Regulation and UCAS points (UK) ABRSM graded music exams, Music Medals and diplomas are regulated in England by the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual) and the corresponding regulatory authorities in Wales (Qualifications Wales) and Northern Ireland (CCEA Regulation). They are part of the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) in England and Northern Ireland. In the UK, ABRSM’s Grade 6–8 exams can contribute towards entry into higher education through the allocation of UCAS points. For further information, see www.abrsm.org/regulation.
Technical Specifications :-
SCALES
G, F majors
both starting an octave above lowest tonic
A, E minors (natural or harmonic, at candidate’s choice)
ARPEGGIOS
G major starting an octave above lowest tonicE minor starting an octave above lowest tonic
1 oct.
fingers only; tirando or apoyando, at candidate’s choice;long tonic
thumb only; tirando
tirando
Candidates will be asked to play a short unaccompanied piece of music which they have notpreviously seen. They will be given half a minute in which to look though and, if they wish, tryout all or any part of the test before they are required to play it for assessment. The table onp. 12 shows the introduction of elements at each grade. Please note that these parameters arepresented cumulatively, i.e. once introduced they apply for all subsequent grades (albeit withina logical progression of difficulty).
Aural Tests GRADE 1
A To clap the pulse of a piece played by the examiner, and to identify whether it is in two time orthree time. The examiner will start playing the passage, and the candidate should join in as soonas possible, clapping in time and giving a louder clap on the strong beats. The examiner will thenask whether the music is in two time or three time. The candidate is not required to state the timesignature.
B To sing as ‘echoes’ three phrases played by the examiner. The phrases will be two bars long, in amajor key, and within the range of tonic–mediant. First the examiner will play the key-chord andthe starting note (the tonic) and then count in two bars. After the examiner has played each phrase,the candidate should sing back the echo without a pause, keeping in time.
C To identify where a change in pitch occurs during a phrase played by the examiner. The phrasewill be two bars long, in a major key, and the change will affect only one of the notes. First the examinerwill play the key-chord and the tonic and then count in two bars. The examiner will play the phrasetwice, making the change in the second playing, after which the candidate should state whether thechange was near the beginning or near the end. If necessary, the examiner will play both versionsof the phrase again (although this may affect the assessment).
D To answer questions about two features of a piece played by the examiner. Before playing, theexaminer will tell the candidate which two features the questions will be about. The first will be:dynamics (loud/quiet, or sudden/gradual changes); the second will be articulation (smooth/detached).