Chrissie’s Theory Trail – what is it?
Chrissie’s Theory Trail is a straightforward approach to learning music theory with its goal being to enable a student to take one or more of the ABRSM music theory exams.
There are four Theory Trails available – The Cheetah, The Chasing Cheetah, The Leopard and The Moggie. Your choice of Trail will depend on your goal, your timescale and your current level of experience in music theory.
Scroll down for more information on each Trail.
How does it work?
Using the ABRSM’s Discovering Music Theory graded workbooks and other useful materials, each Trail is designed to be a self-taught course where you’ll be guided through six essential topics in music theory – rhythm, pitch, keys & scales, intervals, chords, terms & signs used in music and instruments and voices.
The Trails use Worksheets and Topic Notes followed by revision worksheets and games. There is also the option to have work marked and to receive feedback, and also to purchase one-to-one tuition live in Oxfordshire, UK or online via Zoom.
Topic Worksheets which summarise earlier grades are used for the Cheetah and Leopard Trails.
Topic Notes for each chapter in the Discovering Music Theory graded workbooks include notated exercises for instruments or voice which provide examples to play or sing which deepen the experience of elements of music theory in order to enhance understanding.
Theory Trail Cue Cards provide essential tools for all topics in a memorable and easy to use format. They offer quick and straightforward access to answers.
Revision Worksheets are available in a variety of topics and include exercises with Methods and Tips.
Cheetahs are super fast, task-focused and love problem solving
– are you a Cheetah?
🎶 You’ve taken grade 5 on your instrument or voice and have grade 6 on the horizon – you need to pass your grade 5 theory exam soon.
The Cheetah is a fast-track course which will summarise the early grades and focus your attention on the more advanced topics. Depending on your previous experience and speed of working this can be achieved in a matter of a few months.
You will complete specially-written Worksheets in each topic which summarise grades 1 – 4. You will then work on all chapters in the Discovering Music Theory Grade 5 workbook using detailed Topic Notes. Revision Worksheets will plug any gaps in your understanding and the exam guide will prepare you for the Grade 5 exam itself.
The Chasing Cheetah has its eye on its prey
– are you determined to achieve your goal?
🎶 This is a super fast-track course for those who need to pass the Grade 5 Theory exam as soon as possible.
Beginning with a specially-written Guide focused on the Practice Paper in the ABRSM Discovering Music Theory Grade 5 Workbook, you will then choose Revision worksheets and Terms & Signs Games as needed. Finally some all-important Sample Papers from previous exam sessions and the exam guide will prepare you for the Grade 5 exam itself.
Leopards symbolise strength, power, courage and determination
– are you a Leopard?
🎶 You’ve already achieved grade 3 or 4 on your instrument or voice and would like to start working towards taking the grade 5 theory exam, but just now there’s no rush.
The Leopard Trail will enhance your understanding of music as you improve as a player and when you’re ready you’ll take the grade 5 theory exam.
You will receive specially-written Worksheets for each topic at grades 1 – 3, detailed Topic Notes for all chapters in the ABRSM Discovering Music Theory Grades 4 and 5 Workbooks, Revision Worksheets as needed, Terms & Signs Games of your choice and exam guidance.
Affectionate and easy going, for a Moggie a more gentle pace of life is ‘purrfect’
– are you a Moggie?
🎶 You’ve been learning your instrument or voice for a while and might have taken a few grade exams already. You’re not in a hurry to take a theory exam, but you are interested in understanding how music works and may well take some theory exams in the future.
This Trail will guide you step-by-step through each topic at grades 1 to 5.
You will receive Topic Notes for all chapters in the ABRSM Discovering Music Theory Workbooks, Revision Worksheets as needed and Terms & Signs games of your choice.
Along the way you may choose to take the grade 3 theory exam as a stepping stone, or you might decide to wait until you reach grade 5. Whatever your choice,, when you’re ready there’ll be exam guidance too.
Materials to purchase
In order to follow the Trails, you will need the following materials which can be purchased from www.abrsm.org/shop or from your preferred music supplier or bookshop:
The Discovering Music Theory Workbooks by Simon Rushby are published by the ABRSM. There is one workbook for each grade and you will need your own copies according to which Trail you have chosen to follow, details are given in each of the Theory Trails.
Answerbooks are also available for each Discovering Music Theory workbook. These will be useful if you prefer to mark your work yourself, but be aware that they offer no feedback and you may prefer to book Marking and Feedback from the team.
A Manuscript Pad is an essential tool in working out many of your answers. An A4 12-staves per page pad would be ideal, but there are many designs and sizes available.
And when the time comes, Music Theory Practice Papers Grade 52025 (or later) will provide valuable practice with the exam format, testing your methods and your memory.
What comes with the Trail Plan?
