Very Very Quick Question About American Grading System

[ivoryplayer_amf]

What is the Americcan Grading system, and is there a link or info I can read about it.

[faulty_damper]

I don't think there is an American grading system.  Americans, as you know, will and have sacrificed music and the other creative arts first in fiscal troubles so there is no investment into such a system.  That also probably explain why many American teachers suck and that the only good ones were schooled in Europe.

The closest thing I have ever encountered to any grading system in the US is borrowed from the UK, the ABRSM exams and even these examinations suck.  It's so easy to pass the grade 8, it's rediculous.

But due to the lack of a formal American grading system, I think it's great that there is no arbitrary standard by which others can use to judge a student.

[phil13]

um... Syllabus?

Phil

[amanfang]

https://www.royalamericanconservatory.org/

This is all I know about.  It is not yet nationally accepted as THE standard.  I don't know even know a whole lot about this program.

[cjp_piano]

https://www.royalamericanconservatory.org/

This is all I know about.  It is not yet nationally accepted as THE standard.  I don't know even know a whole lot about this program.

Yes, it's fairly new, based on Canada's RCME (royal conservatory of music examinations, toronto) which has been in existence for over 100 years.  Similar to ABRSM.

I'm in Ohio, the first state to adopt it as its state standard.

There are exam centers in about 28 states so far. 

Many of my students participate in RACE.  It's excellent and the syllabus is great.  Check out the website or ask me more about it 

[faulty_damper]

Please tell us more about it.

[cjp_piano]

Please tell us more about it.

Many teachers involved in the RACE program hope and pray that it DOES because the national standard.  Actually, it IS a national standard, just not widely known or accepted yet.  When we look at other countries that have something similar (Canada, Australia, many in Europe), we find many characteristics:

 - the teaching is better, students receive comprehensive music education
 - students don't drop out of piano so soon
 - more students become life-long musicians
 - the general population thinks highly of piano/music lessons 
 - people view piano teaching as a viable profession instead of just a hobby on the side
 - students often miss soccer practice because they have piano (instead of the other way around, ha ha) 

Anyway, to quote fauly_damper, the reason "American teachers suck" is because there is no national standard.  They just want little Bobby to be able to play the Pink Panther theme, or at least just get through the blasted thing.  But if Bobby wants to pass the Grade 1 piano exam, then Miss Ima Crappyteacher has to step it up because he has to:

 - know scales, chords, cadences (depending on the level)
 - sight-read rhythms and melodies
 - playback a melody by ear and clapback a rhythm by ear
 - identify intervals and chords by ear
 - perform a few solos by memory
 - play some etudes

It's reasonably attainable to receive a passing mark, but very difficult to score in the 90's.  Unlike local judged events (which I have no problem with), the RACE examiners go through a rigorous training process, ensuring fair, uniform, consistent judging.

Check out the website, there is alot of information there.  I'm no expert.

I've learned alot about it at the MTNA national conferences.  The president of RACE presented sessions about it.  It was very encouraging to meet other teachers who are getting their students involved, and to hear stories from all over the country about how RACE is emerging!

[faulty_damper]

I visited the website before I asked you to tell us more.  The system seems like any other program, the only difference seems to be the name of the system.  ABRSM is used in the US and they hold yearly exams here so why RACE?  Because it's founded in the States?

I knew many students from the ABRSM system because my first teacher used this system and I did not like the quality of students that this system produced.  The could play advanced grade 8 repertory but the level of musicianship was disappointing.  It seemed that all that mattered became trying to get another grade diploma.

What was interesting was that my teacher did not allow me to take any of these exams even though I explicitly expressed interest in doing so.  She said that it would mean nothing to me, considering that I started playing as an adult, and that I would be disenchanted taking the theory exam because it covered a lot of useless information.  I am guessing that the reason why she didn't want me to take them was because her other students hated them and resented playing the piano to pass another exam instead of playing for fun.  Maybe this is another issue.

If students start taking these exams, they will inevitably associate exams with being judged on an arbitrary standard so they will recieve a piece of paper stating they have passed.  Is this the goal of learning how to play a musical instrument?

It seemed that many of my teacher's students, once they have passed the grade 8 exam, the last exam in the system, they stopped playing the piano entirely.  They no longer were interested in playing.  Ironically, many of these students were the ones who asked their parents to take lessons including my sister and she hasn't touched the piano in years.  Perhaps this phenomenon occured because there were no other grade to attain and so the goal of taking and passing exams was achieved so there was no need to play the piano any longer.

This can't possibly be beneficial for students.  They should learn how to play because they enjoy it, not to pass exams.  Reflecting back, I am glad my teacher didn't allow me to take these exams because then it would have ingrained on me that playing the piano is about being judged in a manner I did not care for.  But as to the many students subjected to such exams, I hope they eventually realize that playing the piano is not about passing an arbitrary standard.  And hopefully teachers realize this too.

[cjp_piano]

I'm not too familiar with ABRSM, but I do know that the syllabus for RACE is much different.  It includes a wide variety of repertoire, including American composers, and allows for substitutions and students' choices.  It includes 2 preperatory levels that include pieces from almost all method books.  Then there are grades 1-10, and then there's ARCT (associate of the Royal Conservatory, Toronto).  So actually there are 13 levels, the highest being the most advanced repertoire.  Pieces that I played on my Masters Piano Recital are RACE level ARCT.  Is ABRSM grade 8 similar?

You mentioned students passing grade 8 but the level of musicianship was disappointing?  What kind of technique, ear skills, sight-reading, etc. are in the ABRSM exams?  I've found the complete opposite.  My students who prepare for RACE exams have a MUCH higher level of musicianship then my others. 

Most of my students' goals are NOT simply to get a RACE certificate.  I help them understand that it's just an assesment to see how they are doing at that particular moment; like taking your tempurature. 

As far as adults, many adults take the RACE exams.  I heard of one elderly woman who takes a grade 5 exam every year!  I guess she wants to keep her chops up, good for her!

You're right about the goal of learning to play a musical instrument.  The goal shouldn't be to take an exam to get a piece of paper.  I hope the teachers whose students participate in the exams don't convey the wrong idea.  The exams are just part of what my students do.  They play in recitals, festivals, and competitions, they have lessons, they have group classes, and they take an exam in which the judge offers suggestions for improvement.  Like taking the SAT or ACT, surely this doesn't summarize the whole education of a student, but it is a specific kind of assesement.   

Maybe the mentality of RACE is just different.  The examiners are wonderful people and very kind and encouraging to students, not harsh and intimidating.  Their comments really are helpful. 

Obviously you've had bad experience with exams.  To each his own!