ABRSM Grade 3 Online Music Theory

Explore time signatures and rhythm: top number sets beats per bar, bottom number shows what each beat is, with two two time, four four time, and three eight time.

Explore the time value of notes, from crotchet (one beat) to minim (two beats) and semibreve (four beats), and learn how quavers and semiquavers relate, including dotted notes.

Explore the demisemiquaver and its rest, and learn how note values—from crotchet to demisemiquaver—relate through dotted notes and groupings that equal a quaver.

Triplets compress three notes into the time of two, so three crotchets become a minim, and three quavers become a crotchet; other groupings follow the three-to-two rule.

Learn how simple time divides beats into two and compound time into threes, with duple, triple, and quadruple, and examples like 2/4, 3/4, 4/4 (simple) and 6/4, 9/8, 12/8 (compound).

Master grouping for two four, three four, and four four time by beating note groups beat by beat, beam quavers and semiquavers correctly, and split rests to avoid ties.

Learn how to group notes in 2/2, 3/2, and 4/2 time using minim beats, with clear guidance on semiquavers, rests, and avoiding overgrouping.

Master grouping in 3/8 time by beaming quavers and semiquavers, while rests are grouped beat by beat. Learn to split rests into quaver rests and keep notes unbroken.

Group six-eight, nine-eight, and twelve-eight by three-quaver beats, applying the same three-eight time grouping with beam patterns to show each set of three quavers.

Learn how to double or halve the time in a melody by adjusting time signatures and note values, with examples of crotchet, minim, and other notes.

Learn how ledger lines extend note reading on treble and bass clefs, from C4 to C6 and lower C3, C2. Memorize three C's on clefs to count notes for exams.

Learn to transpose a melody by one octave up or down, using middle C as a reference across bass and treble clefs, and verify notes against C3–C6 ranges.

Explore major and minor keys with sharps, learn key signatures up to six sharps, and how harmonic minor sharpens the seventh note, with practical key relationships.

Explore major and minor keys with flats, determine key signatures, and sharpen seventh notes as you count four steps between major keys and six steps from major to minor.

learn to write key signatures for major and minor keys, recognize sharp and flat patterns across treble and bass clefs, and memorize four-sharps and four-flats key signatures.

Explore major keys and minor keys through key signatures, detailing harmonic minor and melodic minor, including how to sharpen the seventh and sixth in melodic minor for ascending and descending.

Master D minor harmonic and melodic scales, ascending and descending, noting B flat; sharpen C sharp for harmonic, and sharpen B natural and C sharp for melodic ascent and descent.

Explore intervals by determining the distance between two notes (the number) and identifying the interval type (major, minor, perfect, diminished, augmented), while ignoring accidentals.

Determine the distance between two nodes to identify intervals, ignoring accidentals, and use the C to E example to show that they are a third apart.

Determine interval type by the distance between two notes; seconds, thirds, sixths, and sevenths require major or minor, while fourths, fifths, and eighths are perfect for grade three.

Step 3 shows identifying interval types from major key and signature charts; fourth, fifth, and eight are perfect, while seconds, thirds, sixths, and sevenths may be major or minor.

Learn method two for ABRSM grade 3 theory by counting semitones to identify intervals, memorize a semitone chart, and apply rules for perfect, major, and minor intervals.

Identify the interval number, then decide major, minor, or perfect; for grade three, rely on a key reference or semitone count, noting that fourth, fifth, and eighth are perfect.

Explore tonic triads from grade two in major and minor keys. Learn A major, B-flat major, E-flat major, A minor, and how to stack notes with key signatures.

Explore music in context through a short extract and exam-style questions. Learn to analyze rhythm, orchestral instruments, terms and signs, and how to answer.