<![CDATA[Music Graded Exams]]>ABRSm or Trinity Guildhall? Which one is better?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/topic/8320/music-graded-examsRSS for NodeSun, 26 Apr 2026 19:01:47 GMTSun, 17 Jan 2010 15:15:16 GMT60<![CDATA[Reply to Music Graded Exams on Tue, 21 Sep 2010 04:32:54 GMT]]>Speaking from my experience as a teacher in one of those budget schools, there are/were good music teachers teaching there. One of my ex-colleagues was from Yong Siew Toh Conservatory. Another was from Taiwan renowned collage. They had since moved on.


Those teachers were very demanding and spend a great deal of time doing drills and technical staff to build up their beginners’ foundation. For 2 years, I heard only a few notes drawn from his students’ bow. The Taiwanese graduate sometimes spend the entire lesson doing nothing but Hanon and scales. Many students quitted out of boredom. A number of parents also withdrew or transferred their kids over disagreement on the children’s readiness for exams. IMO, when parents demanded instant results, progress ironically slowed down.

Budget schools make profit by charging below market price. Since they have to pay below market rate, they cannot be too selective about whom they hire.

From what I gathered, at least in Southern Queensland, Australia, many teachers do not teach ABRSM. They are not familiar with the syllabus. There are also very limited books on it. Nearly all teachers do AMEB or AMusA. A Japanese teacher there does Trinity, I think because it’ recognized in Japan (meaning could be lost if I misunderstood her). She is not familiar with ABRSM.

I suspect ABRSM is popular in other commonwealth nations. Australia, Canada and America have their own exams boards. Europeans and East Asia are more concern about how well and what a student could play, rather then where the certificates are from, unless we are talking about degrees from conservatories.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/263155https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/263155Tue, 21 Sep 2010 04:32:54 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Music Graded Exams on Wed, 23 Jun 2010 04:35:01 GMT]]>

jce:
I don't buy to the thinking that beginners don't need to be taught by well qualified teachers. Actually on the contrary, they NEED to be taught by a good qualified teacher cos the foundation is being built. But then again, a teacher with all the paper qualifications doesn't equal to a good teacher.


Good point, I strongly believe in that too.
My dd is into her 4th teacher 😉

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/207932https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/207932Wed, 23 Jun 2010 04:35:01 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Music Graded Exams on Tue, 22 Jun 2010 11:16:26 GMT]]>No, those with min certification will teach the beginners and grades 1-5, but even then… I’m not saying ALL Yamaha/Cristofori or even other smaller music schools don’t have good teachers, actually, I know of a few who ARE good teachers despite not having ALL the certs, but I just think music schools should really be more stringent with their selection of teachers.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/207568https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/207568Tue, 22 Jun 2010 11:16:26 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Music Graded Exams on Mon, 21 Jun 2010 16:39:18 GMT]]>For me, as a parent, I will want a teacher with all the paper qualifications first, then communications. Look, I’m paying almost $0.80 a minute for now and more later, I simply cannot afford to build rupport or adjusting my kids’ timetable to suit the teacher only to find out months later that the teacher is not suitable. Most teachers nowsaday do not conduct yearly recital/s. Other than the yearly grading exam, there is really not many other platforms for parents (especiously ppl like me with no music background) to gauge the progress. If the teacher is not qualified ‘enough’, you can imagine what our children is getting.


Communications is a two way traffic. I have been wanting to build a relationship with my kids’ piano teacher but 1 1/2 year now, we only know her by her first name. Casual talk on children progress is charged during the lesson time, she can cut short the theory lesson and still leave on the dot. Communications after lesson is always in a rush even though it is 9pm.

Well, I think mine is still not too bad given that my children like her. I have heard some teachers charged a handling fees for registering grading exam. I can only say "Cold Professional".

