Hi. I've been playing the accordion for 9 years and I was wondering if anybody knows if you can take exams for it.

Hi
I also play the accordion. I am the current South Pacific Champion for the 12 yr age group!! I've been playing since I was 7yrs old
Here in New Zealand you can take exams run by 2 examining bodies - the New Zealand Accordion Association or the Australian Accordion Association.
There is a proper syllabus etc. The aurals are identical to the ABRSM and the same system applies in that you can't progress past gde 5 without the equivalent gde 5 theory exam.
I am about to sit my gde 6 - to give you an idea I am playing Dance of the Comedians by Smetana, Mattinata by Leoncavallo and Valse Triste by Sibelius. There is also a Czeny study and a heap of scales ( including free bass ones) Additionally there is a section where you have to discuss the history and operation of the accordion so all in all it is quite a through exam and easily equates to the standard of any other instrumental exam at the same level ( and I've done a few!!)
I'm sure a similar exam system must exist in Europe ... otherwise come and visit - NZ is a great place You could stay with us

Hi musicman.
I used to take accordion exams when I lived in China and I got up to grade 6 but then we moved to Britain. I was quite mad when I realized that the ABRSM dont do accordion exams. So I've been getting lessons on really easy scottish folk music. Honestly they are so easy, they are not even of grade 1 standard(sorry if that sounds arrogant), but my teacher was like, you dont get accordion exams here.

Hullo! Victoria College Of Music (V.C.M.) offers grade exams on the accordion in the U.K. I'm not sure what rank/status they have, or if they're accredited by QCA/NQF though. Their website is www.vcmexams.com
Hope that helps!
Matt

Why not just play progressively harder music, even if you can't take exams? They're only a means to an end, after all.

There is an examining board for accordian in the UK.... don't know details, I only heard of it after talking to someone who plays. Can't help by asking them I'm afraid as it was a girl who was on work experience in the school where I do volunteer work.

Victoria College of Music. See my earlier post!
Matt

No, I am sure she said there was an exam board for accordian ONLY.

Hi
Guess what
Hot off the press Trinity guildhall have just put out their first ever Accordion syllabus for classical free-bass and standard bass exams 2005-2006.
So now you can apply to take recognised accordion exams in exactly the same way as any other instrument.
I am going to try for the First Concert Certificate which comes between gdes 5 and 6 . I have already done gde 6 in the Australasian exams but he standard of these seems a bit higher.