If you have recently taken up a musical instrument your teacher may have mentioned taking music exams. These music exams are referred to as grades. Many students find learning grades advantageous because it gives them a structured approach to learning of their instrument.
So let's have a look at how you go about taking a music grade. To begin with there are several exam bodies that offer these grades. The London College of Music is just one example. There is also Trinity College London. But most people take their music exams through the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music. This is also known as the ABSRM. This examination board is particularly popular because it offers the largest selection of instruments to take exams in.
You can take more than just a practical exam in the instrument you are learning. The ABSRM also offers jazz exams, theory exams and exams in practical musicianship. Nevertheless most people want to take grades in their chosen instrument. These exams will start at grade one. Grade eight is the top grade that you can achieve.
Here is an in depth guide as to what happens during these practical music exams. To start with every exam is broken down into four different sections. The section that carries the most marks is the set pieces section. Every student will choose three set pieces to play during the exam. They will have selected at these pieces from the course syllabus of their chosen instrument. They should have practiced these pieces thoroughly before the exam. But the student is allowed to bring in the sheet music with them. Each set piece is scored out of 30. The student must score at least 20 marks on each set piece to pass this section.
The scales and arpeggios section is much less daunting than by comparison. This tests how well the student can play the scale from memory. The examiner will request a number of scales or arpeggios and the student must play them back to him. This section carries a total of 21 marks. The student must get at least 14 to pass.
The next section is slightly trickier. It is called the aural test. This is all to do with listening comprehension. The examiner will play a piece of music on the instrument. Then the he will ask the student a series of questions about it. Sometimes the student will be required to clap or sing their answer. They must score at least 12 out of 18 to pass the aural section.
Finally we come to the sight reading section. Many students find this section particularly scary. This is because it requires them to play from a piece of sheet music that they have never seen before. This is called playing blind. They are given 30 seconds time to prepare for their performance. During this time they are encouraged to practice. The minimum score to pass the sight-reading is 14 out of 21.
All in all the student must get at least hundred marks out of 150 to be awarded their music grade. If they manage to score over 120 they will be awarded a pass with merit. If they are so good that they score 130 marks or more they will be awarded a pass with distinction. This is particularly hard to achieve.
So let's have a look at how you go about taking a music grade. To begin with there are several exam bodies that offer these grades. The London College of Music is just one example. There is also Trinity College London. But most people take their music exams through the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music. This is also known as the ABSRM. This examination board is particularly popular because it offers the largest selection of instruments to take exams in.
You can take more than just a practical exam in the instrument you are learning. The ABSRM also offers jazz exams, theory exams and exams in practical musicianship. Nevertheless most people want to take grades in their chosen instrument. These exams will start at grade one. Grade eight is the top grade that you can achieve.
Here is an in depth guide as to what happens during these practical music exams. To start with every exam is broken down into four different sections. The section that carries the most marks is the set pieces section. Every student will choose three set pieces to play during the exam. They will have selected at these pieces from the course syllabus of their chosen instrument. They should have practiced these pieces thoroughly before the exam. But the student is allowed to bring in the sheet music with them. Each set piece is scored out of 30. The student must score at least 20 marks on each set piece to pass this section.
The scales and arpeggios section is much less daunting than by comparison. This tests how well the student can play the scale from memory. The examiner will request a number of scales or arpeggios and the student must play them back to him. This section carries a total of 21 marks. The student must get at least 14 to pass.
The next section is slightly trickier. It is called the aural test. This is all to do with listening comprehension. The examiner will play a piece of music on the instrument. Then the he will ask the student a series of questions about it. Sometimes the student will be required to clap or sing their answer. They must score at least 12 out of 18 to pass the aural section.
Finally we come to the sight reading section. Many students find this section particularly scary. This is because it requires them to play from a piece of sheet music that they have never seen before. This is called playing blind. They are given 30 seconds time to prepare for their performance. During this time they are encouraged to practice. The minimum score to pass the sight-reading is 14 out of 21.
All in all the student must get at least hundred marks out of 150 to be awarded their music grade. If they manage to score over 120 they will be awarded a pass with merit. If they are so good that they score 130 marks or more they will be awarded a pass with distinction. This is particularly hard to achieve.
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