Just a note to any interested ABRSM bod who reads these posts. I know this probably won't be do-able now, if ever, for reasons of finance/ techinical know-how but I thought I'd flag it up anyway:

I have been really impressed over the last few days visiting and revisiting a site called violinmasterclass.com which someone flagged up in another thread. One of the best bits is the video clips of various student performances of pieces, and also of lessons being given on different aspects of technique.

I remember it being quite difficult to get enthusiastic about choosing grade pieces when I used to do the ABRSM exams, but looking at things like the little chap playing Kroll's "banjo and fiddle" in the "performance files", I challenge any young learner not to be a little bit enthused by such a performance of such a piece. I just think one day, maybe in the distant mists of time, it would be great if ABRSM students could choose their grade pieces with the help of seeing similar little performances, which they could flick between, return to, and consider in their own time. As with violin masterclass, it would also no doubt give a number of little prodigies an opportunity to perform to the world!

Don't you think that would be a bit of a reach?
All those instruments, multiply by 8 grades, then every piece on every list must be well over a thousand pieces

Thanks for your thoughts, Fletch!

I suppose rather than have recordings on every conceivable instrument you could select a few instruments that needed a bit of promoting (eg string instruments) - or even, as a pilot, just one instrument playing the pieces for some of the earlier grades.

Nor would you have to find a different performer for every single piece; For instance a couple of high scoring grade 3 violinists from the first year of the previous pieces could be offered to record all the new pieces for grades 1-3 between them, a few high scoring grade VIII violinists could record the grade 4-6 pieces, and perhaps the grade VII/VIII pieces could be recorded by some violinists studying at a higher level.

Come to think of it, although I headed this as a "note to the ABRSM", I suppose anyone with access to the recording equipment could do it - the violin masterclass example I give is basically a private teacher showcasing his own students and teaching staff.

I suspect this is like so many things I come across at work - an absolute doddle from a technical point of view, then mired in administrivia!

It is the next obvious thing to do after the demo CDs and tapes are available. I suppose the key thing is that with the demo CDs you are buying them so you're making a contribution to the original artist/composer. Rather more difficult to police on the web without a subscription service - administrivia!

QUOTE (Fen @ May 27 2005, 01:37 PM)

administrivia

good word!

Maybe people could be invited to "donate" recordings of themselves performing the pieces to help others?

sorry - hit button twice.

I thought that, Sarah, but I don't know how many individuals would have the equipment + know how to make a video and put it on the internet. Funny though how as technology marches on the horizons keep changing - they'll probably be sending them in via mobile phone before too long!