Whenever we pursue a musical instrument at school we will nearly always be driven to acquire "grades" of that instrument. By taking grades, you will be offered the chance to excel at the instrument you play. At the same time you can also acquire the music theory pertaining to it.
So who exactly sets these music exams? There are currently three examination boards that are allowed to award these exam grades and qualifications in music. Two of these are London College of Music and Trinity College London. However, the main and largest board is the ABSRM. The ABSRM stands for the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music. It is an examining board whose main function is to provide a structured way to grade music learning. This can help inspire musicians, but it also sets a benchmark for standards.
The ABRSM offers exams in theory, jazz and practical musicianship. However, the most common course is practical exams for your chosen instrument. These begin at grade one and continue up to grade eight for the very advanced.
Now let's have a look at what taking a practical exam actually entails. To begin with, there are four separate sections in every practical exam. The set pieces section requires the student to play three pieces of music that they have prepared in advance. The sheet music for these pieces must be chosen from the ABRSM course syllabus. The choices on offer get reviewed every two years. This section of the exam requires a pass mark of 20 out of 30.
The second component of the practical exam is referred to as scales and arpeggios. Here an examiner will ask for a particular type of scale or arpeggio and the student must play it from memory. This carries 21 marks with the pass level set at 14.
The third part of the exam is the aural test. This will measure the musical ear of the student. The examiner will often take over the playing of the instrument and then ask the student a set of questions. These will require the student to perform an action such as singing or clapping or a regular verbal response. They must score at least 12 out of 18 to pass the aural section.
Sight-reading is the last section of the music exam. Some would say this is the trickiest part as it requires the student to play a piece of music that they have never seen. The examiner will give them some sheet music and half a minute to prepare how they will play it. The highest mark you can get on the sight-reading section is twenty-one. You will need to score at least fourteen marks to pass this section.
A total of 100 marks out of 150 are needed to receive a music grade. If the student scores 120 then they are awarded a pass with merit. If they are talented enough to score a 130 then they receive a pass with distinction.
So who exactly sets these music exams? There are currently three examination boards that are allowed to award these exam grades and qualifications in music. Two of these are London College of Music and Trinity College London. However, the main and largest board is the ABSRM. The ABSRM stands for the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music. It is an examining board whose main function is to provide a structured way to grade music learning. This can help inspire musicians, but it also sets a benchmark for standards.
The ABRSM offers exams in theory, jazz and practical musicianship. However, the most common course is practical exams for your chosen instrument. These begin at grade one and continue up to grade eight for the very advanced.
Now let's have a look at what taking a practical exam actually entails. To begin with, there are four separate sections in every practical exam. The set pieces section requires the student to play three pieces of music that they have prepared in advance. The sheet music for these pieces must be chosen from the ABRSM course syllabus. The choices on offer get reviewed every two years. This section of the exam requires a pass mark of 20 out of 30.
The second component of the practical exam is referred to as scales and arpeggios. Here an examiner will ask for a particular type of scale or arpeggio and the student must play it from memory. This carries 21 marks with the pass level set at 14.
The third part of the exam is the aural test. This will measure the musical ear of the student. The examiner will often take over the playing of the instrument and then ask the student a set of questions. These will require the student to perform an action such as singing or clapping or a regular verbal response. They must score at least 12 out of 18 to pass the aural section.
Sight-reading is the last section of the music exam. Some would say this is the trickiest part as it requires the student to play a piece of music that they have never seen. The examiner will give them some sheet music and half a minute to prepare how they will play it. The highest mark you can get on the sight-reading section is twenty-one. You will need to score at least fourteen marks to pass this section.
A total of 100 marks out of 150 are needed to receive a music grade. If the student scores 120 then they are awarded a pass with merit. If they are talented enough to score a 130 then they receive a pass with distinction.
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