All About ABRSM Grades & Support

[metz]

phtthp:

he must be a musical child prodigy.

You mean the kid who passed grade 5 theory with distinction at 7 year old? Maybe? Read that the kid started from scratch, spent 6-7 months on preparation. The mother wrote it was the worst period in their musical journey and wouldn't allow the kid to do that way if she had to decide again. Her exact words -

Looking back, I think it was the worst period in my dd's musical journey - she didn't enjoy it at all with all the writing, transposing etc. The teacher was persuasive and always convinced us she could do it. She may have passed but she paid the price - she doesn't recall most of what was taught for the exam. Was it worth it? I think not.

[Dreamaurora]

chamonix:

phtthp:

he must be a musical child prodigy.

You mean the kid who passed grade 5 theory with distinction at 7 year old? Maybe? Read that the kid started from scratch, spent 6-7 months on preparation. The mother wrote it was the worst period in their musical journey and wouldn't allow the kid to do that way if she had to decide again. Her exact words -

Looking back, I think it was the worst period in my dd's musical journey - she didn't enjoy it at all with all the writing, transposing etc. The teacher was persuasive and always convinced us she could do it. She may have passed but she paid the price - she doesn't recall most of what was taught for the exam. Was it worth it? I think not.

While we are on this topic, I would like to say that as a teacher I refrain from using superficial words such as 'talented', 'prodigy', etc on students. These words are very ambiguous and what one person considers 'talented' could mean 'totally crap' for another person.

Instead I prefers to be honest with students about their strengths and weaknesses. There is no such thing such as a perfect or ideal student, especially when it comes to performing art. For example a student may be blessed with extremely good hand eye coordination that allows his to play complex piano etudes with ease, but cannot sight read to save his life. A student may learn the notes for the music very fast, but may have big issue with stage fright.

So as a piano teacher we need to make the students realise that to enjoy learning music, first they have to accept that all of them have strengths and weaknesses. And second, that they don't tie their self-esteem to people's opinions. So what if people say you are not talented? Stop learning piano immediately?

This is quite hard to express. Hopefully my view on this is clear.

[dasalo]

Dreamaurora:

While we are on this topic, I would like to say that as a teacher I refrain from using superficial words such as 'talented', 'prodigy', etc on students. These words are very ambiguous and what one person considers 'talented' could mean 'totally crap' for another person.

Very true. 6 yrs /grade 5 distinctions is possible. Know afew in SYT many years back.

[ciaobella]

Pls advise if Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM) is a common exam body for piano. Which exam body is more recognized?

[jce]

Yes, it is one of the oldest and internationally recognised around

[ciaobella]

Thanks jce.

Do we skip grade or must take exam for every grade?

[jce]

That’s up to the teacher to decide. You may skip, not compulsory to take every grade. A grade 8 is needed to proceed to the diplomas. A grade 5 THEORY is needed to proceed to grade 6-8 practical.

[ciaobella]

Thanks, jce

[Dreamaurora]

ciaobella:

Pls advise if Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM) is a common exam body for piano. Which exam body is more recognized?

For graded exams, it really does not matter. Normally I encourage students to take the exams that have the nicest pieces Any of the grade 8s by ABRSM, LCM or Trinity are considered as equals when it comes to being considered as prerequisites for any of the professional diplomas.

That being said, for diploma exams, ABRSM is widely considered as the most recognised ones, followed by LCM ones. Note that I say recognised, not the most popular. In fact Trinity diplomas seem to be rather popular nowadays because Trinity has completely removed the requirements of viva voce and quick study from their performance diplomas.

[phankao]

Dreamaurora:

In fact Trinity diplomas seem to be rather popular nowadays because Trinity has completely removed the requirements of viva voce and quick study from their performance diplomas.

And no prerequisites !