Working with your amanuensis
Using an amanuensis requires both the candidate and amanuensis to give careful consideration to communication. The guidance below, together with the sound recording, highlights the types of questions and issues that you should consider in preparation for your exam. Whilst the examples used are taken from Grade 1 and 5 Theory papers, the methods demonstrated can be applied across all grades. This recording demonstrates the most difficult example of using an amanuensis, where the candidate requires both a reader and a scribe. Please note that answers given are not always correct – it is the process of using an amanuensis in a theory exam that is being demonstrated.
Musical Examples
1. Add the Missing Bar-Lines
- For this question, well-prepared candidates would be aware that they do not need to know the pitch of the notes to work out the answer. In this case the candidate should ask the amanuensis to read out only the rhythm. The amanuensis will, as always, follow the candidate’s instructions, so unless instructed to single out a specific aspect of the example, they will read out all of it.