Should There Be A Grade 9?, (and maybe 10 too?) Options

[spaceman]

There is supposed to be a huge gap between Grade 8 and Diploma level.
The failure rate for Diplomas is also much higher than for the Grade exams.
I was wondering whether it might make sense for the ABRSM to introduce one or more exams between Grade 8 and a Diploma.

Also, in "These Music Exams" Clara Taylor writes:

Some years ago a Distinction at Grade 8 indicated that the candidate might be a suitable applicant to one of the UK music colleges. This is no longer necessarily the case. The Associated Board standard has not changed but music colleges (with their reduced numbers of students and increased internationalism) have raised the level of entry well beyond Associated Board Grade 8 standard.

In this light, maybe there should be a new grade which would indicate that the "candidate might be a suitable applicant". i.e. it would work like Grade 8 used to. Since the audition requirements include playing from memory, presumably a "Grade 9" would also include playing from memory.

If the step from this new Grade 9 to Diploma is still large, maybe there could be a Grade 10 too?

Does anyone else think this might make sense?!

[sbhoa]

The time between grade 8 and diploma could be better used by building experience and repertoire and continuing on the exam treadmill could hinder this development.

Why shouldn't there be a gap between what are essentially amateur grade exams and professional diplomas?

[spaceman]

What about the idea of having a "non-professional" level Grade which would correspond to entry level to a music conservatory/conservatoire? Or maybe Grade 8 should just be made harder?!

[Amber]

Initially I thought, oh yes, why not a Grade 9 and 10. But then Sbhoa's comment about rep building and gaining experience made me think differently.

Maybe there's a market for more Workshops to help build bridge the gap between 8 and Diploma levels?

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Amber
x

[fsharpminor]

I really dont think theres too much of a gap between Grade 8 and Dip level, though for some instruments , notably the piano, the pieces being set for Grade 8 do seem to be getting less demanding. Also a complete Sonata used to be required.
However Organ Grade 8 pieces are harder than when I did Grade 8, but that was in 1964.

[jacobvaneyck]

I often wonder if they should consider re-instating the advanced certificate, making it more grade 9 or 10 standard wise but run as a diploma exam, rather like the Trinity Performer's Certificate. I agree with sbhoa about building repertoire, but this might help rather than hinder. Also there are many people who want to be assessed higher than grade 8 but simply will not do the diploma.

I dread to think what sort of scale and aural requirements could be given for grade 9 or 10, seeing grade 8 as it is. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)

[Oddball]

Perhaps grade 9 could be free of scale, aural and sight-reading requirements!! Now, that would be my kind of exam...

[nicki_flute]

You mean more like a recital, Andy?

I get what people are saying, but there has to be a cut off point between an amatear qualification and a professional qualification somewhere.

[barry-clari]

To be honest, I don't think a grade 9 is really needed. I do think the building up of repertoire is a much better way of spending time between grade 8 and higher qualifications, and to that end, I agree with sbhoa's comments above. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[mattrattley]

"Grade 9" gives the wrong idea - it makes it sound like an extension of the lower grades, and that's the wrong mentality for those wanting to study music as a career.

BUT i think i would be good to have some way of showing on paper at least that you are better than the mass of got-grade-8-but-haven't-done-diploma people. grade 9 sounds too much like "i got this mark so i'm this good, look at me go" instead of "i've played this, had experience with this and this is how i play".

i think an exam of any sort is the wrong way to go - the "real world" isn't an exam, so why should your progress be measured by them? as "amateur qualifications" they're very useful but at professional level they don't guage someone's talent or ability as well. i think offering more real world experiences for "in-betweenies" would be far more productive and you'd get a better generation of musicians for it.

[piello]

Being only grade 5 (going to 6) i don't know if i'm qualified to take part in this (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ph34r.gif) but anyway, thought i'd share my view.
totally agree on the aural and scales front; they'd have to start making new scales up to accommodate. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ohmy.gif) Yet in some ways i think that a G9/10 might be good seeing as it would give more to strive for. However i think that having a gap between G8 and Diploma is the right thing to have; otherwise you'd have many more people going in for Diploma - and passing - they'd be used to it, have built up to it gradually. A Dip. is more something to show professionalism and not just standard, amateur skill (do not take that that i'm saying G8 is easy and unskillful at all, though; i'm not! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) )

I think that G9/10 would, be good as a thought, but once you think about it, i think things are good as they are. i guess that music's going the same way as GCSEs, though, some would say;getting easier..??!! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ph34r.gif)

[crazy cow]

I'm not sure what to think about this one.
I love working towards exams (i.e. learning the pieces to a decent standard) but I hate the last week or so (i.e. trying to learn the rest of it!). Nice as the repertoire lists are, there is still so much music out there, and I was surprised to find how short all my grade 7 pieces are - one is only 1 1/2 mins! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ohmy.gif)
I think that Diploma should be kept with a gap as it is such a different exam. The earlier grades are all the same layout and the standard rises gradually. Diplomas should be separate because the layout is different and the standard is much higher - they should be a challenge to take, not just a 'oh well I've done grade 10, lets move on to the next one'. I think it is good that they force people to improve their techniques and broaden their experience before they take them, otherwise what would be the point in having them just as a sheet of paper? Exams shouldn't be the be-all and end-all of music.

[miss_tickle_thea]

Perhaps grade 9 could be free of scale, aural and sight-reading requirements!! Now, that would be my kind of exam...

Mine too! THings could never get any harder...

[mrbouffant]

Having used DipABRSM already (and thereby avoiding the slightly humorous ARSM), perhaps CertABRSM might be appropriate...

[Melody Amour]

Please leave it as it is. I think it is right that there is a big gap between g8 and diploma and that there is so much repertoire to learn after g8 as well as improvement of technique, etc.