, keys and how songs are built? Theory makes learning, writing and improvising much easier.

What you'll learn

Your music theory journey

Grades 1–2

Note values, rests and time signatures
Treble and bass clefs
Major scales and key signatures
Simple intervals and tonic triads

Grades 3–4

Minor scales and more key signatures
Compound time and more complex rhythms
Intervals, chords and transposition
Terms, signs and instruments

Grade 5 and beyond

All keys, scales and intervals
Chords and cadences
Writing and completing melodies
Score reading and music in context

Grades

Theory exams

Exams are optional, but they give you a clear goal and a certificate to show for it. Grades 6–8 carry UCAS points.

Grades 1–5

ABRSM Music Theory

Online exams booked on demand. Grade 5 is one of the accepted routes to ABRSM Grade 6–8 practical exams.

Buy the grade books on Amazon

Also useful: Music Theory Practice Papers 2024, ABRSM Grade 5 →

Debut to Grade 8

RSL Music Theory

Theory with a contemporary focus, taken online. Grades 6–8 carry UCAS points.

Buy the grade books on Amazon

Book links go to Amazon UK. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Check the edition matches your exam before you buy. Compare all exam boards →

Duke of Edinburgh's Award

Music theory for your DofE Skills section

Bronze, Silver or Gold, for 14–24 year olds. Goals set together at your first lesson, regular one-to-one lessons, and your Assessor's Report written for eDofE at the end. Beginners very welcome.

DofE lessons

Online or in person

Learn wherever suits you

Lessons in person in Northamptonshire, Bozeat (near olney), live online over Zoom, or a mix of both. Choose 30, 45 or 60 minutes – we'll find the right length at your intro lesson.

Book an intro

Getting set up

What you'll need

A notebook and pencil
The workbook for your grade (see the books below)
For online lessons: a laptop or tablet with Zoom
No instrument needed – but bring yours if you like

Questions

I don't play guitar. Can I still have theory lessons?

Absolutely. Theory is the same for every instrument, so pianists, violinists, brass and woodwind players and singers are all very welcome.

Do theory lessons work online?

Very well. Both ABRSM and RSL theory exams are taken online, so learning online is great preparation.

Which theory exam should I take?

ABRSM suits classical players and anyone who needs Grade 5 for ABRSM practical exams. RSL suits rock, pop and band musicians. We can decide together.

How long does each grade take?

It depends on the grade and how much practice you do between lessons. I will give you a realistic timeline at your first lesson.

Other lessons

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Start music theory lessons

Tell me your experience so far and whether you're aiming for grades, DofE or just want to play.

Book an intro lesson

alex@mkguitartuition.com
In person in Bozeat (NN29) & online via Zoom

Grade 1 Music Theory

Learn Music Theory whether you play guitar or another instrument.

Amazon

Grade 2 Music Theory

Grade 2 Music Theory, learn online, not just for guitar.

Amazon

Grade 3 Music Theory

Learn grade 3 music theory, not just for guitar, with ABRSM

Amazon

Grade 4 Music Theory

Grade 4 Music Theory, for an instrument, not just for guitar. Online, In person, a mix?

Find out more

Amazon Grade 5

Learn grade 5 music theory, online in person, not just for guitar.

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Musical confidence (any age)

In person, or online, any instrument.

Whether you play guitar or another instrument, you can start your music theory journey grades 1-5 online. Learning in a supportive online group or one to one environment. Stay motivated and confident in a structured work flow achieve for personal satisfaction or DofE skills awards.

Book intro

Clear progress

Online exams Grades 1-5

ABRSM is internationally recognised for its high standards, fair assessments, and over 130 years of excellence in music education. Personally, I would describe them as the ‘grand parent’ of exam boards. You’re able to take the exam at any time online, using their exam software.

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Music GCSE

Give confidence

If you’re considering music as one of your GCSE’s, grade 5 music theory will place you miles ahead and give you knowledge that’s above and beyond the average for your class. You’ll be able to work hard with the knowledge that supports you to achieve the music GCSE requirements & perhaps Gold DofE

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DofE

Learn a new skill!

Whether one to one or group tuition, offering a fun, engaging, and structured learning environment for students of all levels. These sessions are designed to build confidence, develop musical skills, and prepare students for ABRSM exams using ABRSM work books. Exams are completed at a time to suit you.

Book intro

Learn the Theory.

Online, in person, a mix?

Music theory tuition

Not just for guitar.

Music theory lessons

Music theory lessons for every level

Exam candidates

Grade 6–8 players

Curious musicians

Your music theory journey

Theory exams

ABRSM Music Theory

RSL Music Theory

Music theory for your DofE Skills section

Learn wherever suits you

What you'll need

Questions

Explore more

Electric guitar

Acoustic guitar

Classical guitar

Bass guitar

Start music theory lessons

Grade 1 Music Theory

Grade 2 Music Theory

Grade 3 Music Theory

Grade 4 Music Theory

Amazon Grade 5

Musical confidence (any age)

Clear progress

Music GCSE

DofE

Learn the Theory.

DofE Awards - Skills Section

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