Your chosen Theory Trail Plan will include the following essential materials:
Trail Welcome, Map and Introduction Each Trail has its own map or route–plan to guide you through the topics taught in the Discovering Music Theory workbooks. The Trail Map gives an overview of the Trail and also comes with an Introduction, some advice and reminders about methods of working.
Cue Cards Pack Your understanding of the topics, methods and techniques will be greatly enhanced by this set of cue cards designed exclusively for this course. Cue Cards are essential to a thorough understanding of the methods you will use when working on the exercises in the workbooks and are referred to frequently in the Topic Notes.
Worksheets Both the Cheetah and the Leopard Trails begin with Worksheets which survey your understanding of earlier grades. From these it will be clear whether any revision of topics at earlier grades is needed before moving on to the chapters on each topic in the Discovering Music Theory workbooks.
Topic Notes Covering chapters in the Workbooks, the Topic Notes provide written guidance on all topics along with exercises to play or sing and Methods for working out answers.
What are the Add-ons?
Your chosen Trail Plan comes with 2 Revision Worksheets and 2 Terms & Signs Games of your choice. More are available and may be purchased as add-ons.
Revision Worksheets are available as needed. These involve further written exercises, Methods and guidance to help with those trickier topics.
Terms & Signs games and puzzles are available which will help you to learn in a relaxed and fun way all of the Italian, German and French terms and the special signs.
Marking and Feedback can be purchased if needed (see below).
Tuition can also be purchased (see below).
The Plan Pricing
The Cheetah £164
Contents – The Cheetah Welcome, Trail Map & Introduction; the Cue Cards Pack; six Grades 1 – 4 Worksheets; seven Grade 5 Topic Notes; two Revision Worksheets;
two Terms & Signs Games and the Grade 5 Exam Guide.
There’ s also the option to purchase Add-ons – see below
The Chasing Cheetah £68
Contents – The Chasing Cheetah Welcome, Trail Map & Introduction; the Cue Cards Pack; one Grade 5 Practice Paper Guide; two Revision Worksheets; two Terms & Signs
Games and the Grade 5 Exam Guide.
There’s also the option to purchase Add-ons – see below
The Leopard £212
Contents – The Leopard Welcome, Trail Map & Introduction; the Cue Cards Pack; six Grades 1 – 3 Worksheets; six Grade 4 Topic Notes; seven Grade 5 Topic
Notes; two Revision Worksheets; two Terms & Signs Games and the Grade 5 Exam Guide.
There’s also the option to purchase Add-ons – see below
The Moggie £292
Contents – The Moggie Welcome, Trail Map & Introduction; the Cue Cards Pack; five sets of Topic Notes for each grade from Grade 1 to Grade 5; three Terms, Signs &
Instruments Topic Notes; one Music in Context at Grade 5 Topic Notes; two Revision Worksheets; two Terms & Signs Games and the Grade 5 Exam Guide.
There’s also the option to purchase Add-ons – see below
The Add-ons Pricing
Further Revision worksheets
If there are more than two topics which are proving tricky, please do order further worksheets to help improve your understanding of the topics which you find challenging. There are numerous worksheets available which feature detailed Methods and Tips as well as exercises to play or sing. They are available to purchase for £8 each. If there is a topic which you need further help with and it is not listed, please get in touch by sending us a message via the CONTACT page.
Marking and Feedback
If you are happy to work through the workbooks by yourself using the Topic notes but would like to have your answers marked and receive feedback to help you learn and improve, this can be arranged. Work will be completed at home, then scanned and emailed to us, after which a ‘Marks and Comments’ sheet will be returned by email. This option is available in addition to your chosen Plan at £20 per worksheet or chapter with discounts available for the purchase of multiples. If you have any questions about this option please get in touch by sending us a message via the CONTACT page.
Tuition
Live one-to-one tuition is available for those who need extra help or feel they would benefit from the opportunity to ask questions and discuss their work with a specialist theory tutor. Sessions either in person in Oxfordshire, UK or via Zoom can be booked in addition to your chosen Plan. We offer single sessions at £40 per hour or £20 per half hour, with discounts for courses of sessions. If you have any questions about this option please get in touch by sending a message via the CONTACT page.
Workshops
Live in-person and online interactive Workshops will be available in due course, each focusing on a particular topic in music theory. Spaces will be limited in order to allow all participants the opportunity to interact. Workshop Dates will be advertised in EVENTS & NEWS and Tickets will be available to purchase.
What’s Next?
First
Choose your Trail – will it be the Cheetah, the Chasing Cheetah, the Leopard or the Moggie?
Next
Decide whether you would like to include any Add-ons, such as marking & feedback or one-to-one tuition. These can also be added at a later date.
Finally
Go to STORE to select your Plan, set up your account, and then checkout to complete your purchase. You will gain access to the Trail Page where you can find and download all your materials. You can purchase your Add-ons from the trail page.
Questions?
If you have any questions or would like advice in choosing your Trail or Add-ons, please send us a message via the CONTACT page.