All About ABRSM Grades & Support

[KKKS]

sunflower:

KKKS:

The music bookshop in Swee Lee had been closed probably 1 - 2 years ago. They used to have a beautiful limited edition Baldwin grand piano on display with the keys in reverse black and white. I could remember that piano cost a bomb!

Oh! So Swee Lee used to sell books IN their music shop? It's a pity they close that section.

Yes, it's a pity the shop was closed. Their price was reasonable.

[sunflower]

KKKS:

sunflower:

[quote=\"KKKS\"]The music bookshop in Swee Lee had been closed probably 1 - 2 years ago. They used to have a beautiful limited edition Baldwin grand piano on display with the keys in reverse black and white. I could remember that piano cost a bomb!

Oh! So Swee Lee used to sell books IN their music shop? It's a pity they close that section.

Yes, it's a pity the shop was closed. Their price was reasonable.[/quote]You mean the whole music shop moved out? Thought I saw the shop some time this year, could see some instruments being displayed. It’s quite difficult to find, tucked at some obscure corner on the 3rd level. Hmm, I think it’s beside Art Friend, right at the other end. You meant shop there but book section closed right? :?

[KKKS]

I am just wondering if any of the teachers in this forum is willing to give comments and advice on the students performance through the video clips when posted. This will not only help and benefit the students but also the parents who know very little about music, like myself.

[ngl2010]

KKKS:

sunflower:

[quote=\"KKKS\"]The music bookshop in Swee Lee had been closed probably 1 - 2 years ago. They used to have a beautiful limited edition Baldwin grand piano on display with the keys in reverse black and white. I could remember that piano cost a bomb!

Oh! So Swee Lee used to sell books IN their music shop? It's a pity they close that section.

Yes, it's a pity the shop was closed. Their price was reasonable.[/quote]Yes. Their price was really reasonable. I guess not many people know that there is a book shop inside their music shop

[Dreamaurora]

KKKS:

I am just wondering if any of the teachers in this forum is willing to give comments and advice on the students performance through the video clips when posted. This will not only help and benefit the students but also the parents who know very little about music, like myself.

I would not mind to do this, but there are a few things to consider when listening to comments from other teachers.

1. Music is subjective and a teacher's interpretation of a music can be different from others. The same thing applies to examiners as well. I still remembered the last time I played in this masterclass and immediately afterwards my own teacher came up to me and asked me to disregard whatever the masterclass' teacher said to me during the masterclass as it was in conflict with what he wanted.

2. The students may not be able to execute all the details. As a teacher, I need to be aware of my students' capabilities. Not all students will be able to achieve extremely high standard of playing and as such I have to adjust the levels of details according to the students' capabilities. If you get a comment online does not mean your child may be able to execute it.

[ngl2010]

Dreamaurora:

KKKS:

I am just wondering if any of the teachers in this forum is willing to give comments and advice on the students performance through the video clips when posted. This will not only help and benefit the students but also the parents who know very little about music, like myself.

I would not mind to do this, but there are a few things to consider when listening to comments from other teachers.

1. Music is subjective and a teacher's interpretation of a music can be different from others. The same thing applies to examiners as well. I still remembered the last time I played in this masterclass and immediately afterwards my own teacher came up to me and asked me to disregard whatever the masterclass' teacher said to me during the masterclass as it was in conflict with what he wanted.

2. The students may not be able to execute all the details. As a teacher, I need to be aware of my students' capabilities. Not all students will be able to achieve extremely high standard of playing and as such I have to adjust the levels of details according to the students' capabilities. If you get a comment online does not mean your child may be able to execute it.

Pardon my ignorance. I know interpretation can be different but how the examiner grade the student if the student does not play to his/her likings? Is there any benchmark to grade a student's performance?

Sometimes when I listen to pieces on Youtube, I cannot hear the phrasing well. I guess it depends on how it is recorded. I thought phrasing is important?

[Dreamaurora]

sunflower:

Sight-reading and improvisation are very important practical skills, which students could carry with them throughout life. With these skills, they’ll enjoy making music and playing the instrument more, than having to struggle to play the music fluently.

I think these skills should be trained concurrently with mastering the techniques for exam pieces. This will make a person a more rounded musician, be it for self-enjoyment, music appreciation or professionally.

I find that sight-reading is one thing that definitely cannot be neglected for most students. Even if there is no exam, I still insist on students preparing one or two exercises from Joining the Dots or Right at Sight every week. Sometimes I give them duets to read also. However it is possible to play at quite high level without good sight-reading. I actually know someone who passed FTCL but could not even sight read a grade 2 or 3 exam piece comfortably. He had a very good ear and learnt most of the notes by listening to CDs. But safe to say most of the students will not be able to do this. Having a strong sight reading skill will enable students to learn much faster at higher grades as students will be able to automate their learnings much more.

