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UdemyABRSM and Trinity Music Theory
4.8(7)686 studentsALL LEVELSEnglish
Korshub's take
A sampler to help you choose your exam board
UK music grades run from 1 (beginner) to 8 (near university-entry standard), and the two major exam bodies, ABRSM and Trinity College London, diverge in approach starting around grade 2. This course doesn't teach the grades themselves — it offers sample lessons across all eight levels from both boards so you can hear the difference before committing to one.
Who it's for
Music students, parents, or teachers trying to decide between ABRSM and Trinity before enrolling in a formal grade path. It suits any level, since the samples span beginner through advanced material.
Key takeaways
- How ABRSM's traditional, classical-leaning, academically focused approach differs from Trinity's
- Why Trinity places more emphasis on composition and non-classical material
- A grade-by-grade sense of what each board expects at each stage
- Enough information to make an informed choice before your first real exam
About this course
What are Music Grades?
Music Grades - the UK categories music ability (theory and practical) into 8 grades. Grade 1 is a beginner level, and grade 8 is approximately the minimum standard required for entry on to a music degree at university, or entry into a music conservatoire.
Music grades are not related to "school grades". Music grades are open to people of any age and exams can be taken all around the world.
In the UK the two main exam bodies are the ABRSM (Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music) and Trinity College London.
Sample videos from grades 1 to 8 ABRSM and Trinity
If you are unsure which board to focus on, this free sample course may help you to decide!
Inside you'll find:
Lessons from each of the eight music theory grades offered by ABRSM and Trinity to help you decide which course you'd like to follow.
These two exam boards start off broadly similar, but begin to diverge at grade 2.
ABRSM is more traditional, with a heavier focus on "classical" music and academic knowledge.
Trinity is more modern, with more equal focus on "classical" and non-classical knowledge and more emphasis on composition. It is generally broader than ABRSM.
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