Grade 5 to Grade 8 Music Theory Course

Theory is the language of musical structure

Music theory names and breaks down the relationships between notes, so that both performance and composition have something to stand on. It is not memorising rules, but reading how music is built — how harmony moves, how voices interweave, how style takes shape. With this language, performers can see the paths composers left behind, and composers hold a structure in hand to write in their own language.

Two paths, one foundation

Path One | Exam Milestones
ABRSM Grade 5 and Grade 8 theory are the qualifications most often required for further study locally. The course advances in structured modules: Grade 5 starts with score reading, scales and basic harmony; Grade 8 goes into chord voicing, part-writing, the theory of overtones and instrument ranges. Every lesson includes past paper homework, marked one by one by the tutor.

Path Two | Depth in Composition and Understanding
Theory is needed just as much when there is no exam. Composition, improvisation, arranging and analysis all take structure as their root. The course is adjusted to your goal — school music courses, entrance assessments, or simply wanting to read music properly.

Course Structure

Modular, not broken up and stretched out. Each unit holds clear, workable content, completing one structural category at a time.
Grade 5: Score Reading → Scales and Tonality → Basic Harmony → Phrasing and Structure
Grade 8: Four-part Harmony → Part-writing → Ornaments and Instrumentation → Harmonic Analysis → Composition

Course Details

• One-to-one private teaching — the most flexible
• Small group of 2–3 — pace kept in step, progress focused
• 60 minutes / 90 minutes per lesson
• Taught at the Studio (North Point)

Fee Structure

Arranged monthly, in units of two lessons per week.
Grade 5 one-to-one — 2 lessons per week × 4 weeks: from HK$3,600
Grade 8 one-to-one — 2 lessons per week × 4 weeks: from HK$4,800
Small group (2–3) — 2 lessons per week × 4 weeks: from HK$2,400 per person
For returning students or retakers, the course structure can be adjusted.

Exam Information

ABRSM Grade 5 Theory · Grade 8 Theory (2026)
Beyond the course, we can help arrange registration; exam fees are collected by the examination board.
Recent exam fee reference: about HK$1,637 for Grade 8 (subject to the board’s published rates).

Enquiries and Booking

Places are limited; the tutor arranges each student’s lesson times and progress individually.

WhatsApp 9411 8057
Phone 8191 3276
Telegram @hkmus

Preparation before lessons

• Grade 5: usually completed within 10–15 lessons
• Grade 8: Grade 5 qualification required first; allow at least 1 year
• We suggest allowing 2–4 lessons before the exam to discuss past papers and technique
• Students provide their own reference books, exercises and past papers (at their own cost)