Hi

I quite like the idea of doing grade 8 Practical Musicianship. Has anyone else done it (or any of the other grades, for that matter) and what did you think of it?

Cheers

There have been quite a few threads on Practical Musicianship - have a search and you'll probably come up with lots of useful info!

Thanks. Unfortunately, I don't seem to be able to find any...

Actually, have just found some stuff. Thanks!

Have a look at these two

http://forums.abrsm.org/index.php?showtopic=4834

http://forums.abrsm.org/index.php?showtopic=8511

The search function has gone a bit haywire at the moment....

If you're still looking on this thread, I did grade 5 2 weeks ago and am still waiting for the results. It teaches many useful skills, although the exam is something of a plunge into the unknown.

Ooh, good luck for your results! Did you enjoy the exam at all?

Thanks!

I did enjoy the exam, and learnt a lot from it. I recommend it! However it was a lot of work. It suits me better than theory, which I did it instead of. I'm sure I'll have passed.....

I did pass! I got a merit! A B- in fact, and so I'm very happy!

Well done!

Are there any books etc for the practical musicianship? I'd be interested to have a go but don't have a clue where to start with preparation....

Thanks!

There are some books, yes. Which grade are you interested in? The best ones are Musicianship in Practice, Book I, Grades 1-3, Musicianship in Practice, Book II, Grades 4&5, and Musicianship in Practice, Book III, Grades 6-8 (All ABRSM publishing). These books explain what is required in each test and have many examples for you to practise with. Also, you may like to have a look at Practical Musicianship Specimen Tests, Grades 1-5 and Practical Musicianship, Specimen Tests, Grades 6-8. These are more like practise papers - pure practise material. There are less examples in those. Have a look at the 'Muscianship in Practise' books; they're what I used.

Hope this helps!

Ahhh thanks - yes, it's useful to know that people have found things useful (if that makes sense! ) I'll have to have a look...

Good luck!

Well done! I have entered for the exam this term so will look for those books too!

The musicianship in Practice books are ok but they are not really as clear about how the tests will be administered in an exam as the aural training in practice books which give official wording.

Are they not just for aural tests on instrumental exams?

The Aural training in practice books are.
The musicianship in Practice books are for Pratical Musicianship exams.

That's what I thought. So while I agree that the 'aural training in practise' books may be better, as they give official wording, they cannot be used for practical musicianship exams. I think the 'Musicianship in practise' books are really the only books that can be used for practical musicianship. I found them useful anyway!

Yes, but what I mean is that they leave you a bit in the dark about how it will all work in the exam.

My son is entered for grade 5 PM this term. Can anybody who has done this exam give him any pointers. What do they expect when testing improvisation or transposition? Although he has worked through the syllabus both he and his tutor have little idea of expectation. His tutor would like to sit in on the exam to see what exactly happens.

I did grade 5 PM last term. Is he doing it as an alternative to theory? My teacher didn't know what to expect, having never entered anyone for it before. I didn't actually do the transposition test, I did the singing a lower part one instead. Has he decided that that is the test he wants to do?

As for the improvisation test, you are expected to freely improvise a tune. You will be given a short 'motif' which you then carry on freely for about 45 seconds. If you have any other questions, feel free to PM me.

Yes, he is doing PM as an alternative He is not so hot with pen and paper although he appreciates that there may be a need at some point to do his theory. As for choices, I was unaware, however he must have made his choice of transposition, because of his voice breaking at the moment. Do you think he chose the harder option? How did you do in your grade? I think he has covered most aspects and practises what he can, but he is not sure what they will assess. On improvisation, do they expect something wonderful or will the pass be awarded on just getting it in the right key, have you any ideas about this, because although my son seems to be confident in his improvisation, it is not yet very exciting to hear!