Reading time: 10 minutes |
Section 5.1 of the ABRSM Grade 5 Music Theory exam tests your knowledge of chords and harmony.
You’ll be given a question like this: “Indicate suitable chords for the two cadences in the following melody by writing either I, II, IV, or V in each of the five boxes underneath the staves.”
To answer these questions, you need to understand triads, chord progressions, and cadences.
Here’s everything you need to know.
What Are Triads?
A triad is a chord with three notes, each separated by an interval of a third.
Example: D major scale
Take each note of the scale and stack two notes above it, each a third apart:
| Scale Degree | Triad Notes |
|---|---|
| I (Tonic) | D – F♯ – A |
| II (Supertonic) | E – G – B |
| III (Mediant) | F♯ – A – C♯ |
| IV (Subdominant) | G – B – D |
| V (Dominant) | A – C♯ – E |
| VI (Submediant) | B – D – F♯ |
| VII (Leading Note) | C♯ – E – G |
Roman Numeral Labelling
In Grade 5 Theory, you only need to know chords I, II, IV, and V.
| Roman Numeral | Chord Name |
|---|---|
| I | Tonic |
| II | Supertonic |
| IV | Subdominant |
| V | Dominant |
Note: In a minor key, chord V always uses the raised 7th (harmonic minor).
Example: E minor
Chord V = B – D♯ – F♯ (D♯ is raised, not D♮)
The Four Chords in F Major (Worked Example)
For the worked example in the transcript, the key is F major.
| Chord | Notes |
|---|---|
| I | F – A – C |
| II | G – B♭ – D |
| IV | B♭ – D – F |
| V | C – E – G |
What Are Cadences?
Cadences are specific chord progressions that indicate the end of a musical phrase. They’re like punctuation marks in music.
Perfect Cadence (V → I)
- Chord V followed by Chord I
- Sounds like a full stop (the strongest ending)
- Example: C – E – G → F – A – C
Plagal Cadence (IV → I)
- Chord IV followed by Chord I
- Sounds like “Amen” at the end of a hymn
- Example: B♭ – D – F → F – A – C
Imperfect Cadence (Any Chord → V)
- Any chord followed by Chord V
- Sounds like a comma (unfinished)
- Can be: I → V, II → V, or IV → V
- Example: F – A – C → C – E – G
Summary of Cadences
| Cadence | Chord Progression | Sound |
|---|---|---|
| Perfect | V → I | Full stop (finished) |
| Plagal | IV → I | “Amen” (finished) |
| Imperfect | Any → V | Comma (unfinished) |
How to Approach Section 5.1 Questions
Step 1: Identify the Key
Always start by figuring out the key. If you get this wrong, all your chord choices will be wrong.
Example: One flat, no accidentals → F major
Step 2: Write Out the Four Chords
List the notes for chords I, II, IV, and V in the key.
Example (F major):
- I: F – A – C
- II: G – B♭ – D
- IV: B♭ – D – F
- V: C – E – G
Step 3: Identify Non-Chord Tones
Not every note in the melody belongs to the chord. Some are decoration notes (non-chord tones).
Types of Non-Chord Tones
| Type | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Passing Note | Connects two chord notes by step. Falls on a weak beat. | G → F (passing) → E |
| Accented Passing Note | Same as passing note but falls on a strongbeat. | A (strong beat) connects D to F |
| Auxiliary Note | Moves away from a chord note and returns to it. | G → A (auxiliary) → G |
| Appoggiatura | A decoration note that’s approached by a leap and resolved by a step. | (Not required to name in exam) |
How to Spot Non-Chord Tones
- Passing Note: Usually on a weak beat, connects two chord notes
- Accented Passing Note: On a strong beat, connects two chord notes
- Auxiliary Note: Goes up or down from a chord note and returns to it
Tip: Ignore non-chord tones and focus on the chord notes when choosing the harmony.
Worked Example
Let’s walk through the example from the transcript.
Key: F major
Chords: I (F–A–C), II (G–B♭–D), IV (B♭–D–F), V (C–E–G)
Box 1: Notes A – D – C – A – F
| Note | Belongs to Chord? |
|---|---|
| A | I has A |
| D | Non-chord tone (appoggiatura) |
| C | I has C |
| A | I has A |
| F | I has F |
Answer: I
Box 2: Notes G – F – E
| Note | Belongs to Chord? |
|---|---|
| G | V has G |
| F | Non-chord tone (passing note) |
| E | V has E |
Answer: V
Cadence: I → V = Imperfect Cadence
Box 3: Notes A – B♭ – D – E – F
| Note | Belongs to Chord? |
|---|---|
| A | Non-chord tone? |
| B♭ | IV has B♭ |
| D | IV has D |
| E | Non-chord tone (accented passing note) |
| F | IV has F |
Answer: IV
Box 4: Notes G – A – G – C
| Note | Belongs to Chord? |
|---|---|
| G | V has G |
| A | Non-chord tone (auxiliary note) |
| G | V has G |
| C | V has C |
Answer: V
Box 5: Note F
| Note | Belongs to Which Chord? |
|---|---|
| F | I has F, IV has F |
Which one forms a proper cadence?
- Previous chord was V
- V → I = Perfect Cadence ✅
- V → IV = Not a cadence ❌
Answer: I
Cadence: V → I = Perfect Cadence
Summary of the Worked Example
| Box | Chord | Cadence |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | I | |
| 2 | V | I → V = Imperfect |
| 3 | IV | |
| 4 | V | |
| 5 | I | V → I = Perfect |
The Three-Step Method
- Identify the key – use your key signature table
- Write out the four chords – I, II, IV, V
- Identify non-chord tones – focus on the chord notes
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
- Getting the key wrong. Always check the key signature first!
- Including non-chord tones in your chord choice. Ignore passing notes, auxiliary notes, and appoggiaturas.
- Forgetting the raised 7th in minor keys. Chord V in minor always uses the raised 7th.
- Not checking the cadence progression. Make sure the chord progression forms a recognised cadence.
Practice Makes Perfect
Understanding the theory is one thing, but exam success comes from repeated, focused practice. That’s why my interactive practice site (app.owenmusictheory.com) can make all the difference in your preparation.
Here’s how the two practice modes work:
Drill Mode: Master One Section at a Time
Drill Mode is designed for targeted practice. You get access to all the questions organised section by section, just like the real exam. This means you can:
- Focus specifically on chords and cadences until it feels second nature
- Skip the sections you’re already confident in and spend your time where it matters most
- Practise the same question type repeatedly with virtually unlimited questions – you’ll never run out of fresh material
With instant feedback on every answer, you’ll learn from your mistakes immediately and reinforce correct answers right away.
Exam Mode: Simulate the Real Thing
When you’re ready to put it all together, Exam Mode gives you the full experience:
- Full-length papers in the exact format of the ABRSM exam
- Randomised questions each time you take a test – no two papers are the same
- A 2-hour time limit to help you build speed and stamina
- A final score and detailed feedback at the end, so you know exactly where you stand
This mode is invaluable for reducing exam-day anxiety. The more you practise under real conditions, the more confident you’ll feel when it counts.
Get Started
- Head to app.owenmusictheory.com
- Sign up free — no card required
- Try the free Pitch and Terms drills, or sit the free sample exam paper
- If it’s helping, upgrade for full access to every section and unlimited randomised papers
Grade 5 Theory is a one-time hurdle standing between you and your next practical grade. Practising smart — with realistic questions, instant feedback, and proper timed conditions — is the difference between walking in anxious and walking in ready.
Good luck!
