RCM Theory and Ear Training to Level 5

[bernadette60614]

Thanks everyone for reading this post.  My teacher and I are working on the goal of my successfully doing the RCM Level 5 exams this year.  I have no prior ear training or theory experience. What would you recommend?

[crimson]

I'm unfamiliar with the RCM exams, but surely there are theory prep books for your level that can be purchased online? Throughout my childhood I did a program that was specific to one state in the US, and there were prep books that were available on Amazon and in some music stores for pretty cheap, like $10-20. Perhaps your teacher can assist you in finding other appropriate resources. musictheory.net is a nice free resource for ear training, and there are plenty more sites out there for that as well.

[keypeg]

I only saw this question now.  the RCM puts out a syllabus which has the requirements for each grade level.  Theory starts with rudiments as: preparatory, grade 1 (intermediate), grade 2 (advanced).  I assume you'll be doing the preparatory level?  This is something you should be working through over a lot of months, maybe even a year.  I used the Barbara Wharram book which contains all three levels with  a kind of overlap.

[quantum]

The RCM theory syllabus, as keypeg mentioned above, is available online.  This outlines the official exam requirements.

I think of the Wharram book as the user manual for RCM rudiments.  Personally, I've found it useful, but some students might feel overwhelmed by all the information in it. 

Some other resources to consider:

Boris Berlin, Four Star Sight Reading and Ear Tests.  It is a graded series, so only relevant material for the level in each book.

Bennett and Capp, Complete Series of Sight Reading and Ear Tests. It's a graded series.

For ear training, in addition to practising with exam questions, I would recommend improvising at the keyboard with intervals and simple melodies.  Getting familiar with the keyboard and how to improvise simple melodies, will be good preparation for the melody playback questions.

Try to make developing ear training a daily activity in music making, and not just an academic exercise in being able to answer an exam question.  For example, try to playback the tune you hear in a TV jiingle. A phone rings in the room, try to playback the ringtone.  Clap back the rhythm you hear construction workers making with their tools.  Get out some paper and try to notate that same rhythm.  Find ways to involve ear training in daily activities.