Hello all. I was wondering if the ABRSM piano exam is open for adults as well?

If so, then great. I am planning to take the exams sooner or later. For those who have taken it, what is it like exactly? Do you submit a recording of one of the pieces or do you play in person front of a judge/scorer?

Right now I am self studying Alfred adult book 1, at what point will I have covered the requisite material for the Grade 1 exam?

thanks!

Yes. Anyone of any age may take the exams.



You play for an adjunctor. You do what is listed in the syllabus for them.

http://www.abrsm.org/regions/fileadmin/user_upload/syllabuses/pianoSyllabusComplete13.pdf

Play your technique (they will select something from the syllabus - you are responsible for it all but expected to only play a bit)

Play your songs

Play a sight-reading exercise

Do the aural exam



Alfred book 1 never approaches ABRSM Grade 1. I would think the end of Alfred book 2 would be approaching it, but still not quite there. However, the 'problem' with ABRSM is the extreme limitation of pieces you can choose from for the exam.

Take a look at the syllabus and see if you can play any of those pieces. Also, an exam is probably better done if you have a teacher. You should really only take it if you feel that you need it. Otherwise, spend your time doing other things.

I'd follow this if I were you and looking to do classical piano:
http://www.theachievementprogram.org/sit...2012_SECURE.pdf

This has FAR more pieces at every level. It may be more suited to you, depending on your goals and current abilities.

So how can i further my education beyond the alfred series? I dont have the resources for a teacher right now so im mostly doing things self taught.

Also, thanks for the achievement program link. I'll look into that one.

You need to purchase the ABRSM exam books for pieces and scales.
You learn one piece of music from each section so you are given a choice of a couple pieces of music. You then have to memorize all the scales/arpeggios and broken chords which are in your scale book.

The examiner will then ask you to play your pieces from sections A B & C for example. They will then get you playing scales from the different sections randomly, for example they will get you playing an ascending scale or two...Could be major minor (Harmonic or Melodic) then you will be asked to play an arpeggio and a broken chord and so on....So just make sure everything is memorized in your head!

You will be asked to play a short sight reading piece, so practice this in your lessons and at home so you are prepared.

You will be also asked to do a short aural test. This could include recognizing a time signature, clapping a rhythm back and singing a small section.

Hi Amirall

You might find this helpful, it's a Youtube video of the Grade 1 exam being taken.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4FBBFsLNek

Do the ABRSM books contain theory and technique? Or just the pieces to choose from?

I would strongly recommend you get a teacher who has experience putting students through these exams. It's not that you won't pass the grade 1 exam by following the exam syllabus very carefully. You probably would. The problem is that as you advance, there is so much more to playing the piano competently than just pressing the right keys at the right time with the right dynamics. Like my teacher always says, it's not a typewriter. I learn something I could never figure out on my own from every lesson.

I'm generally all for self-study, and I even did that for a while, but if you are at all interested in the exams, you should realize the examiners will measure you by a much higher standard than you could reach on your own.

If you don't have a teacher and never have, don't take exams - especially at this level. Save the money up for a teacher in the future.

For now, stick to the books you do have as well as the many free online resources available to you.