Music Theory Lessons Online

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Last Updated on 2 June 2026 by Victoria Williams

Pass ABRSM & Trinity Music Theory (Grades 1–8)

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Try not to guess - if you are not sure of an answer, just skip to the next question.

1 / 24

What is the name of this note?

note name

2 / 24

What key is this the tonic triad of?

triad

G major

C major

D major

F major

3 / 24

Which note would need an accidental in the key of F major?

4 / 24

Which of the following bars is grouped correctly?

5 / 24

Complete the sentence by typing a number.
This time signature means there are _______ minim (half note) beats per bar.

error

6 / 24

What is the key of this melody?
key

G major

C major

E minor

D minor

7 / 24

Which two notes are missing from this scale of A minor melodic?
scale

C and D

C and D#

C# and D

C# and D#

8 / 24

Which of the below notes is a major 7th higher than this note?
note

9 / 24

What does subito mean?

very

suddenly

gradually

a little

10 / 24

Look at these notes then choose the correct sentence.

2 is higher than 1

1 and 2 are the same pitch

1 is higher than 2

11 / 24

Which of the below notes is the correct enharmonic equivalent of this note?
note

12 / 24

What type of interval is this?

note note

Perfect

Diminished

Major

Augmented

Minor

13 / 24

Transpose this key signature up a minor 3rd.

key sig

14 / 24

What type of cadence is this?
cadence

Plagal

Imperfect

Perfect

15 / 24

What is the name of this note? note

16 / 24

Which note in a first inversion dominant chord should not normally be doubled?

The bass note

The tenor note

The root

The 5th

17 / 24

Select the true statement about 2nd inversion (c) chords:

In a second inversion chord, you should always double the bass note.

Second inversions can only be used at a cadential 6/4 progression

Second inversion chords are the most common position (out of root, 1st and 2nd inversions).

Second inversion chords must always be major.

18 / 24

What is another word for pauken?

Gong

Kettle drums

Xylophone

Cymbals

19 / 24

Which of these chord progressions is most likely to be found in a Bach chorale?

vii°-V-IV-ii

I-iii-V-IV

vi-IV-ii-I

vi-ii-V-I

20 / 24

What type of chord is this?
chord

Diminished 7th

Neapolitan 6th

Dominant 7th

Italian 6th

21 / 24

What type of SATB error can be found in this bar?

erro

Consecutive 5ths

False relation

Poor voice leading

Incorrect doubling

22 / 24

Who is the most likely composer of this music?

music

Mahler

Debussy

Corelli

Elgar

23 / 24

What is the chord sounding on the 4th beat of bar 1?

music

French 6th in the key of D minor

Diminished triad in the key of A minor

Dominant 7th in the key of A major

Neapolitan 6th in the key of F major

24 / 24

What is the interval made between the circled notes?

music

Minor 3rd

Diminished 3rd

Major 3rd

Augmented 3rd

Your score is

Take this short test for a rough and ready assessment of your music theory knowledge according to the British Grades system!

Grade 1 = beginner and Grade 8 = ready to study at university!

Grade 5 is the average/intermediate level of most musicians who are playing at grade 6 and above.

Find lots more quizzes here!

Lessons for:

ABRSM Grades 1-8
Trinity Grades 1-8
Trinity AMusTCL Diploma
GCSE & A Level
AMEB and AP

Victoria Williams:

BA (Hons) Music, Leeds UK 1995
AMusTCL (Distinction) & LMusTCL
LCM Grade 8 Composition (Distinction)
ARSM
MISM

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Grade 3 is a step up and I'm finding it a lot more challenging, but the videos are very good and easy to navigate and repeat to look again at the more difficult areas to learn. You have an excellent set up and it's good value. Ian

6. May, 2026.

I have just been looking over your modern song composition guide. This is really excellent. I like how it is so comprehensive yet succinct and giving so much useful detail. It demystifies modern song writing for me as I am currently only familiar with classical music theory. I look forward to getting this knowledge under my belt and using it in my compositions. Bernice

6. May, 2026.

I’ve bought the books at Grades 6, 7 and 8. Although I’m not taking the exams, I’m finding the books very useful, with their clarity, worked examples, etc. I have recommended them on the Tonebase website of which I am a member.

24. April, 2026.

Thank you so much. I am so grateful to have discovered your program! So much more informative than the other book series. I am learning the material much better and faster now, thanks to your program.

24. April, 2026.

Just a short email to say that I passed grade 8 theory. This has been a long road, but a very satisfying one – I started learning music theory almost exclusively with your website way back in 2011. There is no way I could have passed these exams without your help and teachings. Thank you so very much. Once I passed grade 5 theory, I decided to change careers to being a media composer (and I still am one to this day). You’re changing lives. Thank you so much.

24. April, 2026.