Our Online Theory Courses are here to support your learning. We have four music theory syllabuses but Theory of Music is the only one with courses and exercises specially developed to align to the syllabus. Learn theory at your own pace, in your own time, in your own home.
What are the benefits of Online Theory Courses?
Whether you're working towards your theory exam or just want to learn the meaning behind the dots on the page, here are some of the great benefits to studying your theory with our Online Courses:
- Learn independently and at your own pace.
- 12 months of unlimited access to rewatch lessons and take practice exams.
- Suitable for learners of all ages.
- You'll use the same online platform as the Theory Exams so it's great for building familiarity through your preparation.
- Lots of examples and practical applications.
- Content curated by some of Australia's leading theory teachers and mentors.
- Topics are presented in bite-sized, digestible concepts.
How will theory help my practical skills?
Theory of Music is incredibly useful in supporting EVERY type of music performance study.
We know that understanding theory can be a huge help when it comes to growing your skills and passion for your craft. By learning theory, you deepen your knowledge and comprehension of your actions, helping inform your artistic choices. By increasing your understanding of the notes and harmonies behind the dots on the page, you gain the tools to bring the notes to life and discover new and interesting layers to your repertoire. Theory will help you to get more out of your performing arts education, and support you in your learning journey.
- You'll gain deeper insight into the composers' intentions and be able to better (and more easily) translate notes into music.
- Get to know your piece on a deeper level to easily identify phrases and musical lines of expression.
- Understand the written musical instructions and expand your tool kit of techniques.
- Practical exam Discussion and General Knowledge segments are a breeze when you know the backstory.
The Theory of Music material is directly relevant to all AMEB (and Rockschool) music syllabuses and is one of the options you can take to achieve any corequisite requirements for senior practical exams: if you're working towards a Grade 6 practical exam, you'll need to have successfully completed your Grade 2 theory exam and so on.
What resources are available for learners?
The Courses themselves are brilliant resources - they provide step-by-step lessons to introduce new concepts and expand your understanding.
The Online Courses are available through SCORE - your AMEB enrolment platform - and come with 12 months' access and unlimited practice exams. They also use the exact same software as the Online Exam so you get to practice your theory knowledge at the same time as experiencing the exam platform. If you prefer to practice with pencil and paper, we have a printed version of the Online Courses in our Integrated Course and Workbooks. These contain the same concepts and exercises with some additional features, and are available from our AMEB Online Shop or your favourite local music retailer.
The Syllabus is free to download and it outlines all the things you need to prepare for your exam. Not working toward an exam? That's ok, it's still a handy resource as it will give you a deep understanding of what you'll learn in each Course and it includes recommendations for furthe reading if you're struggling with any concept.
Online Courses are great for self-directed learning but they're not meant to replace a teacher (nothing could replace that!). They are, however, fantastic learning tools to discover the material and have a go yourself.
What resources are available for teachers?
You'll find the Online Courses to be excellent teaching tools as they've been developed by one of Australia's leading and most prolific theory minds: Andrew Raiskums. We always recommend teachers as the key to unlocking potential and you'll have lots of great techniques for teaching the material. Courses can offer different approaches, opportunities for learners to practice and continue or embed material outside of lessons, or simply provide another voice to reinforce your own reminders.
If you're preparing your students for a Theory of Music Exam, you can track their progress as they learn. By logging into SCORE, you can view which lessons have been completed, and also the results of any practice exams. This will help you to support them to fill the gaps in their knowledge and best prepare for their exam. The Integrated Course and Workbooks also include a practice exam at the end of the book for you to check the knowledge of your students. We also have a handy guideline document that provides further insights as to what Examiners are looking for and errors to avoid.
Download the Teacher Guidelines
Do I have to have done the previous exam first?
Not at all. There are not prerequisites for the Online Courses - they're learning tools. And even the exams don't require you to have passed the exam before it. However, the knowledge is cumulative so you are expected to be able to demonstrate an understanding of all concepts within the previous Grades. If you're wanting to do a refresher, or are wondering if you missed something in a previous Grade, an Online Course is a cheap and accessible way to check your knowledge or find your gaps.
How do practice exams work?
Practice exams (and official exams), use an integrated software called Musition that has been created just for AMEB by Rising Software. As soon as you enrol in either an Online Course or Online Exam, you'll have access to practice exams. Start a practice exam and text your knowledge while you get familiar with the platform - this makes the Online Exam much easier as you're just testing your knowledge and not needing to figure out where buttons are.
Practice exams get marked automatically (some grades this may not be the whole exam) so you'll have a really good idea of the result you're likely to get and also where you might need to do some more study. That means you can take the time to familiarise yourself with the platform and give yourself the best possible chance of success.
If you'd like to read more about the music theory tools and notation, or if you are looking for some guidance, we have a heap of helpful FAQs available on SCORE.
Can I get TCE bonus points for my Theory of Music exams?
Yes you can! And that goes for any AMEB exam, including all Speech & Drama, PAA, Classical, and Rockschool syllabuses. In fact, all theory exams are eligible for TCE bonus points from Grade 2 onwards, as well as practical Grade 4+. Please note that Online Courses are for learning and practice - they're ineligible for TCE bonus points as they don't include an exam enrolment.
When can I do a my Theory of Music exam?
Almost any time! Exams can be done online and at a time that suits you. You'll need a supervisor to ensure all the work is your own but the online platform is available 24/7. We even see people achieving their theory exam on Christmas Day! Head to SCORE to enrol and start practicing with access to free practice exams. Please note that Online Courses are for learning and practice, and don't include an exam enrolment.
If you're wanting to do a paper-based exam, please have a read of our website information page.
I have more questions.
That's great! We'd love to help with those. Please feel free to browse the other great sources of information on our website or get in touch to find out more.
