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Topic: ABRSM: Musical shape in scales  (Read 10366 times)

Offline harpogrames

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ABRSM: Musical shape in scales
on: August 16, 2014, 05:47:56 PM
I am currently working up to taking a grade 2 piano exam. ABRSM's exam marking criterias for distinction in scales/arpeggios says:
-Highly accurate notes/pitch
-Fluent and rhythmic
-Musically shaped
-Confident response

English is not my native language but I can grasp everything except "musically shaped". What does this mean in regards to scale playing? Should I e.g. accentuate every 2nd or 4th tone, vary dynamics ...?

Offline chopinlover01

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Re: ABRSM: Musical shape in scales
Reply #1 on: August 21, 2014, 02:43:45 AM
Musical shape just means it sounds like a piece of music rather than a scale, simply put. Start soft on the first notes, and a gradual crescendo to a climax (the top note in the scale) then a gradual decrescendo.

Offline keypeg

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Re: ABRSM: Musical shape in scales
Reply #2 on: August 21, 2014, 03:53:50 PM
Why?

Offline justanamateur

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Re: ABRSM: Musical shape in scales
Reply #3 on: August 23, 2014, 12:06:12 PM
Why?

They're testing your phrasing skills in scales, not just your ability to memorise. It's not hard though, just play it as though it were a passage in a repertoire piece.  ;)
Chopin Op 18, Op 53, 62/2, 37/2, 10/12
Fauré Nocturne 5
Bach English Suite 3
Brahms 79/2

Offline harpogrames

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Re: ABRSM: Musical shape in scales
Reply #4 on: August 25, 2014, 09:46:52 AM
Thanks, that makes sense.

I guess a little rhytmic accentuation wouldn't hurt either
(I feel its easier to keep good rhytm that way)

Offline justanamateur

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Re: ABRSM: Musical shape in scales
Reply #5 on: August 26, 2014, 03:25:10 AM
Thanks, that makes sense.

I guess a little rhytmic accentuation wouldn't hurt either
(I feel its easier to keep good rhytm that way)

It's necessary, actually.  :)
Chopin Op 18, Op 53, 62/2, 37/2, 10/12
Fauré Nocturne 5
Bach English Suite 3
Brahms 79/2
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