Sorry… I think I’m out of topic now.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/207228https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/207228Mon, 21 Jun 2010 16:39:18 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Music Graded Exams on Mon, 21 Jun 2010 14:01:19 GMT]]>

jce:
Phankao, there are so many out there who still think that holding a grade 8 cert = can teach. Look at Cristofori and Yamaha teachers, that's the qualification needed. I don't buy to the thinking that beginners don't need to be taught by well qualified teachers. Actually on the contrary, they NEED to be taught by a good qualified teacher cos the foundation is being built. But then again, a teacher with all the paper qualifications doesn't equal to a good teacher.

maybe for the beginners, i guess. Do those at Cristofori/yamaha with grade 8 only certs teachers teach grade 7, 8, and diploma students? Scary.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/207172https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/207172Mon, 21 Jun 2010 14:01:19 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Music Graded Exams on Mon, 21 Jun 2010 11:44:18 GMT]]>

jce:
Phankao, there are so many out there who still think that holding a grade 8 cert = can teach. Look at Cristofori and Yamaha teachers, that's the qualification needed. I don't buy to the thinking that beginners don't need to be taught by well qualified teachers. Actually on the contrary, they NEED to be taught by a good qualified teacher cos the foundation is being built. But then again, a teacher with all the paper qualifications doesn't equal to a good teacher.



Jce, agree on \"a teacher with all the paper qualifications doesn't equal to a good teacher\". Apart of qualification, communication with students & patient also needed. 😄

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/207138https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/207138Mon, 21 Jun 2010 11:44:18 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Music Graded Exams on Mon, 21 Jun 2010 09:05:00 GMT]]>Phankao, there are so many out there who still think that holding a grade 8 cert = can teach. Look at Cristofori and Yamaha teachers, that’s the qualification needed. I don’t buy to the thinking that beginners don’t need to be taught by well qualified teachers. Actually on the contrary, they NEED to be taught by a good qualified teacher cos the foundation is being built. But then again, a teacher with all the paper qualifications doesn’t equal to a good teacher.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/207088https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/207088Mon, 21 Jun 2010 09:05:00 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Music Graded Exams on Thu, 17 Jun 2010 00:14:48 GMT]]>

Devnahouse:
The piano teacher who commented Trinity is easier to pass actually got herself Dip Performance from Trinity. I got the answer because I was asking the diff between the two. I have no music background but since I heard it from 2 piano teachers, I would prefer my children to go for ABRSM.


There is Bs Music(Perf) as well. Is it even tougher than Dip(Perf)? Piano teacher who has Bsc Music, is it more qualified?
Trinity is only easier (ATCL?) for the Dip. Bc they can just do a recital and be done with it. For DipABRSM, they have other sections to work on like aural and others, I think? There's also LTCL (Licentiate - the highest diploma usually), same as LRSM, which is the 3rd diploma for ABRSM.

A person with a Bachelor or Masters would definitely be more qualified and have had a more rounded education in music bc they took music as a university degree and would have done a broad curriculum besides just practical.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/205106https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/205106Thu, 17 Jun 2010 00:14:48 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Music Graded Exams on Wed, 16 Jun 2010 15:23:48 GMT]]>The piano teacher who commented Trinity is easier to pass actually got herself Dip Performance from Trinity. I got the answer because I was asking the diff between the two. I have no music background but since I heard it from 2 piano teachers, I would prefer my children to go for ABRSM.


There is Bs Music(Perf) as well. Is it even tougher than Dip(Perf)? Piano teacher who has Bsc Music, is it more qualified?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/205063https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/205063Wed, 16 Jun 2010 15:23:48 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Music Graded Exams on Wed, 16 Jun 2010 13:59:45 GMT]]>

Devnahouse:
One piano teacher personally told me Trinity is easier to pass. The other piano teacher I talked to told me ABRSM carries more weigh.

It's not difficult to PASS any music exams. It is more difficult to get distinctions.

Anyway, jce - how can we as parents even feel comforted if the teacher does not even hold a diploma? Esp now that I see how having a grade 8 is just so much more common, so certainly a teacher can and would have gone through training and exams that are more than what the usual \"layperson\" would have done.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/205032https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/205032Wed, 16 Jun 2010 13:59:45 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Music Graded Exams on Wed, 16 Jun 2010 13:04:04 GMT]]>One piano teacher personally told me Trinity is easier to pass. The other piano teacher I talked to told me ABRSM carries more weigh.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/205004https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/205004Wed, 16 Jun 2010 13:04:04 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Music Graded Exams on Mon, 22 Feb 2010 02:28:51 GMT]]>I looked through and analysize the pieces for Trinity and ABRSM. They are of similar standards and require similar technical skills at different levels. Trinity tends to have more interesting pieces to choose from. Exam dates is another concern for some parents as ABRSM exam is held in the midst of school term, where Trinity is usually during holiday period. Registration for Trinity takes place usually around 3-4 months before exam, but ABRSM takes place around 5-6 months before exam.


