ABRSM Music Exams
The Associated Board Of the Royal Schools
Of Music is the leading
provider of music exams in the world. A range of exams have been
developed by the ABRSM who have over 100 years experience in
the field of music. The exams provide a goal or a target for
any student to work towards and act as a great motivator especially
when the student passes an exam. It also helps to increase practice
and learning especially when there is an exam on the horizon.
The exams are graded in 8 carefully leveled steps, 1 being the
first and 8 being the hardest or last one, although students
can carry on and do Diplomas afterwards. There is also a Prep
Test for those students who have been playing an instrument for
about 9 months. Success in the exam provides a real sense of
achievement. A certificate is awarded which can then be framed
and given its pride of place at home or at school.
The Prep Test covers 4 areas which include basic exercises, a
set piece or song, an own-choice piece or song, simple aural tests.
A certificate is then awarded with no pass or fail but positive
comments about the students ability and how they can improve.
The Grades go up from 1 to 8. They all include a section on Theory,
an Aural Test, Practical Musicianship and then a section specific
to the instrument they are playing. They take a lot of hard work
and practice especially when you take the higher grade exams which
means that there is a great feeling of achievement when one of these
exams is passed.
In
2004 another series of exams was set up which had been developed
over a few years. These are the Music Medals which are aimed at
instrumentalists at the very earliest stages of learning,and recognises
the achievement of group taught pupils. There are five progressive
levels of Medal assessment: Copper, Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum.The
Copper Medal is approachable for most pupils during their first
year of study, while each subsequent Medal has been positioned
broadly as an annual target.
Most of the exam structures are flexible and you can enter them
at a time which best suits you. If you want to find out more about
the exams, their syllabus, how to prepare, how to enter, and read
up on the advice for parents visit the website of the The
Associated Board Of the Royal Schools Of Music.
For more details about Piano tutors in the UK visit our section on Music Tuition
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