A Look at Music Exams
by Anita Hale
Have you ever heard of the term "grades" in references to a musical instrument? Perhaps you know someone that plays piano and has told you they are grade four. What does this actually mean? In a nutshell, the grade of a musician refers to their level of ability in a particular instrument. This level is measured through the taking of music exams. There are three different examination boards in the UK with the power to set these exams and subsequently award these grades. They are: ABRSM, London College of Music and Trinity College London. The ABRSM (Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music) is the largest and most used examination board for these exams.
The ABRSM offers jazz exams, theory exams and practical musicianship exams. You'll find that the practical exams are the ones most people are familiar with. These carry 35 different syllabuses, tailored to a particular instrument. In addition, the exams themselves carry with them the award of a grade. Beginners start with taking the grade one exam. The top exam is for grade eight.
Now let's have a look at what goes on during the actual exam. To begin with, every candidate will have come prepared with three pieces of sheet music. This is for the set pieces element of the exam. These pieces are chosen by the candidate from the course syllabus well in advance of the exam. every two years the syllabus gets updated with new pieces of music to choose from. In the exam the candidate will bring in the sheet music for these pieces and play them to the best of their ability. This component carries a maximum score of 30 with 20 needed for a pass.
Next up is the scales and arpeggios component. This is quite a straightforward. The candidate must simply play the correct scales that the examiner asks for. This usually consists of three or four different scales. Their is no sheet music in this section as they are all played from memory. A minimum score of 14 out of 21 is needed to pass this component.
The third section of the exam is the aural section. This is designed to test the musical ear of the candidate. During this section the examiner will play the instrument and then ask the candidate a series of questions based on what was played. This section carries a total of 18 marks with 12 needed for a pass.
Sight-reading is the final part of the exam. For many it is also the most daunting as it requires the student to play from a piece of music they have never seen before. They will be given the sheet music during the exam and will then have 30 seconds to prepare and practice the piece. After this time they must play the music as best they can. The maximum mark for this part is 21. At least 14 marks are required to pass.
To pass the whole music exam and be awarded your grade you must score at least 100 out of 150 in total. If you are able to score 120 then you will be given a "Pass with merit." Additionally, if you score 130 on the exam then you will be given a "Pass with distinction."
This <a href="http://www.articleblast.com/Arts_and_Entertainment/Music/Taking_a_Music_Exam/">music shop in brighton</a> offers a great range of instruments and you can also <a href="http://pianomusiclover.livejournal.com">buy sheet music uk</a>.
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New Unique Article!
Title: A Look at Music Exams
Author: Anita Hale
Email: annie@zone1creative.co.uk
Keywords: music exams,music grades,sheet music,learning an instrument,music education,abrsm,musical instruments,music,exams,education
Word Count: 531
Category: Hobbies
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