Hope this helps.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/127724https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/127724Mon, 22 Feb 2010 02:28:51 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Music Graded Exams on Sun, 07 Feb 2010 23:24:36 GMT]]>I think the most challenging part as a parent is to make sure the kids do their practice every day, get thru all these graded exams, encorage them along the way and let them enjoy the music !

😄

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/120686https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/120686Sun, 07 Feb 2010 23:24:36 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Music Graded Exams on Sat, 06 Feb 2010 15:32:01 GMT]]>Titank, I don’t think it REALLY matters whether they have Trinity or ABRSM cert…what should be priority is whether the teacher works well with the kid, teaching methods, the goal (to be inline with yours), responsible, ethical.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/120237https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/120237Sat, 06 Feb 2010 15:32:01 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Music Graded Exams on Sat, 06 Feb 2010 15:27:28 GMT]]>ABRSM and Trinity/Guildhall both have their qualities, and both are equally recognised nowadays. Of course ABRSM has been around longer than Trinity/Guildhall. As to the standard, well to be really frank, ABRSM (at higher levels) are more difficult to get through.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/120232https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/120232Sat, 06 Feb 2010 15:27:28 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Music Graded Exams on Sat, 06 Feb 2010 15:12:04 GMT]]>Most teachers should know how to prepare your kids for any of the exam that you wish to take. Mine did.

Many kids had took AB, then switch to Trinity at higher level. I mean diploma.
Hope these can help.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/120214https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/120214Sat, 06 Feb 2010 15:12:04 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Music Graded Exams on Sat, 06 Feb 2010 11:13:32 GMT]]>

luckystar:
I really don know why one is more recognised than another ? I knew sota take in kids with trinity and AB, they have no problem with it, even the music teacher also come from these two, no worry !
So when we selectd piano teacher we sld look whether they hv which one?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/120109https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/120109Sat, 06 Feb 2010 11:13:32 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Music Graded Exams on Sat, 06 Feb 2010 11:03:45 GMT]]>I really don know why one is more recognised than another ? I knew sota take in kids with trinity and AB, they have no problem with it, even the music teacher also come from these two, no worry !

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/120101https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/120101Sat, 06 Feb 2010 11:03:45 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Music Graded Exams on Fri, 05 Feb 2010 05:07:28 GMT]]>I’ve heard from my child’s violin teacher that the ABRSM is more recognised and is of a higher standard.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/119275https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/119275Fri, 05 Feb 2010 05:07:28 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Music Graded Exams on Fri, 05 Feb 2010 01:42:27 GMT]]>Thank you for all the replies.


Heard that some teachers prefer Trinity Guildhall because the students do not need theory till gr8 practical? And the exams time is in June and Dec. Some students also switch from both and choose one exam board at Gr8. I think this is only for fast track students. I wonder what is the purpose of this.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/119089https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/119089Fri, 05 Feb 2010 01:42:27 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Music Graded Exams on Mon, 18 Jan 2010 15:16:04 GMT]]>"Better" in terms of standard? The graded 1-8, I think, personally, both are pretty much en par. However I have to say the examiners from ABRSM do generally tend to expect more from the candidates, but then again, really depends on who the examiner is…But one can see the difference when you look at the Diploma syllabus. The ABRSM diploma syllabus and expectation is higher than the Trinity-Guildhall.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/109520https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/109520Mon, 18 Jan 2010 15:16:04 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Music Graded Exams on Mon, 18 Jan 2010 14:28:14 GMT]]>both are equally recognise, locally as well as overseas, but it seems like the local prefer ABRSM since its more widely used.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/109483https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/109483Mon, 18 Jan 2010 14:28:14 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Music Graded Exams on Mon, 18 Jan 2010 00:01:01 GMT]]>Many Singaporeans think ABRSM is better,actually both are equally rated oversea.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/109014https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/109014Mon, 18 Jan 2010 00:01:01 GMT