Learn Piano
Grades and Exams
People learning musical instruments often study for 'grades' or 'exams' - to help them measure their progress.
Associated Board or ABRSM are the most well-known grading exams, and we have several students working on their piano grades from 1 to 6 at present.
Links to specific pages:
aural tests,
grade 1,
grade 2,
grade 3,
grade 4,
grade 5,
grade 6.
Grades can be useful as a guide, and for providing a certificate when you pass, but compared to some other piano teachers I don't insist on grades or exams - I help people learn piano skills and enjoy a variety of music whether they want to sit grades or not!
Having said that, all the aspects of grade exams are important in piano playing, so it's worth knowing what is covered:
Playing Scales and Arpeggios
- Similar motion - both hands moving together, stepping up and down the keys
- Contrary-motion - hands moving apart from a single note
- Chromatic scales - playing every key
- Arpeggios - playing the notes of a chord up and down
- Checklists: grade 2, grade 3, grade 4, grade 5, grade 6.
Practising Pieces (3 per grade)
- Learning specified music in detail
- Playing techniques appropriate to the level
- Using both hands together from the music or memory
Sight Reading
- Reading and playing a short piece you've never seen before
- Quickly spotting flats/sharps, rhythms and phrases
- Looking for patterns like scales and arpeggios
Listening/Aural
- Listening to music and noticing the rhythm
- Singing notes as response to playing or by sight
- Identifying key aspects of a piece of music
You can read more about the marking criteria on ABRSM.org.