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.

Filter by
Sorted by
Tagged with
2 votes
1 answer
323 views

Is Moonlight (first movement) suitable for grade 7?

Can I play Sonata No. 14 “Moonlight” (first movement) by L. Van Beethoven for ABRSM digital Performance Grade 7 for piano as my own choice? As per Performance Grades - FAQs: For the exam candidates ...
  • 21
2 votes
2 answers
111 views

Should I stop taking lesson from a Jazz guitar player when I want to learn Classical guitar?

I am currently taking Classical guitar lessons intending to take ABRSM graded exam. The problem now is the guitar teacher doesn't seem to be well versed in Classical guitar. I have often spotted him ...
  • 139
3 votes
4 answers
203 views

Are there any practical differences in the scales and arpeggios required by ABRSM for different instruments?

ABSRM separately publishes books of scales and arpeggios for each instrument. See this for example But surely the scales are the same no matter the instrument. I couldn't find contents lists for the ...
3 votes
3 answers
667 views

Which test or qualification in music can provide a degree which is equivalent to a Bachelor's degree?

I have heard about ABRSM levels which the level 8 is equal to music diploma. But I want to know if there is any higher test levels which equals to a bachelor of music Thanks
4 votes
2 answers
462 views

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. ...
  • 161
13 votes
1 answer
233 views

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 ...
  • 71.8k
10 votes
2 answers
419 views

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 ...
  • 203
0 votes
1 answer
233 views

First inversions of arpeggios ABRSM

I've been practicing the first inversions of arpeggios for grade 7 piano and would like to know whether I'm practicing them right. I'm starting on the mediant of the scale and treating it like a ...
1 vote
1 answer
150 views

Skipping grades and the more advanced grades: [closed]

So at the moment, I am about to do my grade 4 piano exam. I am a very musical person and on the side I challenge myself to do grade 6 pieces, etc... I only have 2 and a half years left until I leave ...
1 vote
2 answers
401 views

Skipping ABRSM grades to grade 5 theory?

TL;DR I have decent experience in playing a number of instruments and am wondering if I can take grade 5 theory without having taken any theory exam before. Basically I've been on and off about music ...
  • 11
2 votes
2 answers
749 views

"Scale in thirds" vs "scales a third apart" - what is the difference?

I was just browsing through ABRSM syllabus and found two different things, as mentioned in the title. What is the difference? The syllabus is here: https://in.abrsm.org/fileadmin/user_upload/PDFs/...
  • 706
3 votes
3 answers
252 views

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,...
  • 502
1 vote
1 answer
186 views

ABRSM: Piano performance diploma

The information on the ABRSM website isn't entirely clear to me. Is there a diploma for piano performance only? Thanks!
4 votes
1 answer
608 views

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 ...
2 votes
2 answers
5k views

How long does Grade 6 music theory take?

I did Grade 5 theory back in 2013. And did A-level music in 2012-2014. My attendance wasn't great, for various reasons, and my memory is patchy but I've retained my Grade 5 theory skills and then some....
  • 21
1 vote
3 answers
1k views

Skipping Grades Music Theory

Is it possible to skip straight to Grade 5 Theory? Will be skipping to Grade 5 piano, and would like to continue to Grade 6 Piano.
  • 11
3 votes
2 answers
1k views

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 ...
0 votes
1 answer
4k views

How long on average does it take to receive ABRSM grading results?

Recently, my sister took a piano exam, and it has been two weeks now since she did her Grade 2. It seems to be taking a while, and I would like to know how long it takes the results when you enter for ...
  • 575
5 votes
2 answers
2k views

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 ...
-1 votes
4 answers
15k views

ABRSM: Skipping grades

I was going to do my Grade 3 piano, until the pieces I had learned had gone past the deadline for when I was going to take my examination. Therefore, I had got frustrated, so my Piano teacher asked me ...
  • 575
7 votes
3 answers
2k views

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 ...
  • 575
1 vote
3 answers
3k views

How to learn ABRSM music theory

I'm sorry if this is not the correct place to post this question, I use many stack exchanges but this is the first time I have used the Music SE. I would like to learn music theory (ABRSM), with the ...
0 votes
1 answer
175 views

Playing the Piano at Grade 3 [duplicate]

For Grade 3 Piano it says that I can choose between harmonic or melodic minor scales. Could you please help me understand what they are and the difference?
  • 1
3 votes
2 answers
624 views

Violin squeak during chord caused by old strings?

I am preparing to take the ABRSM violin test, grade 5. One of the pieces, Allegro (4th mvmt Sonata in E, HWV 373) by Händel (A:2), has a chord (measure 22, F♯, a♯, e) where my violin inevitably ...
  • 135
3 votes
3 answers
3k views

Help with understanding ABRSM grades?

I've been playing piano for a few years as something I take seriously and sing in the school choir just for fun. My piano teacher and choir director semi-frequently compliment me on how quickly I can ...
4 votes
3 answers
209 views

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 ...
0 votes
2 answers
3k views

How to advance to grade 1 after completing "easiest piano course"

By teaching myself piano from scratch using John Thompson's easiest piano course, how many books do I need to get through to be grade 1 standard? I am currently half way through book 2. Thank you.
  • 11
5 votes
3 answers
3k views

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 ...
1 vote
1 answer
1k views

How to improve my aural? [duplicate]

This year, I'm taking the ABRSM piano test, Grade 5. Every year, I ALWAYS seem to have trouble with the aural. Everything else is fine, but it's always the aural part that lowers my grade. Is there ...
1 vote
3 answers
6k views

Can't read but can play good

It's been long ~ 10-15 years since i started playing/fiddling around over piano. Although it's been just 5 years that i am into staff notations reading thing. I have completed 2 grades with Trinity. ...
  • 61
1 vote
3 answers
291 views

practical exam ATCL ABRSM Diploma

I've finished the Performance certificate from Trinity College London, and now I would like to continue with the ATCL Diploma from ABRSM. Does it include any theory parts that I need to pass before I ...
1 vote
1 answer
259 views

In which language ABRSM exams are normally taken?

In which language ABRSM exams are taken in countries where the dominant language is not English? Swiss ABRSM page is all in English, but the dominant language in my Swiss region is German. Can I ...
  • 4,454
4 votes
2 answers
844 views

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 ...
  • 4,454
4 votes
2 answers
2k views

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 ...
  • 9,736
1 vote
1 answer
954 views

What does it mean to clap back the rhythm? (Grade 6 Piano Aural)

I have a grade 6 ABRSM piano exam in about 1 hour. What does clap back the rhythm mean? Is it a memorizing one or clapping the strong beat?
2 votes
1 answer
1k views

Grade 1 piano exam 2015/16

I can't find an answer to my two questions re ABRSM Grade 1 piano exam. I really hope someone more experience can help me here. Do I have to learn all forms of the minor scales required for the exam (...
  • 21
19 votes
6 answers
48k views

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 ...
user avatar
2 votes
4 answers
7k views

How difficult is it to play Beethoven's (Emperor) Piano Concerto No. 5?

At what ABRSM grade would it be sensible to attempt the piano component of this sublime piece of music?
3 votes
3 answers
5k views

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 ...
  • 229
3 votes
4 answers
7k views

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 ...
  • 141