Pre-Grade 1 Music Literacy Workbook | 2nd Edition

Learn. Understand. Practise. Apply.

Building strong musical foundations through listening, movement, reading, writing and creativity.

The Pre-Grade 1 Music Literacy Workbook, (143 pages) developed by Dr Ronella Brink (PhD in Music Education), provides a structured, engaging introduction to music theory and music literacy for young and beginner musicians.

Organised into 23 progressive weeks, this workbook introduces essential musical concepts through clear explanations, practical exercises, listening activities, creative tasks and regular revision.

Rather than focusing on written theory alone, learners are encouraged to connect what they see on the page with what they hear, feel, understand and perform.

What will learners explore?

• Rhythm and pulse: Crotchets, quavers, minims, semibreves, rests, time signatures and bar lines.

• Reading and writing music: The stave, treble and bass clefs, the musical alphabet and note recognition.

• Melodic understanding: Repeated notes, steps, skips, sol-fa and melodic patterns.

• Music theory foundations: Tones, semitones, accidentals, major scales, scale degrees, intervals and musical terminology.

• Practical musicianship: Rhythm clapping, body percussion, listening, movement and creative music-making.

• Practice and consolidation: Weekly homework, revision exercises, learner checklists, practice tests and a question bank.

Who is this workbook for?

Suitable for:

• Young musicians beginning their music education journey.

• Beginner piano and other instrumental learners.

• Music teachers seeking structured, progressive teaching resources.

• Homeschooling families introducing music literacy.

• Learners preparing for introductory music theory examinations.

• Students who need to strengthen their foundations before progressing to Grade 1 theory.

Examination preparation

The workbook draws on selected foundational requirements relevant to UNISA Pre-Grade 1, London College of Music Step examinations and Rockschool Popular Music Theory Debut, while supporting progression towards ABRSM and Trinity College London Grade 1 theory.

It develops essential music literacy skills that learners can apply across different instruments, musical settings and examination pathways.

Why choose this workbook?

Developed from extensive music teaching experience and academic research, this resource encourages learners to move beyond memorising musical facts towards genuine understanding.

New concepts are introduced gradually, while previously learned material is revisited and reinforced. This cumulative approach supports musical confidence, knowledge retention and increasing independence.

Music literacy is not simply something we learn on paper. It is something we hear, feel, understand and use.

An independently developed ScoreS2Duo Music Education Resource. Not affiliated with, endorsed by or published by any examination board. Additional examination-specific preparation may be required.