Grade 8 to Diploma

[xamy]

How big is this step? If it took someone 8 years to go from grade 1 to 8, how long would it take to get from grade 8 to DipABRSM? Surely more than a year? One of the differences is that pieces need to be memorised, something I am useless at. I ask on the teacher's board in the hope that some of you will have entered students for these exams.

[stevehopwood]

Grade 8 is an amateur qualification. I do not mean this unkindly. Grade 8 represents a high standard and huge achievement; simply that it is not a professional quali.

By contrast, DipABRSM is an entry-level professional qualification that allows you to put the letters DipABRSM after your name. The standards demanded are coresspondingly high; 60% of all candidates fail.

So, unless the candidate is exceptional, there is going to be a considerable time-lag in between grade 8 and being good enough to pass the Dip.

By the way, playing from memory is not a requirement for this diploma.

Steve 

[xamy]

Thanks for the reply. Yes, that's I expected, but 60% failing??? That's kind of put me off a bit! Still, might as well set myself a target, see how far I can go.

[stevehopwood]

Thanks for the reply. Yes, that's I expected, but 60% failing??? That's kind of put me off a bit! Still, might as well set myself a target, see how far I can go.

Sorry, the 60% was a missprint - should have been 50%. Still bad, though.

Go to https://www.abrsm.org/?page=press/factfile/diplomaStats.html read the stastics.

Steve 

[kghayesh]

I know DipABRSM has an annoying Quick Study part, which you are required to sight read with tempo and dynamics and all a piece you were just handed 5 min. before. I think this is ridiculous and what's more ridiculous is that it constitutes for 50 % of the marks of the exam !!!

I extremely want to do this Diploma but what's putting me off so much is that question. I can sight read fairly well but I cannot guarantee i will pass this test (although i did pretty well in sight reading for grade .

[invictious]

Grade 8 to Diploma is a hug step, like grade 5 to 6, and 7 to 8.

Then between the diplomas are even bigger steps, but since you have learnt for 8 years, it shouldn't be too difficult.

[princess_moose]

I know DipABRSM has an annoying Quick Study part, which you are required to sight read with tempo and dynamics and all a piece you were just handed 5 min. before. I think this is ridiculous and what's more ridiculous is that it constitutes for 50 % of the marks of the exam !!!

Of course the level of accuracy in the quick study at dip level is much higher than expected in the grades but you still only get 30 seconds in grades 1-8, whereas you get 5 minutes at DipABRSM. That's a lot longer than you think, and if you use your time wisely it can be done.

[kelly_kelly]

I know DipABRSM has an annoying Quick Study part, which you are required to sight read with tempo and dynamics and all a piece you were just handed 5 min. before. I think this is ridiculous and what's more ridiculous is that it constitutes for 50 % of the marks of the exam !!!

I extremely want to do this Diploma but what's putting me off so much is that question. I can sight read fairly well but I cannot guarantee i will pass this test (although i did pretty well in sight reading for grade .

Well, what level (as in grade) are the pieces that are given?

[princess_moose]

For DipABRSM the quick study grade level is around the level of a grade 6 piece.

LRSM is grade 7 and FRSM is grade 8.

[semiquaver]

I would be surprised if the Quick study was allocated 50% of the marks. Are you sure this is correct?
I disagree with you that the Quick Study is "annoying" and "ridiculous". It is important that as a performer you can make musical sense our of a piece around grade 6 level. It also proves that you are not just "spoon-fed" by a teacher but can make your own musical decisions quickly and sensibly. The Dip level sightreading is not hard. The music is accessible and well-written. It is a valuable skill necessary to both the Performer and the Teacher. They do expect a high standard of performance though - musically shaped, with character and understanding. Getting the notes and rhythms right will certainly not guarantee a pass. Good luck!

[princess_moose]

The quick study is worth 15% is it not?

It is out of a 100:

60 marks are allocated for the recital - with 24 needed to pass
25 marks for the viva/programme notes - with 10 needed to pass
15 marks for the quick study - with 6 needed to pass

[kghayesh]

I have absolutely no idea how much the quick study part is allocated. I just heard that from a teacher here who was teaching me the aural part for grade 8.

Maybe someone who has some connections with ABRSM can get us the exact info.

[princess_moose]

Look at my reply above. That shows how the marks are allocated.

