Are Trinity And Associated Board Exams The Same Level? Options

[Claudia's Mum]

Just wondering whether the ABRSM and the Trinity exams are at exactly the same level for the same grade or whether there is a variance either in all grades or as you move up the grades?

Can they be used interchangeably?

[bobziekins]

Hmm, well my flute teacher told me that Trinity is supposedly harder, and that a grade 1 with Trinity is grade 2 at ABRSM. I.e. grade 5 with Trinity would be the same standard as grade 6 with ABRSM.

But personally, I think this is rubbish, and they're both the same.

It'll be interesting to see what everyone else thinks, because I'm not too clued up on these things.

[Appassionata]

They are equal in my opinion. They have to be of a similar level to be allocated the same UCAS points at Grade 6-8. They do play to the strengths of different individuals however, as their supporting tests are different and you have the option not to do scales with Trinity Guildhall. I did all three boards (before the merger) during my progression through the clarinet grades and the only reasons for doing grade 8 Guildhall were the piece choices and the opportunity to do initiative tests and not ABRSM aural! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)

[tuba_george]

Hmm, well my flute teacher told me that Trinity is supposedly harder, and that a grade 1 with Trinity is grade 2 at ABRSM. I.e. grade 5 with Trinity would be the same standard as grade 6 with ABRSM.

But personally, I think this is rubbish, and they're both the same.

It'll be interesting to see what everyone else thinks, because I'm not too clued up on these things.

Harder?! I always got the impression that trinity are easier.

I have never taken trinity but they are supposed to be the same level as AB, but even though the lists of pieces are of a similar standard (and often contain many of the same pieces) the supporting tests seem less demanding for trinity exams.

And is it just me or do an awful lot of people seem to get distinctions for TG compared to AB??

Either way, AB is generally more recognised than TG.

[madbassoonist]

Hmm, well my flute teacher told me that Trinity is supposedly harder, and that a grade 1 with Trinity is grade 2 at ABRSM. I.e. grade 5 with Trinity would be the same standard as grade 6 with ABRSM.

But personally, I think this is rubbish, and they're both the same.

It'll be interesting to see what everyone else thinks, because I'm not too clued up on these things.

Harder?! I always got the impression that trinity are easier.

...

Either way, AB is generally more recognised than TG.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) I have always taken AB exams on the piano, and when I was working on Grade 4, my teacher got me the TG grade 5 book, and I found those to be about the same level. Also, one of the pieces in that book (Kabalevsky - Sonatina) is now on the Grade 4 AB syllabus.

Certainly, all of the instrument teachers I've met use AB. I thought that those who used TG were quite a minority.

[PianoDoodler]

In my experience, TG demands more musical playing than do AB and give a bigger weighting to this aspect of playing.

I steer my less talented pupils towards AB. The rest I steer towards TG because of all the syllabus advantages their syllabus offers, and the recognition offered of their expressive performances.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[barry-clari]

I'd say six of one, half a dozen of the other.

Some people will be suited better by Trinity, others by AB. Big tick to Trinity for the variety of supporting tests, this I think makes the tests more accessible to more people. Not necessarily 'easier', but certainly more accessible. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[andante_in_c]

I'd say six of one, half a dozen of the other.

Some people will be suited better by Trinity, others by AB. Big tick to Trinity for the variety of supporting tests, this I think makes the tests more accessible to more people. Not necessarily 'easier', but certainly more accessible. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) There are variations in what is set at each grade, but on the whole the standard of flute pieces is broadly similar, with TG perhaps a little tougher at Grade 8. The choice in the supporting tests is good: i have some pupils for whom learning large numbers of scales from memory is a very slow process, and whose enjoyment of playing can be marred by this.

My pupils are now split 50-50 between the two boards.

[fluterocks]

Interesting thread...

My teacher usually puts all students in for AB exams 1-5, then typically the majority who have continued do trinity 6-8, but that's purely down to there being no theory pre-requisite. I've stuck with AB, and having sat in the end of a gr6 with trinity lesson, I was actually quite impressed as this person had chosen orchestral excerpts (something which, obviously AB don't offer) rather than scales and it actually got her playing quite technical pieces, useful for playing in an orchestra/wind band and develops skills that I've had to do by doing other things, and despite being supposedly more advanced than this girl, I find she can sometimes pick things up at the same rate or quicker than me because she's well practised moving her fingers so to speak.
Similarly, I've sat in a trinity gr8 lesson, and been completely in awe as she can fly over the Poulenc sonata 1st mvt off the list (currently also on AB list), but then ask her to play a Db major scale from memory, and she'd have great difficulty, there is different emphasis. Personally, I think if I saw myself joining a professional orchestra (which I dont), I'd be more inclined to do trinity gr8 to get the technical skills well and truly grounded, then perhaps get the theory and do an AB diploma maybe...

