Overview

Grade Two is an easy step up from Grade One Music Theory. In order to follow this course, we recommend that you have already studied Grade One theory, so check out the Grade One Lessons if you haven't yet.

Grade Two builds on all the basic skills learnt at Grade One, and adds in a handful of new key signatures and time signatures. We meet minor scales for the first time - both the harmonic and melodic versions.

The composition question is a little bit longer, and the range of notes and rhythms you'll need to be able to understand is just a little wider. Triplets are introduced, and of course there are more foreign terms to understand.

Test yourself online with our Grade Two Practice Exam!

Syllabus

As in Grade 1, with the addition of:

1. Simple time signatures of 2/2, 3/2, 4/2 and 3/8 and the grouping of notes and rests within these times. Triplets, and triplet note groups with rests. Questions will include the composition of simple four-bar rhythms starting on the first beat of the bar and using a given opening. 
2. Extension of the stave to include two ledger lines below and above each stave.  
3. Construction of the minor scale (harmonic or melodic at candidate’s choice, but candidates will be expected to know which form they are using). Scales and key signatures of the major keys of A, Bb and Eb, and the minor keys of A, E and D, with their tonic triads (root position), degrees (number only), and intervals above the tonic (by number only). 
4. More terms and signs in common use. 

Read the complete ABRSM music theory syllabus