I think the issue here why so many people have negative opinions of exams is the way many teachers prepare the components. There are actually many fun ways to practice them rather than just following the books. For example for sight reading, like I have mentioned above, a simple duet can be prepared at home to be played together in lesson. For aural for example can learn to sing and play popular songs such as Happy Birthday in different keys. Using only the ABRSM's provided materials will make preparations of these components very dry and consequently take the joy out of preparing for exams.

[Dreamaurora]

ngl2010:

Dreamaurora:

[quote=\"KKKS\"]I am just wondering if any of the teachers in this forum is willing to give comments and advice on the students performance through the video clips when posted. This will not only help and benefit the students but also the parents who know very little about music, like myself.

I would not mind to do this, but there are a few things to consider when listening to comments from other teachers.

1. Music is subjective and a teacher's interpretation of a music can be different from others. The same thing applies to examiners as well. I still remembered the last time I played in this masterclass and immediately afterwards my own teacher came up to me and asked me to disregard whatever the masterclass' teacher said to me during the masterclass as it was in conflict with what he wanted.

2. The students may not be able to execute all the details. As a teacher, I need to be aware of my students' capabilities. Not all students will be able to achieve extremely high standard of playing and as such I have to adjust the levels of details according to the students' capabilities. If you get a comment online does not mean your child may be able to execute it.

Pardon my ignorance. I know interpretation can be different but how the examiner grade the student if the student does not play to his/her likings? Is there any benchmark to grade a student's performance?

Sometimes when I listen to pieces on Youtube, I cannot hear the phrasing well. I guess it depends on how it is recorded. I thought phrasing is important?[/quote]They have a set of guidelines to follow on marking. It can be found here

http://sg.abrsm.org/en/our-exams/information-and-regulations/exam-marking-criteria/

Unfortunately some things are still subjective and there are times examiners marked down my students just because they did not agree with some interpretation decisions my students made. For example, recently one of my students was marked down for playing the Bach C Major Prelude from grade 3 2011-2012 in a faster and more energetic way. The said examiner expected the Bach Prelude to be played slower and more lyrical. One of my other students who played it in that manner was marked more favorably.

Subtle dynamic changes is hard to capture on most recording devices unless you use more expensive dedicated solutions, so phrasing is often unclear when you see Youtube videos. It is also hard to achieve if the piano is regulated properly.

[Dreamaurora]

ngl2010:

Pardon my ignorance. I know interpretation can be different but how the examiner grade the student if the student does not play to his/her likings? Is there any benchmark to grade a student's performance?


Sometimes when I listen to pieces on Youtube, I cannot hear the phrasing well. I guess it depends on how it is recorded. I thought phrasing is important?

They have a set of guidelines to follow on marking. It can be found here

http://sg.abrsm.org/en/our-exams/information-and-regulations/exam-marking-criteria/

Unfortunately some things are still subjective and there are times examiners marked down my students just because they did not agree with some interpretation decisions my students made. For example, recently one of my students was marked down for playing the Bach C Major Prelude from grade 3 2011-2012 in a faster and more energetic way. The said examiner expected the Bach Prelude to be played slower and more lyrical. One of my other students who played it in that manner was marked more favorably.

Subtle dynamic changes is hard to capture on most recording devices unless you use more expensive dedicated solutions, so phrasing is often unclear when you see Youtube videos. It is also hard to achieve if the piano is not regulated properly.[/quote]

[sunflower]

Dreamaurora:

sunflower:

Sight-reading and improvisation are very important practical skills, which students could carry with them throughout life. With these skills, they’ll enjoy making music and playing the instrument more, than having to struggle to play the music fluently.

I think these skills should be trained concurrently with mastering the techniques for exam pieces. This will make a person a more rounded musician, be it for self-enjoyment, music appreciation or professionally.

I find that sight-reading is one thing that definitely cannot be neglected for most students. Even if there is no exam, I still insist on students preparing one or two exercises from Joining the Dots or Right at Sight every week. Sometimes I give them duets to read also. However it is possible to play at quite high level without good sight-reading. I actually know someone who passed FTCL but could not even sight read a grade 2 or 3 exam piece comfortably. He had a very good ear and learnt most of the notes by listening to CDs. But safe to say most of the students will not be able to do this. Having a strong sight reading skill will enable students to learn much faster at higher grades as students will be able to automate their learnings much more.

I think the issue here why so many people have negative opinions of exams is the way many teachers prepare the components. There are actually many fun ways to practice them rather than just following the books. For example for sight reading, like I have mentioned above, a simple duet can be prepared at home to be played together in lesson. For aural for example can learn to sing and play popular songs such as Happy Birthday in different keys. Using only the ABRSM's provided materials will make preparations of these components very dry and consequently take the joy out of preparing for exams.

Yes, agree that there are people like that. Most likely either Suzuki trained, have perfect pitch or very good relative pitch. Some are born with very good ear and can play by ear very well. But for a normal average kid, having good sight-reading skills will not only shorten the time to learn new pieces, but will also enhance the student's musical experience, and make playing the instrument an enjoyment.