Music examination
Encyclopedia
Music examinations are a method of formally assessing the accomplishments of pupils learning musical instruments.
Although there are music examinations available to school
and university
students alongside other regular qualifications and assessments, there are also a number of independent bodies who solely provide assessment in musical ability which are open to all.
Most students who enter these exams have taken a course of music lesson
s with a private tutor. Often this is a way for children to receive music training over and above what is provided at their usual place of learning, although private lessons are also popular with adults who turn to music later in life.
Music exams are set in both theory
and practical aspects. The theory examinations are taken by pupils of all instruments and typically cover areas such as musical notation
, construction of scales
and composition
.
The practical exams concentrate on the particular instrument favoured by the pupil, for example piano
, guitar
or flute
. They cover elements such as playing set pieces, scales
, sight reading
, aural.
In the United Kingdom
the music exams are graded from 1 to 8, with grade 1 being the entry level, and grade 8 being the standard required for entry to higher study in a music college. The biggest examination board
is the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music
. The other examination boards are Trinity Guildhall (formerly Guildhall
and Trinity
, which merged in 2007); London College of Music Examinations
; Victoria College of Music, London
;and the National College of Music
London.
Other reputable music examination boards offering examinations on musical instruments and music theory include:-
Different music examination boards may have different grade levels for instruments and music theory examination. In addition, examination results or credits may not be transferable from one exam board to the other.
Although there are music examinations available to school
School
A school is an institution designed for the teaching of students under the direction of teachers. Most countries have systems of formal education, which is commonly compulsory. In these systems, students progress through a series of schools...
and university
University
A university is an institution of higher education and research, which grants academic degrees in a variety of subjects. A university is an organisation that provides both undergraduate education and postgraduate education...
students alongside other regular qualifications and assessments, there are also a number of independent bodies who solely provide assessment in musical ability which are open to all.
Most students who enter these exams have taken a course of music lesson
Music lesson
Music lessons are a type of formal instruction in playing a musical instrument or singing. Typically, a student taking music lessons meets a music teacher for one-on-one training sessions ranging from 30 minutes to one hour in length over a period of weeks or years...
s with a private tutor. Often this is a way for children to receive music training over and above what is provided at their usual place of learning, although private lessons are also popular with adults who turn to music later in life.
Music exams are set in both theory
Music theory
Music theory is the study of how music works. It examines the language and notation of music. It seeks to identify patterns and structures in composers' techniques across or within genres, styles, or historical periods...
and practical aspects. The theory examinations are taken by pupils of all instruments and typically cover areas such as musical notation
Musical notation
Music notation or musical notation is any system that represents aurally perceived music, through the use of written symbols.-History:...
, construction of scales
Major scale
In music theory, the major scale or Ionian scale is one of the diatonic scales. It is made up of seven distinct notes, plus an eighth which duplicates the first an octave higher. In solfege these notes correspond to the syllables "Do, Re, Mi, Fa, Sol, La, Ti/Si, ", the "Do" in the parenthesis at...
and composition
Musical composition
Musical composition can refer to an original piece of music, the structure of a musical piece, or the process of creating a new piece of music. People who practice composition are called composers.- Musical compositions :...
.
The practical exams concentrate on the particular instrument favoured by the pupil, for example piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
, guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
or flute
Flute
The flute is a musical instrument of the woodwind family. Unlike woodwind instruments with reeds, a flute is an aerophone or reedless wind instrument that produces its sound from the flow of air across an opening...
. They cover elements such as playing set pieces, scales
Musical scale
In music, a scale is a sequence of musical notes in ascending and descending order. Most commonly, especially in the context of the common practice period, the notes of a scale will belong to a single key, thus providing material for or being used to conveniently represent part or all of a musical...
, sight reading
Sight reading
Sight-reading is the reading and performing of a piece of written music, specifically when the performer has not seen it before. Sight-singing is often used to describe a singer who is sight-reading.-Sight-reading:...
, aural.
In the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
the music exams are graded from 1 to 8, with grade 1 being the entry level, and grade 8 being the standard required for entry to higher study in a music college. The biggest examination board
Examination board
An examination board is an organisation that sets examinations and is responsible for marking them and distributing results. Examination boards have the power to award qualifications, such as SAT scores, to students...
is the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music
Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music
ABRSM is an internationally recognised educational body and charity that provides examinations in music The organisation, based in London, UK, runs exams in centres all over the world...
. The other examination boards are Trinity Guildhall (formerly Guildhall
Guildhall School of Music and Drama
Guildhall School of Music and Drama is an independent music and dramatic arts school which was founded in 1880 in London, England. Students can pursue courses in Music, Opera, Drama and Technical Theatre Arts.-History:...
and Trinity
Trinity College of Music
Trinity College of Music is one of the London music conservatories, based in Greenwich. It is part of Trinity Laban.The conservatoire is inheritor of elegant riverside buildings of the former Greenwich Hospital, designed in part by Sir Christopher Wren...
, which merged in 2007); London College of Music Examinations
London College of Music Examinations
London College of Music Examinations is an examinations board offering graded and diploma qualifications in music, and in drama & communication...
; Victoria College of Music, London
Victoria College of Music, London
Victoria College of Music, London, is an examining body that offers independent graded exams, medals and diplomas in music, speech and drama in the UK and selected other countries such as the Republic of Ireland, Malta and Sri Lanka...
;and the National College of Music
National College of Music
The National College of Music, London is a music examination organisation, offering external grade examinations in music, drama and speech both in the UK and overseas.- History :...
London.
Other reputable music examination boards offering examinations on musical instruments and music theory include:-
- Australian Music Examinations BoardAustralian Music Examinations BoardThe Australian Music Examinations Board is a privately funded corporation which assesses music, speech, and drama in Australia. The organisation had its beginnings at the Universities of Melbourne and Adelaide in 1887; the organisation now has a Federal Office in Melbourne, and offices in each...
(www.ameb.edu.au)
- New Zealand Music Examinations Board (www.nzmeb.org)
- The Royal Conservatory of Music, Canada (www.rcmexaminations.org)
- University of South AfricaUniversity of South AfricaThe University of South Africa is a distance education university, with headquarters in Pretoria, South Africa. With approximately 300 000 enrolled students, it qualifies as one of the world's mega universities.-History:...
- Directorate Music (www.unisa.ac.za)
- Vienna Music Examination Board (Wiener Musik-Prüfungskommission) (www.vmeb.org)
Different music examination boards may have different grade levels for instruments and music theory examination. In addition, examination results or credits may not be transferable from one exam board to the other.