Musical Practice and Performance Stack Exchange
Musical Practice and Performance Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [abrsm]

Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM), provides examinations in music at centres in about 93 countries. Founded in 1889, based in London. Questions specifically related to ABRSM exam grades should also use the exam-grades tag.

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What are the ABRSM graded examinations, and why would one want to take them?

I have seen several questions here about the exams offered by the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music in the United Kingdom. Most questions are from the standpoint of people who are in the middle of the examination process. Here in the…
user1044
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What criteria does ABRSM use in assigning piano music to each grade?

For each piano exam grade, ABRSM publishes a book of music curated for that grade. In addition, they provide references to other pieces acceptable for that grade-level exam. What criteria are used to curate the syllabus at each grade? For a piano…
Aaron
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What is the definition of "technically contrasting"?

On the RCM Piano Syllabus, for most of the etudes it states "Students must prepare two technically contrasting etudes from the following list." What does it mean for two pieces to be technically contrasting?
Peter
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ABRSM Exams: Repeating of bars

I am a grade three pianist, and I am taking my exam soon. I am playing the piece Allegro by Muzio Clementi (A:1 , ABRSM Grade 3 Piano Exam Pieces 2015 & 2016), and there are two repeat signs. I am currently playing the repeat signs, but in the exam,…
Xetrov
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Piano Grade 2 Aural test - Triple or double time

Part of the ABRSM Grade 2 piano exam involves the examiner playing a piece, with the student required to start clapping along when they sense the rhythm, and to then identify whether or not the piece was in 'double or triple time'. I have my exam…
Tom Davies
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ABRSM exams for adult beginners

I have been playing piano for five years as an adult beginner, and recently passed my ABRSM grade 5. I am determined to pass all eight grades but I realize that the higher the grades the more difficult the process will be, but I am determined to…
Wendy C.
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Double stops in ABRSM Grade 7 violin

I am going to do ABRSM Grade 7 violin. Under scales and arpeggios I have to play double-stop scales in sixths, in G and Bb majors. In a book I found out that when I am asked to play double stops in sixths in G I have to start with G & Eb. I am…
Lasitha Yapa
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Restarting music lessons/exams and beginning teaching

I've been on an instrumental hiatus from music for 2 years due to my GCSE exams and from singing for a year. I've been told I can take back up 2 out of the 4 instruments I used to play and have lessons for, so I picked piano and saxophone. The issue…
Gladiator Kittens
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How to learn sight singing?

ABRSM grades for vocal require sight singing (grade 1). Do I need to take some special training to get this skill or is it expected to come with time? I am currently taking both vocal and piano lessons for about one year. I mostly simply follow…
h22
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If I'm grade X, how close to X-standard pieces should I be able to sight read?

When you take a grade exam you have pieces you have to prepare, and you are also expected to sight-read... but the sight-read pieces for each grade will be easier than the pieces you prepare. I wondered how big the difference is i.e if I take a…
Mr. Boy
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Do the music examination bodies like trinity mandate playing the triads with with only (5-3-1) in Left Hand and (1-3-5) in Right Hand?

My music teacher has always told me to use only pinky, middle finger and thumb (5-3-1) while practicing the triad chords. Though I am trying to use it, it becomes difficult on the black keys. Personally, I find playing the triads with left hand…
Bodhi
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Practising multiple pieces

I'm currently beginning to study repetoire in preparation for my DipAbrsm piano diploma. In total I will be playing 4 pieces (Bach E minor Toccata, Beethoven Moonlight Sonata, Schubert Impromptu No. 3, Rachmaninoff Prelude in C# minor). As one can…
S.L
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Do I need to take the ABRSM practical exams to do the theory exams?

I've been learning theory for many years. I'm self taught using lots of great books (many from ABRSM). My reasons for learning theory wasn't to become good at playing an instrument. I'm a software developer who develops applications relating to…
BugHunterUK
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Instrument grade exams

How many grade exams are there for playing an instrument? I came to know that there are around 8 grades to qualify you as a professional guitar player. How are these grades decided and what is the syllabus? I dint find much information at one…
GamDroid
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How many keys should I require for a keyboard for ABRSM piano exams?

I looked at some related questions about piano key numbers but I was wondering how many keys would be required specifically for piano exams. I have previously trained to grade 4 in ABRSM but that was some years ago and I want to buy my first…
Kidburla
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