My Music Workbook: Pre-Grade 1 Music Literacy

Pre-Gr 1 Music Literacy Workbook is a beginner-friendly music workbook designed to help young learners build a secure foundation in music literacy before progressing to formal Grade 1 theory work.

Created by Dr Ronella Brink, PhD in Music Education, this workbook supports the gradual development of essential beginner skills such as rhythm, pulse, note values, rests, clefs, stave awareness, note names, time signatures, musical terms, sol-fa, scales, intervals, accidentals, listening skills and creative application.

This is not a drill-only theory book. Learners are encouraged to experience music actively through clapping, counting, listening, speaking, writing, moving, creating and reflecting. The workbook follows the learning sequence:

Experience it. Hear it. Feel it. Say it. Clap it. Read it. Write it. Create with it. Apply it. Revise it.

Each week introduces a new musical concept while revising earlier work, helping learners build confidence step by step. The exercises are cumulative, practical and varied, allowing learners to connect what they see on the page with what they hear, feel, play and create.

The workbook includes:

• weekly concept explanations
• rhythm clapping and counting activities
• word-rhythm games
• note-reading and stave-writing exercises
• aural and listening activities
• sol-fa work
• body percussion tasks
• creative writing exercises
• revision pages
• learner checklists
• test-style activities
• speed sheet revision
• question-bank practice

The book is especially useful for beginner learners preparing for early music theory pathways such as UNISA Pre-Grade 1, London College of Music Step-level preparation, and Rockschool / RSL Debut Popular Music Theory. It also provides a strong preparatory bridge for learners who will later continue with ABRSM Grade 1 or Trinity College London Grade 1 theory.

The workbook is informed by selected beginner-level and Grade 1 foundation requirements from several examination bodies, while extending beyond narrow exam preparation. Its broader goal is to help learners understand music as sound, movement, notation, memory, structure and expression.

The approach is also informed by Repertoire-Based Music Literacy Education, which means that theory is not treated as a separate paper exercise disconnected from real music-making. Instead, learners are encouraged to connect notation, rhythm, pitch, expression and musical understanding with the repertoire they are learning in lessons.

Suitable for:

• private music studios
• beginner theory lessons
• instrumental and vocal lessons
• group music classes
• home learning
• online music teaching
• early exam preparation
• learners needing a bridge before Grade 1 theory

This workbook may be used by piano, voice, instrumental and classroom music teachers who want a structured, creative and musically meaningful approach to beginner theory and music literacy.

Please note: This workbook is an independently developed educational resource. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or published by UNISA, London College of Music, Rockschool / RSL Awards, ABRSM or Trinity College London. Teachers should consult the most recent official syllabus of the relevant examination body before entering learners for an external examination.