I use TG all the time for my keyboard pupils and have been very happy with them. In particular I have been impressed by the wide range of supporting tests now on offer. However, a couple of my pupils have reported rather unexpected experiences with the improvisation tests - eg one was doing a melodic improvisation and appears to have been given a piece of paper with the starter notes on, whereas I gathered from the syllabus that these were played to the candidate who then played them back by by ear before preparing the improvisation. Another appears to have been given a different test to the one I prepared for him and I'm not sure yet how that happened.

It's always difficult to know what has gone on in an exam situation when you are reliant on the accounts of children, and I think I will probably contact the board to try and get a clearer idea of what is required, but I am interested to know how other teachers have got on with the improvisation tests.

Have you looked at the information on the improvisation tests on the TG website? There is quite a comprehensive overview and examples for each grade - might shed some light.

Thanks, yes - I've read them through thoroughly. What I'm interested in is other teachers' actual experience of putting pupils in for the tests and in particular what feedback they got from their pupils.

Quite a few of mine do the melodic improvisation option - they are given the written notes and asked to play them back, so the examiner can see that they are reading correctly - if playing an instrument other than piano the examiner should play along with these. They are not expected to play them by ear. This is how it was explained at a TG workshop, and how it seems to be working out in my exams. The only difference of opinions I seem to be getting are regarding the length of improvisation expected - some seem to expect more than the couple of phrases required for early grades.

Thanks - that's really helpful. I've only just discovered, too, that TG have updated all the info on these tests on their website - wish I'd thought to look before the exam. At least I'll know for next time!