The New Performance Grades for ABRSM

The last ABRSM in-person piano examination held in Singapore before the pandemic was conducted in February/March 2020. Following this, many countries enforced lockdowns, leading to a notable transition towards online engagements.

In order to support music students who wish to continue taking music exams, ABRSM has launched remotely assessed Performance Grades. These Performance Grades complement the traditional Practical Grades and provide an alternative examination option. Students have the flexibility to switch between the two types of examinations as they advance, or when Practical exams are reinstated.

In 2021, I will prepare my students for the ABRSM Performance Grades, which, as the name suggests, concentrate solely on performance. There are no scales, aural tests, or sight-reading requirements - only four pieces.

After many decades of in-person examinations, trying out something new is refreshing. I am eager to see how my students will perform, but we won't know unless we give it a shot.

For more details on how to record and submit your program for the examination, you can find plenty of information on the ABRSM website and YouTube channel.

Examiners will evaluate the pieces based on pitch, timing, tone, shape, and performance. Therefore, focusing on piano techniques, posture, and overall musicality is beneficial.

Below is a brief guide on the requirements for a recording to be submitted for the Performance Grade.

• You will need a decent recording device - usually, a smartphone or tablet will do. Set the camera resolution to 720

• The file size of the recording should not be more than 2GB to enable successful upload. Acceptable file formats are MP4, WMV, MOV, MPG

• Performance should be recorded as one continuous audio-visual file with NO editing

• For keyboard instruments, the whole keyboard should be visible and, where applicable, the pedals. It helps to have good lighting and camera position

• Announcements such as name, subject (instrument), grade, title, composer, and information on the four pieces made by candidates at the start of the recording should be clear. As of 8th March 2023, online programme forms are introduced. The person submitting the video will enter the details online.

• You need to complete the online programme form in the order in which the pieces will be performed.

• For own-choice piece (unless it is from the provided repertoire lists), the candidate must display the copy being used to the camera for approximately 5 seconds, ensuring that the title, opening clef, key, time signature, tempo markings, and the initial lines of the music are clearly visible.

• Since the examiner must evaluate all aspects of the performance, such as tone quality and dynamic range, it is advisable to conduct multiple trials to refine the recording's quality. I plan to make several recordings during lesson times leading up to the exams, to acclimate my students to the recording environment and its requirements.

• Prior to submission, verify that your video recording has both clear sound and visuals. Additionally, ensure the file name contains no spaces to avoid upload issues. Remember to submit your recording by the specified deadline, which is provided upon registration.

As a comparison, I uploaded two recordings of the same student on the same piano but using different smartphones. Although the pieces were different, the disparity in sound quality was noticeable. Additionally, the newer smartphones also provided superior picture quality.

Using the iPhone 8 plus

(Portrait mode)

Using the iPhone 12 Pro

(Landscape mode)

It is anticipated that students will find pleasure in getting ready for the recently added Performance grade. From my perspective as an educator, I believe that teaching and incorporating the essential scales, aural skills, sight-reading, and music theory remains crucial in shaping a more versatile pianist. A strong base facilitates a smoother advancement for the student.

Wishing you a fulfilling teaching experience!