ABRSM Theory "R" paper? Options

[DrBob]

Hello again,

Does anyone know where to find an "R" paper? In of the past/current papers there is an A.B.C and S (supplementary) section. So, where does the "R" fit in.

The question goes back to my previous plea for help. Having got the Grade 5 2002 paper in braille from the RNIB, I now find it is the "R" paper ...

So, this is perhaps the longest shot of all ...

Does anyone have an old copy of the Grade 5 2002 "R" paper? Doesn't matter if it's been scribbled or what, just need it as a reference to the braille version.

Many thanks in advance (TIA)

Rob

[jm-hamilton]

I've never heard of a 'R' paper - maybe this is the letter they give to the Braille version? If it is it may be a completely different paper to the 2002 non-Braille one. Not very helpful I know but the only thing I can think of.

[Little Elf]

I haven't heard of an "R" paper... but there was mention of a "T" paper here a good few months ago from an international candidate when their exam was delayed. They couldn't give the normal international "S" paper because people had already taken it (in other cities/countries). Perhaps this is the same sort of thing for your "R" paper - if so then I think the chances of finding it are remarkably slim unless you contact the board directly.

[DrBob]

I've never heard of a 'R' paper - maybe this is the letter they give to the Braille version? If it is it may be a completely different paper to the 2002 non-Braille one. Not very helpful I know but the only thing I can think of.

I don't think this is the case. The braille versions are direct transcriptions of the standard papers, just that any music on staves etc is embossed in "braille music" format (which is not just a graphical version of what we see, but a whole new representation).

I have contacted the ABRSM, the RNIB and OUP directly - and none of these have any old archive copies of these papers - a little remiss really in that if anyone wishes to use these braille versions for teaching, the sighted teacher of course requires the actual papers from which the braille versions were made.

Hopefully we can make our own versions by cutting up old papers and processing them. The software which creates the braille music is very fussy about the format. Single staves, and even a bar line missing at end will throw it ... the written stuff is OK.

Certainly going to be a challenge.

Thanks so far everyone,

Rob

PS So is my daughter the ONLY one in the country teaching a blind student music theory at this grade?

[Seer_Green]

You've started quite a few threads on this topic - I'm not sure anyone knows the answer, so your best bet is probably to e-mail or ring the Board directly.

[Halka]

Does this help?

http://www.abrsm.org/en/exams/specialNeeds...ghtReading.html

PS This suggests that the letter "R" may be associated with an aural repetition test for blind candidates, rather than with a theory paper.

[katyjay]

DrBob, like a lot of people I've been going through my past papers collection but don't unfortunately have the paper you're referring to.

I'm wondering if, having drawn a blank, it's time to start on a plan B?

I note that you (or your daughter) are planning to take some regular papers and transcribe them, as a teaching tool, and presumably there's a fair supply of ordinary braille music in all sorts of genres that can be used for teaching theory even if there aren't examples of the actual questions. These surely can help with theory learning even if you don't have the ideal of the paper you want.

The other thing to ask is, does it HAVE to be the theory route, if it's proving such an administrative nightmare?

Might it be worth looking at one of the alternatives to grade 5 theory - in particular, grade 5 Practical Musicianship which I would have thought might be a good option for someone with limited sight?

[gwyntdi-enw]

I think I have the answer!

The Grade 5 Supplementary Papers for 2002 and 2003 were printed in one booklet, which I bought in about 2006 or 2007. There are two papers for each year, one with a suffix of R and one with a suffix of T. No idea whether the R and T mean anything in particular.

I don't know if this booklet is still available to buy new.

I knew there was a good reason never to get rid of anything ...

[DrBob]

I think I have the answer!

The Grade 5 Supplementary Papers for 2002 and 2003 were printed in one booklet, which I bought in about 2006 or 2007. There are two papers for each year, one with a suffix of R and one with a suffix of T. No idea whether the R and T mean anything in particular.

I don't know if this booklet is still available to buy new.

I knew there was a good reason never to get rid of anything ...

Aha, now this makes sense. I would have expected the supp papers to be just that, and not have any internal designation. I will see if I can dig them out ... I have a feeling in my trawling, I saw some.

Many many thanks,

Rob

You've started quite a few threads on this topic - I'm not sure anyone knows the answer, so your best bet is probably to e-mail or ring the Board directly.

Hi, yes I have started a few threads. Sorry about that, but I was trying to "reach" the right audience, if you see what I mean.

Have talked to the Board, their publisher OUP and also their various music "outlets" and drawn a blank with all of them. To be fair, they have been very helpful, but it just seems that no-one has been down the route for some time, hence the lack of more modern transcriptions.

Thanks for taking the time to reply.

Rob

DrBob, like a lot of people I've been going through my past papers collection but don't unfortunately have the paper you're referring to.

I'm wondering if, having drawn a blank, it's time to start on a plan B?

I note that you (or your daughter) are planning to take some regular papers and transcribe them, as a teaching tool, and presumably there's a fair supply of ordinary braille music in all sorts of genres that can be used for teaching theory even if there aren't examples of the actual questions. These surely can help with theory learning even if you don't have the ideal of the paper you want.

The other thing to ask is, does it HAVE to be the theory route, if it's proving such an administrative nightmare?

Might it be worth looking at one of the alternatives to grade 5 theory - in particular, grade 5 Practical Musicianship which I would have thought might be a good option for someone with limited sight?

Hi, thanks for this.

The student has never had any sight, so this is all a huge challenge, but very fulfilling and definitely "worth it".

Not a huge supply of braille music, but we are able to make our own. So, often it's a case of transcribing score into a music program to get a good clean print and stave separation.

We have thought of the other routes, even (dare I say), an alternative Board :-( , but the student does wish to have ABRSM 5 Theory as part of their GCSE level portfolio, and also wishes to move onto practical grades 6,7,8 - with a view to eventually using these skills/qualifications as part of their working life in the not too distant future.

So, at the moment, we are all trying to make this happen, and I am sure we can overcome the problems, just it's going to take a little longer to get moving. But then, there's a lot more teaching and learning to do from Grade 5 upwards to Grade 8 :-)

Thanks once again everyone, and I'm off to find these supp papers.

[DrBob]

Just a quick note to let everyone know that ABRSM have come up trumps and found what I need.

Many thanks to everyone, and your patience(!!!)

A big big thank you to the ABRSM too!

Brilliant.

Regards

Rob

[katyjay]

That's great news.

Best of luck to your daughter and her pupil in working towards this goal.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[ABRSM Access Coordinator]

Just a quick note to let everyone know that ABRSM have come up trumps and found what I need.

Many thanks to everyone, and your patience(!!!)

A big big thank you to the ABRSM too!

Brilliant.

Regards

Rob

Dear Rob,

I am pleased to hear that we have been able to supply you with a copy of the paper you require. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact our Access Co-ordinator directly on 020 7467 8247 or by email: accesscoordinator@abrsm.ac.uk

I hope the exam preparations are now a lot easier!