Hi

I have always wondered about the practical musicianship exams that can be taken with the AB, and wondered what they were like? I have looked at the website, and I was wondering how they marked them etc and how people have found taking the exams?

Thanks in advance for any replies

Joy

I did grade 6, for fun, about 15 years ago - got a distinction. I didn't attempt anything higher.

Liz

Thanks for your reply

I am considering having a go at one of the exams, for fun too, just wondered how you found it?

One of my hyperactive when young students did Grade 5. The examiner was nice, because not as many people take this exam as the theory! She even played the last test a third time because he couldn't spot any differences in the piece from his score! And played the erroneous note a resounding forte.

I'll let you know what he got when I get the results in like two or three weeks.

Violin-Ann

That would be great to hear how the exam went, thanks. I just think it is a differnt exam that could be taken for those who are not so into theory.

Joy

Hi Joyjoy
I took the practical musicianship exam instead of grade 8 theory in 2002. My original idea was to take grade 5 and work up. Strangely I found the grade 8 syllabus easier than the grade 5 so went straight for that. I much preferred the improvisation on a given poem to improvising an accompaniment and generally enjoyed the playing at sight and questions on an orchestral extract. Transposing at grade 8 wasn't that much harder than at the lower grades.

I worked on the exam without a teacher and it took me about 4 months to prepare. The exam was very enjoyable and the examiner lovely.

The mark sheet is very different to the practical grades. Each test is commented on individually although no mark is given. The overall result is either A: a pass with distinction B: a pass with merit C: a pass F: failure to reach the standard required to pass.

I managed a B+

To give you an example of the comments Section A "Singing the melody was quite challenging, thought playing went better. Overall shape achieved, but involving some experimentation and mistaken notes today in both versions.

E (improvisation) Imaginative minor to major transition and use of musical metaphors (trills, flourishes etc) to reflect and respond to the text (Spring). Convincing and enjoyable.

I would certainly recommend its use for pupils whether or not they are sitting theory. Its a lot more creative!

That's excellent! Well done, I definitely think it is a good option for those who are good at playing by ear and enjoy composing their own tunes so I think it might be the way to go for those children. I think I might take one of the exams myself soon, to see what it is like.

Can I ask which books you looked at?

Joy

Very easy and a lot of fun.

Liz

I am considering doing grade 6 to get into the teaching diploma, although my music degree may cover this. I am looking at the syllabus. It's a question of time though, which I don't have much of. I think they are very good exams for developing musicanship skills which often lack some aspiring musicans.

Here is another thread.

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

Is there any literature/cds etc etc about the Practical Musicianship exams? Besides what is in the syllabus books I mean?

So far I've put four pupils in for grade 5 practical musicianship. All who have been young and 'musical' and wanted to do grade 6 on their instrument. None of them have been at a standard to do grade 5 theory - and would have taken a year or so to get them there, whilst the prac mus only took a term. They could also jsut stay in the exam room after a practical exam and do what they almost regarded as extra aural tests, instead of having to go and do a written exam - an environment alien to young children.
All passed first time with a C except 1 who happened to be my daughter! She was very young when she took it first time and could do it easily at home but happened to go to pieces somewhat on the day (although I thought that the examiner was a hard marker). WHen she did it again she got a B+.
I think that it is much easier than the theory for many pupils.

Yes, I totally agree, the exams look a bit more approachable for some of the younger children I teach. my boyfriend got hold of a set of papers for grades 1- 5 and they actually look quite interesting and I think it should be recognised more really, as it is just as important as the theory side.

Thanks for you reply

Joy