I just wanna ask ppl who are preparin or have already passed DipABRSM about programme notes...
which are required for the exam...
I'm having the exam on 25th May...
but my programme notes are still not done...
I don't exactly know wht I really need...
it seems that everything are important..
then what should I do for organizing?
what parts are the most important for the examiners?
Can anybody let me noe about it? Thanks alot

Hi Yanyan

I am preparing for a Diploma but I havent completed my programme notes yet either! I have started though, but like you, I am rather unsure what to put. So far, I have typed briefly about the composers history, when the piece was composed, when it was first published/and or performed etc.. Nothing too grand I know, theres plenty more work to be done!

I have a copy of Writing Programme Notes A Guide for Diploma candidates (available via the ABRSM website) and it states that at DipABRSM level programme notes should be written for a general concert audience, ie : non muscians who are interested in music and are fairly knowledgeable.

I too, would greatly appreciate any advice from anyone else currently preparing for the DipABRSM or anyone who has already taken it.

This website has help on writing programme notes and information on the viva and so on.

This may just be me missing the point but isn't the purpose of doing programme notes partially to help you to form an appropriate interpretation? Surely they should be done at the beginning of your preparation (well at least at a reasonably early stage) so that you can use the information from your research in forming your interpretation of the pieces . Conductors and professional soloists surely research the piece quite some time before the performance....

im ALSO taking my diploma in performing, in 3 weeks (1st june)... and i ALSO havent finished my programme notes! i have the copy of the guide to writing them, it's quite helpful... and you should ask your teacher to help you because professional performers often have had to write these so they'll know what to do (my piano techer is also a virtuoso, so..). but on a lot of the things i cant find the information... plus, the viva voce is basically a discussion of the programme notes, and i was on the ABRSM website looking for info on what's gonna be on the viva voce, and there's a list of stuff like "idiom", "core repertoire as it relates to the instrument", "style and technique" and its all so vague!!!!! i really dont understand to what depth we have to know this stuff... and whether i should start going over my grade 5 theory books ?!?!

AnotherPianist, yes that is the point, but when you live an extremely busy life like mine (and im sure that of yamaha and yanyan too), then its difficult to get them done before then! so please don't judge us!

anyone else have any tips on viva voce and/or programme notes? and how are you guys practising for sight reading?

--selma--

p.s. i heard a rumour that at dipABRSM, you have to play the pieces *perfectly* just to get a low pass?! does anyone else know approx. the standard required? if i fail, ill probably stop playing altogether!!

Make sure you understand and can explain eloquently your programme notes.

I wonder if the examiners have the same diploma standard in mind actually, I just think that people tend to have different interpretation for the same piece and if mine is different from the examiner...would this mean a low pass? (if not fail)

I haven't spent any time on sight reading...but I used to get whatever piece I've in hand and play it immediately without 5 mins preparation...maybe it could help...
anyone konw how long will the sight reading piece be in the exam?

QUOTE

AnotherPianist, yes that is the point, but when you live an extremely busy life like mine (and im sure that of yamaha and yanyan too), then its difficult to get them done before then! so please don't judge us!

But surely you'll be even busier in the run up to the exam I was just thinking that it would have actually helped in the earlier stages of your pieces, making it easier and quicker for you to form an appropriate interpretation.

QUOTE

I wonder if the examiners have the same diploma standard in mind actually, I just think that people tend to have different interpretation for the same piece and if mine is different from the examiner...would this mean a low pass? (if not fail)

No, you won't fail because they don't agree with your interpretation, so long as it's a vaild interpretation and they can see that thought has gone into it (i.e. if you play Bach romantically you will fail , at least that piece will drag the mark down) and if you take a romantic piece and slow down on a hard part calling it interpretation then they will catch you out (but obviously if it's appropriate to slow down that then it would be fine). You have an advantage in the diploma in that you can justify your interpretation in the viva (although they will be decoupling the viva and recital in the new syllabus, but you could still do that so long as it's not a resit because you failed the viva).

QUOTE

p.s. i heard a rumour that at dipABRSM, you have to play the pieces *perfectly* just to get a low pass?! does anyone else know approx. the standard required? if i fail, ill probably stop playing altogether!!

If your pieces are technically perfect but have no interpretation whatsoever then yes, you probably would fail; but with reasonable interpretation and good technical security you'll pass. At the bottom of this page is a description of someone who has a 'pass' at the diploma which describes the standard attained, you may find it a little wooly though! Also the syllabus has descriptions of what is needed to get each category of pass, so you could take a look at that too.

Hi all

For sight reading I am using............

A keyboard Anthology Book 5 1st, 2nd & 3rd series. These are AB publications, collections of pieces at Grade 7 sandard. As AB publications, I think these should represent the AB Grade 7 standard well. The Dip sight reading is of Grade 6 standard.

More Romantic pieces for Piano Bk 5 (Another AB Grade 7 book)

Sonatina Album for Piano Vol 51 Schirmers Library (mixed standard, some quite easy)

I try to play one piece every day for sight reading, I dont practice it at all, just a quick look through and then do the best I can.