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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Take a short test to find out what Music Theory Grade you are.

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

D major

F major

C 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

C major

D minor

A minor

D major

7 / 24

Which two notes are missing from this scale of E minor harmonic?
scale

D and F#

D# and F#

D and F

D# and F

8 / 24

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

9 / 24

What does tranquillo mean?

sadly

holding back

calm

gracefully

10 / 24

Look at these notes then choose the correct sentence.

2 is higher than 1

1 is higher than 2

1 and 2 are the same pitch

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

Major

Diminished

Perfect

Minor

Augmented

13 / 24

Transpose this key signature down a minor 3rd.

key sig

14 / 24

What type of cadence is this?
cadence

Imperfect

Perfect

Plagal

15 / 24

What is the name of this note? note

16 / 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.

17 / 24

What is another word for pauken?

Xylophone

Gong

Kettle drums

Cymbals

18 / 24

Look at this excerpt from a Bach chorale. What key does it start in, and what key does it modulate to?

modulation

Starts in E major, modulates to B minor.

Starts in F# minor, modulates to B major.

Starts in A major, modulates to B minor

Starts in A major, modulates to D major

19 / 24

Which figure would be most appropriate for the shaded chord?

chord

6/4

5/3 (blank)

20 / 24

What feature can not be seen in this music?
music

Ornament

Alberti bass

Appoggiatura

Arpeggio 6/4

21 / 24

Which feature is not present in this extract?

music

Syncopation

Changing note

2nd inversion chord

Inverted pedal

22 / 24

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

music

Dominant 7th in the key of A major

French 6th in the key of D minor

Neapolitan 6th in the key of F major

Diminished triad in the key of A minor

23 / 24

What feature of this music is a clue that it was written in the Modern era?

music

Changes of clef

Sequences

Parallel 5ths

Changes of tempo

24 / 24

Which two chords use identical "sounding" notes, but are written with enharmonic equivalents and are therefore functionally different?

German 6th and diminished 7th

Diminished 7th and dominant 7th

German 6th and dominant 7th

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.