Popular Music Theory The essential guide for contemporary musicians, composers and educators.
Performance is a huge part of being a musician, but we believe it is a firm grasp of musical language that opens up the door to achieving your full potential. Our goal is to aid the development of articulate, accomplished musicians, and the Popular Music Theory resources have been specifically designed with this in mind.
Rockschool’s Theory Guidebooks are the ideal introduction to music theory for musicians, composers, students and teachers, designed for use with Rockschool’s theory exams, as study and teaching aids, or as standalone guides.
Theory Exam Dates
For the latest exam session dates, please head to our Dates & Fees page.
Full-Colour Guidebooks
Rockschool Popular Music Theory consists of two beautifully crafted Guidebooks packed with helpful information to guide you through music theory from start to finish.
Read Chord Charts and notation
You'll develop your music theory from Debut–Grade 8 using some of the best-known genres in pop and rock, whilst taking notes from some of the world's biggest artists and composers.
Analyse Score
Rockschool Popular Music Theory will give you the confidence and articulation to direct and work with bands, performers, studio engineers and composers.
Understand Complex Rhythm Notation and time Signatures
Discover more about rock and pop's more uncommon instruments, how they're notated and how to arrange your own brass and string sections.
Suitable for the Classroom
The course is suitable for teaching in group situations, school classrooms or for individuals.
Workbooks for every grade
Sample papers are supplied at each grade in your Workbook, so you can test what you've learnt in our Guidebooks and ensure your theory knowledge is up to scratch.
Simple Steps Completing a Rockschool exam is a rewarding experience and we can get you on the path to success in no time. To get started, simply grab your book from the shop.
Are you ready to put your skills to the test? If yes, don’t delay – enrol for your exam today!
Enrol NowThe Rockschool Popular Music Theory Syllabus Guide
The requirements for Popular Music Theory exams are listed in the syllabus guide.