Music Theory Class for Adults: Grade 5

16 classes in 2 terms, two and a half hours a week

Painting of The Wedding at Cana by Veronese

Grade 5 introduces melody writing in two parts, non-chord tones, secondary chords, and introductions to the symphony orchestra, chamber music, and lieder. Participants must have completed Susan's courses of Grades 1 to 4 before attending this course.

Course Outline

Written Section

  • Revising the Rudiments of Music
  • Writing a Melody to a Text
  • Inverting Chords in Four-Part Harmony
  • Harmonising a melody
  • Two-Part Melody writing
  • Set Work: Schubert: Erlkonig
  • Set Work: Vaughan Williams: The Vagabond
  • Set Work: Mozart: String Quintet K.614
  • Art Song and Lieder
  • British Art Song 1900-1950
  • Introduction to the Symphony Orchestra
  • String Instruments
  • Introduction to the Classical Period
  • Chamber Music

Participants will need to own both scores and recordings of the set works for this grade. The cost of these are not included in the course fee.

Aural Section

  • Scale forms
  • Scale notes: intervals
  • Major and minor chords
  • Melody Dictation
  • Perfect and imperfect cadences
  • Time Signatures
  • Melody dictation
  • Recognition of set works

Resources for Grade 5

More information

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Related Courses

Grade 1

Grade 2

Grades 1-2 combined

Grade 3

Grade 4

Grade 5 (you are here)

Grade 6

Music Theory Classes main page

Music Theory Classes FAQs

“I enjoyed it all and appreciated the way it was organized, e.g. the most difficult sections introduced early, so that we had time to practice in the following weeks. I was satisfied with methods, materials, and pace, and levels” - Mia, Balmain, 2016 Grade 5 class

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About Susan Deas

Susan Deas is a professional musician, lecturer and teacher. She has been teaching piano for over twenty years, and her students learn both classical and contemporary styles, including playing by ear and improvisation. Susan also gives professional development workshops and lessons to private music teachers. She performs professionally as a pianist and organist, and lectures in music theory and music appreciation for Sydney University’s Centre for Continuing Education. Susan’s training includes a Bachelor of Music with a major in Performance (Piano) and Musicology, a Master of Music Studies (Studio Pedagogy), a Bachelor of Arts (Communications), and an A.Mus.A in Musicianship. Susan is an Accredited Member of the Music Teachers’ Association of NSW.

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