In an ideal world (though it may kill me to do it), I'd ask less scales at gr8 AB, but include a compulsary orchestral excerpt for instruments like flute on top of the 3 pieces, because having looked at the Handel off the list, though it's all about interpretation/performance, the technical skills in it are few, but then other pieces are hugely technical, it's possible to create a programme from the "easiest"(tongue in cheek) pieces off the list and not have to focus on much technical work...with an orchestral excerpt it gives students a chance to experience something like the magic flute or sleeping beauty type things, and gives them a challenging piece covering the range of the instrument, demonstrating what you can do, rather than relying on memory to remember all the scales.


wow...I've written a lot of witter there...

[Glass Mountain]

[/quote]
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) I have always taken AB exams on the piano, and when I was working on Grade 4, my teacher got me the TG grade 5 book, and I found those to be about the same level. Also, one of the pieces in that book (Kabalevsky - Sonatina) is now on the Grade 4 AB syllabus.

Certainly, all of the instrument teachers I've met use AB. I thought that those who used TG were quite a minority.
[/quote]

Sometimes you find the pieces are set at different grades on different boards (and I've also seen some on a lower grade list with the AB too so it works both ways). The fact is, if a piece is set at a particular grade, then the student should play the piece at the level of that grade!

I often tell my pupils, if they're listening to their exam pieces from the board's cds "remember these are being played by a professional, not by someone of your grade."

It certainly seemed to be the case in the past that most piano teachers used the AB, but this is definitely not the case now - in fact I know several teachers who use all 3 main examining boards to suit each pupil.

Another point to note, is that the Viva section of the Trinity + LCM is not an easy option, but the pupils learn far more about the music they are playing as they have to do some research. This also means that all the info I tell them doesn't go in one ear and out of the other any more, as they know they may be questioned on this info in the exam (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[AnnC]

Definitely swings and roundabouts. I've put students in for both, and I would say that (in my experience) it is harder to get the merits and distinctions with Trinity than with AB. Trinity do have a larger chunk of marks to be allocated to performance, and this may be cross-referenced to the other thread about "What makes a distinction?".
It is nice to have the alternative supporting tests, and you can definitely play to your candidates' strengths. However, the sight singing, which is compulsory at grades 6-8, is definitely MUCH more difficult than AB, with no words, no accompaniment and a nasty modulation in the middle.

[karslima]

I did AB up to grade 5 then switched to Trinity Guildhall for grade 6-8, even though I had already done grade 5 theory. I felt that TG was better suited to adult learners like me who only wanted to play one instrument while AB is geared towards those who are aiming for a broader musical education. (And for TG I didn't need to learn sight singing. I mean give me a break I have a hard enough time learning to play the violin!). TG also have an item called 'musicianship' or similar which is basically talking about your understanding of the music - this part of the exam was a gift for me. I think this area is easier for adults who have probably listened to more music in their lives.

It is beneficial that there is some competition for AB and they seem to be expanding the range of pieces to keep up with TG. This can only be a good thing.

[lizbun]

I think they are about the same but I think your more likely to get 22 out of 22 in a trinity piece than 30 out of 30 in an abrsm piece. Well, untill grade 8 which must be difficult to get full marks in.

[AnnC]

I think they are about the same but I think your more likely to get 22 out of 22 in a trinity piece than 30 out of 30 in an abrsm piece. Well, untill grade 8 which must be difficult to get full marks in.

That's interesting. I've never had anyone get 22/22 with TG, but have had several students get 30/30 with AB.

[lizbun]

I think they are about the same but I think your more likely to get 22 out of 22 in a trinity piece than 30 out of 30 in an abrsm piece. Well, untill grade 8 which must be difficult to get full marks in.

That's interesting. I've never had anyone get 22/22 with TG, but have had several students get 30/30 with AB.

I had a grade 7 piece marked as 22/22 but never got more than 28 in ab for any exam.