Grading requirements

[kop442000]

Hi everyone.

I did my grade 1 about 12 years ago, and although I have continued to play on and off just for fun. I know would like to start doing the grades again, at level 3 I think. I can't afford lessons at the moment, so am going to try and do it all myself, but there are lots of things I don't know.

Are there only certain times of the year that you can do the grade? Do the peices that you learn become out of date? Obviously I don't want to start learning something and then it becomes out of date before I do the exam.

Is there anywhere on the internet that I can find out about all the requirement for getting a grade?

Thanks for any replies posted.
Paul.

[dorfmouse]

Would help to know what country you're in! Here are the main ones for Britain

ABRSM:
https://www.abrsm.org/?page=home

Trinity College London
https://www.trinitycollege.co.uk/

Are there only certain times of the year that you can do the grade? Do the peices that you learn become out of date?

Yes.

[kop442000]

Thanks.

I am in England. It was an ABRSM one that I did last time, so I think I would do the same again.

Could anyone tell me when the current pieces expire, and when the next ones come out please? I have looked on the website but can't see, to find this info..

Thank you.

[instromp]

Umm i would just like to know which one would I do since i live in the U.S.

[rlefebvr]

ABRSM books should be available at your local music store.

All you have to do is follow the curriculum if you want to go that route.

If you are talking about playing classical music seriously, there is only so far you can go without a teacher.

If you just want to improve:

Bach Minuets are great and very easy to learn by yourself.
Learn some Etudes. Scarlatti has very good sonatina's.
Learn your scales and arpeggios
Learn your circle of fifth.
Get a book with walking bass lines for pop music.
Lean some 12 bar blues.

Practice, practice, practice.

[princessdecadence]

I got the Sonatina collection when I stopped my lessons at age 8 and I kept on playing them, helps a bit, also they are (were) pretty fun, especially the Mozart at the end. 

[stoopot1980]

Hi,

I've just looked in a magazine sent out by the ABRSM called Libretto and it says that the new exam books for 2007 - 2008 are available from 6 July, and also says that you will be able to get grades 1 - 5 in MIDI files from the ABRSM website.

Hope that's of some use to you.

Stuart

[kop442000]

Great that's very helpful!

Thanks for the posts everyone.
Paul.