Practical exams are entered in the Autumn period of the year or the Spring period. We do not enter for Summer period exams due to school exams.
Each examination grade carries a level and weighting within the national Qualifications and Curriculum Framework and counts towards a given number of guided learning hours.
Therefore these exams will not only benefit your musical future, but for those still in the education system they count towards university and college courses.
The Facebook group for examination candidates can be found on this link https://www.facebook.com/groups/1438216412891049/
For those not on Facebook most posts will be duplicated here however not all conversation points will be.
Good luck with your exam & remember enjoy it :)
We will be entering for ABRSM and LCM examinations this Autumn. The fees are as follows
London College of Music Closing date: 08 October Exams: 18 November - 16 December
Fees Pre-preparatory £31.00 Step 1 £32.00 Step 2 £34.00 Grade 1 £40.00 Grade 2 £48.00 Grade 3 £53.00 Grade 4 £57.00 Grade 5 £61.00
ABRSM : Closing date: Friday 29 September Exams: 6 November - 9 December
Fees Prep Test £35.00 Grade 1 £39.00 Grade 2 £44.00 Grade 3 £50.00 Grade 4 £56.00 Grade 5 £60.00
All fees will be invoices the first week in September to be paid within 14 days.
If you would like to take an examination please ensure the admin team know before September 2017. However it must be said, we will not enter you unless we are sure you are going to pass. This means even if the work has been completed, if your standard is not at pass rate by the entry date you will not be entered. You have to do the practice and achieve a pass standard for the entry date.
When approaching an exams scales need to be practised carefully aiming for an even tone. In an exam room the examiners will generally comment on the sound rather than any technical skills. Any fluctuations in sound are often indicators of issues with technical skills. We can often focus so much on the technical side of scales the sound can be forgotten.
Playing all the scales everyday can be quite a chore for younger students, a methodical approach allows for even practice. The practice sheet opposite is for the London College of Music grade 1 syllabus. You can print out a copy from this link as many times as you require. Just fill in the date and the target speed on the metronome.
There are four target levels for scales
I can play all the Major scales* with the right notes.
I can play all the Major scales* with the right fingering.
I can play all the Major scales* with a good, even sound and at a steady tempo.
I can play all the Major scales* fluently and musically.
*Harmonic minor, Melodic minor, Arpeggios or Broken Chords
The minimum speed for the Grade 1
Scales. Crotchet = 69 (2 notes per beat)
Arpeggios. Quaver=100 (1 note per beat)
Broken chords. Quaver=100 (1 note per beat)
Use the metronome to help you achieve an even tempo but don't let you playing become to mechanical in its sound. The flowing nature of the scale is required for a pleasing sound.
Once you have all scales at an even speed that is above the minimum speed a ‘scale pot’ is very useful where you write out the name of every scale, broken chord, arpeggio etc and put these into a pot. Take one out of the pot and practice it until the pot is empty.
When using the practice pot vary the dynamics with each scale, you can play loud, soft, getting louder ascending and softer descending (then vice versa). Use as many different ways as possible to achieve a musical scale. Scale practice can be enjoyable when there are clear targets ahead.