The syllabus clearly states it, so a read of that might be worth it.

[kghayesh]

The quick study is worth 15% is it not?

It is out of a 100:

60 marks are allocated for the recital - with 24 needed to pass
25 marks for the viva/programme notes - with 10 needed to pass
15 marks for the quick study - with 6 needed to pass

Well, then that's wonderful. That gives me hope again.

I heard also that you are required to pass in all parts. For example, if you passed in the recital, viva voce and failed in the quick study you get an overall fail. Is that right? I hope not !!

[semiquaver]

Yes, you have to pass each section to pass the whole diploma. You can however just retake the part you have failed. MAKE SURE YOU GET THE SYLLABUS URGENTLY as I am sure this will answer a lot of your questions!

[princess_moose]

Yep that is correct! I agree with semiquaver, just a syllabus ASAP!!

[tompilk]

This thread is really useful, as io have done my Grade 8 and am thinking about my DipABRSM...
I've pretty much got the notes for Pathetique sorted, but i think this may be a bad choice as it's extremely popular - do examiners take this into account?
Tom

[kghayesh]

Yep that is correct! I agree with semiquaver, just a syllabus ASAP!!

Ok, where can i get this syllabus ?  Is it available online ?

[tompilk]

Ok, where can i get this syllabus ?  Is it available online ?

try here...
https://www.abrsm.org/resources/perfDip05Complete.pdf
Tom

[princess_moose]

This thread is really useful, as io have done my Grade 8 and am thinking about my DipABRSM...
I've pretty much got the notes for Pathetique sorted, but i think this may be a bad choice as it's extremely popular - do examiners take this into account?
Tom

It may be popular, but I don't think the examiners will mind if it is played well. Perhaps if you include that in your programme then pick other pieces that maybe are not as popular.

You don't lose marks for doing a popular piece, otherwise it should not be on the syllabus!

[tompilk]

hehehehehe.. i was just thinking that after all the 1000's of renditions they've heard (proffessionals as well) that they'd downgrade youre performance... because think it is one of the easier pieces... and popularity... well... 
Tom

[nanabush]

I'm not in the ABRSM program, RCM here in Canada , just wondering viva voce is what?  Just talk about your pieces?  And for the quick study, sight reading a grd 6 pieces for DipABRSM... how well would you need to play it for 15 on 15.... perfectly? Or is this examination belcurved, so that 6 / 15 is actually better than a 40%... I'm just curious about this system.

[princess_moose]

A Viva voce is a discussion with the examiners about the pieces and it is an opportunity for you to put across your knowledge etc.

[xamy]

Thanks everyone for the replies. Having recently tackled three pieces on the list, I have already noticed that this step is a particularly big one, but I am relishing the challenge.

[phil13]

Is it known if the U.S. has a program that is similar to either the RCM or the ABRSM systems?

Phil

[pianochild]

Can someone please please tell me an average of the price for dipABRSM, and for grade 8? Just roughly?

(the price to enter that is)

[tompilk]

Can someone please please tell me an average of the price for dipABRSM, and for grade 8? Just roughly?

(the price to enter that is)

£125
The fiull price list is available here, on page 6
https://www.abrsm.org/resources/dipEntryFormUkIre2006.pdf
You gotta get it good before you go in for it!!!!
Tom

[ako]

Is it known if the U.S. has a program that is similar to either the RCM or the ABRSM systems?

Phil

You can take the ABRSM exams in the US. Go to www.abrsm.org. In the US, we usually do the MTNA-local chapter evaluations. I grew up doing that. Your local music teacher association should have information on yearly evluations of this sort.

[ako]

I passed the DipABRSM in singing in 2003 in the US. It took me 1 year to prepare. In countries outside of UK, the examiner makes a tape of the whole examination and brings it back to UK for a panel review. What I learned was, the panel review could give a different result from the examiner's score sheet. I have a colleague who failed by 1 point on the examiner's score sheet. But the board passed her and sent her a diploma. Needless to say, she was thrilled yet thoroughly confused.

The hardest part for me was the Quick Study. I am a pianist and was not used to sight-singing. I almost failed that part. I would say take your time to really get a good grasp of the repoertoire and everything else that is involved. The examiners definitely have a different standard at this level. They expect a budding musician, not just a good music student.