When we take up an instrument at school or have private music lessons, we will nearly always be encouraged to learn "grades" of that instrument. By learning grades, you are given the opportunity to master the technicalities of the instrument you are learning, as well as the music theory behind it.
Who is responsible for awarding these grades? That would be the job of one of three examination boards. They are as follows: ABRSM, London College of Music and Trinity College London. The ABRSM is short for Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music. In truth, this is the most popular of all the examination boards. If you are taking music lessons at school then you are probably learning the syllabus set by ABRSM.
There are a range of music exams that a student may take. These include theory exams, practical musicianship, jazz exams and practical exams. The practical exams are the most popular as these pertain to the individual instrument you are learning. These exams start at grade one for the beginner and go all the way up to grade eight.
Taking a practical exam is now mean feat. There are a number of sections to the exam and each one must be passed in order to be awarded a grade. The first section is the set pieces. This is where the student plays three pieces of music that they have pre-prepared from the course syllabus. Each piece carries a total of thirty marks. The student must get at least twenty out of thirty one ach one to pass.
Scales and arpeggios is the second part of the exam. Simply put, the examiner request a certain scale from the student. The student then has to play this from memory. The exercise is usually repeated several times. This section requires 14 marks out of 21 for a pass.
The aural test is the third part of the practical exam. This is where the examiner takes over the playing of the instrument. He will play a piece of music and then ask the student a series of questions about what he plays. Sometimes the questions will require the student to clap or sing. This section carries a total of 18 marks. To pass the section the student must score at least 12 marks.
Some regard the sight-reading component as the most difficult part of the exam. This is where the student is presented with a piece of music they haven't seen before. They are given thirty seconds preparation time and must then attempt to play it as best they can. The sight-reading exercise is marked out of 21 and the student needs 14 marks to pass.
The practical exam carries a total of 150 marks. The student will be awarded their grade as long as they score a minimum of 100 marks. However, if they get 120 marks they will receive what is called a pass with merit. An overall score of 130 or higher gets a pass with distinction.
Who is responsible for awarding these grades? That would be the job of one of three examination boards. They are as follows: ABRSM, London College of Music and Trinity College London. The ABRSM is short for Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music. In truth, this is the most popular of all the examination boards. If you are taking music lessons at school then you are probably learning the syllabus set by ABRSM.
There are a range of music exams that a student may take. These include theory exams, practical musicianship, jazz exams and practical exams. The practical exams are the most popular as these pertain to the individual instrument you are learning. These exams start at grade one for the beginner and go all the way up to grade eight.
Taking a practical exam is now mean feat. There are a number of sections to the exam and each one must be passed in order to be awarded a grade. The first section is the set pieces. This is where the student plays three pieces of music that they have pre-prepared from the course syllabus. Each piece carries a total of thirty marks. The student must get at least twenty out of thirty one ach one to pass.
Scales and arpeggios is the second part of the exam. Simply put, the examiner request a certain scale from the student. The student then has to play this from memory. The exercise is usually repeated several times. This section requires 14 marks out of 21 for a pass.
The aural test is the third part of the practical exam. This is where the examiner takes over the playing of the instrument. He will play a piece of music and then ask the student a series of questions about what he plays. Sometimes the questions will require the student to clap or sing. This section carries a total of 18 marks. To pass the section the student must score at least 12 marks.
Some regard the sight-reading component as the most difficult part of the exam. This is where the student is presented with a piece of music they haven't seen before. They are given thirty seconds preparation time and must then attempt to play it as best they can. The sight-reading exercise is marked out of 21 and the student needs 14 marks to pass.
The practical exam carries a total of 150 marks. The student will be awarded their grade as long as they score a minimum of 100 marks. However, if they get 120 marks they will receive what is called a pass with merit. An overall score of 130 or higher gets a pass with distinction.
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