Overview

Grade Three builds up on all the knowledge you learnt at Grade Two. More key signatures are introduced, compound time signatures are explored and musical intervals are analysed in more depth - with a technical name as well as a number.

Grade Three isn't a huge step up from Grade Two - why not get stuck right in now?!

Test yourself online with our Grade Three Practice Exam!

Syllabus

As in Grade 2, with the addition of:

1. Compound time signatures of 6/8, 9/8 & 12/8 and the grouping of notes and rests within these times.The demisemiquaver (32nd note) and its equivalent rest. Questions will include the composition of a simple four-bar rhythm which may start on an up-beat.
2. Extension of the stave beyond two ledger lines. The transposition of a simple melody from the treble clef to the bass clef, or vice versa, at the octave.
3. Scales and key signatures of all major and minor keys up to and including four sharps and flats, including both harmonic and melodic forms of minor scales, with their tonic triads (root position), degrees (number only), and intervals above the tonic (number and type).
4. More terms and signs. The simple questions about a melody may include one on its phrase structure.

Read the complete ABRSM music theory syllabus