Music Theory for Beginners - Online Courses - Adult Learning

Online Courses, Nottingham

Date	21 April - 30 June 2026
Sessions	Tuesdays: 5:45pm - 6:45pm
No. sessions	10
Venue	Online Courses, Nottingham View venue details View on Google Maps
For ages	19+
Group size	5 - 15
Cost	FREE - £40

About this course

This course is for those wishing to gain the knowledge necessary to pass the Associated Boards of the Royal College of Music (ABRSM) Grades 1 &/or 2 Theory Exams. This course, in easy stages, explains and explores the fundamental elements of music theory: rhythm, melody, harmony, and expression, dynamics and tempo, using basic Western music notation.

By attending this course, you will complete weekly exercises, culminating in the completion of ABRSM Theory Practice papers, which are marked to show your progress. No previous musical experience is required.

By the end of the course, you will have the knowledge to complete an ABRSM Music Theory examination (please note – this is not an accredited course, but the tutor will explain how you could gain the accreditation if you wish to complete the exam).

Resources:-

Manuscript paper, a pencil and a rubber
Associated Boards of the Royal College of Music (ABRSM) Grades 1 &/or 2 Theory Practice Papers
Ability to send pictures (usually via your phone) to my email address – so I can mark your homework

Booking your place and fee information

If you receive certain benefits you will be offered the course for free, however if you have a financial barrier which may prevent you from enrolling on the course, please visit our funding page for further information.

Residency in England

To book and enrol on one of our courses, you must be living in England permanently and live outside of the devolved areas listed below or live within the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) devolved area (Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire).

Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield
Cambridgeshire and Peterborough
Greater London
Greater Manchester
Liverpool City Region
Newcastle Upon Tyne, North Tyneside and Northumberland
Tees Valley
West of England
West Midlands
West Yorkshire

Residency Eligibility – other criteria

If you are living in the UK on a visa we will require evidence of this in order to be funded for the course, you can upload this evidence when you apply for the course. (completion of a questionnaire will be required).

Some exceptions may apply for example

Your visa expiry date must be beyond the end of your course
Asylum seekers must have lived in the UK for 6 months or longer while their claim is being considered by the Home Office
You are receiving local authority support under section 23C or section 23CA of the Children Act 1989 or the Care Act 2014

Any learner who is not funded full cost fees would apply to these courses.