Is Grade 6 piano good?

The Grade 6 Piano exam is for candidates who have reached the first stage of advanced level playing. They have mastered the key skills up to Grade 5 and have since developed appropriate technique, expressive devices, rhythmic complexity, co-ordination and musical understanding.

rslawards.com - RSL Classical: Piano Grade 6

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Buy Your Book Classical grades for the modern musician. RSL Classical Piano Grade 6 will provide you with everything you need for your Grade 6 exam, including a diverse range of repertoire, a truly innovative range of supporting tests and a vast array of professionally arranged and recorded backing tracks. BUY NOW! Exam Structure There are two main types of exam available, a Grade Exam or Performance Certificate, which can be booked as a face-to-face exam or recorded video exam and is also available in some centres as a live-streamed video exam. More info about our video exams can be found here... Grade Exam 3 Performance Pieces (two of which may be Free Choice Pieces) Candidates choose to play either Performance Pieces or Technical Exercises first These account

for 60% of the

exam mark Technical Exercises

Candidates choose to play either Performance Pieces or Technical Exercises first These account

for 15% of the

for 10% of the exam marks Ear Tests Candidates respond to one melodic recall test. These account

for 10% of the

exam marks General Musicianship Questions Candidates answer 5 questions based on one of the pieces performed These account

for 5% of the

exam marks Performance Certificate 5 Performance Pieces only

(three of these can be Free Choice Pieces) These account for 20% of the exam mark each.

Frédéric Chopin – Mazurka in Ab

Isaac Albéniz – Tango in D

Oscar Peterson – Jazz Exercise No. 2

Klaus Badelt / Hans Zimmer – He’s a Pirate

Florence Price – Silk Hat and Walking Cane

Alexis Ffrench – Shine

Jóhann Jóhannsson – Cambridge, 1963

Claude Debussy – The Little Shepherd

Johann Sebastian Bach – Invention in A minor, BWV 784 RSL Classical Piano – Repertoire List Technical Exercises At Grade 6 there are three groups of technical work: Scales, Arpeggios and Technical Studies. Major scales, minor scales, chromatic scales and arpeggios need to be played hands together, ascending and descending across four octaves. Contrary motion scales and pentatonic scales need to be played hands together, ascending and descending across two octaves.

The examiner may also ask for legato or staccato.

Candidates must choose to play either natural minor or harmonic minor or melodic minor scales in the exam. The examiner will ask the candidate to state which set of minor scales they have prepared. Groups A and B (scales & arpeggios) must be played from memory. Candidates may use their book for Group C (Technical Studies).

All groups are played unaccompanied (without metronome or click).

Any fingerings shown are suggestions only.

Candidates will be marked on tone quality and consistency, maintenance of pulse, and accuracy. Performances slower than the stated minimum tempo may be subject to qualitative judgement by the examiner, according to extent and commensurate with the grade. GROUP A: SCALES Minimum Tempo: 152 bpm

Octave range: 4 octaves (except contrary motion scales and pentatonics: 2 octaves)

Rhythms: Quavers (eighth notes), finishing on a crotchet (quarter note). F# major

F# major (contrary motion) (2 octaves)

Gb major

Gb major (contrary motion) (2 octaves)

D# natural/harmonic/melodic minor

Eb natural/harmonic/melodic minor

F# major pentatonic

Gb major pentatonic

D# minor pentatonic

E b minor pentatonic

Chromatic scale on any black key stated by examiner GROUP B: ARPEGGIOS Tempo: 100 bpm

Time Signature: 3/4, 4/4

Octave range: 4 octaves

Rhythms:

- 3/4: Quavers (eighth notes), finishing on a dotted minim (dotted half note). - 4/4: Quavers, finishing on a minim (half note). F # major arpeggio

Gb major arpeggio

D# minor arpeggio

Eb minor arpeggio

G7 arpeggio

F7 arpeggio GROUP C: TECHNICAL STUDIES Candidates perform their choice of one of the technical studies from the grade book. Supporting Tests At Grade 6 candidates will be offered the choice between Sight Reading or Contemporary Improvisation and Interpretation. Both are previously unseen and examples of each are given in the grade book. SIGHT READING Key Signature: Up to six sharps or flats

Time Signature: simple or compound time

Dynamics/articulation: any In the sight reading test, the examiner will give candidates a 12–16 bar piece, to be played unaccompanied. Candidates will first be given 90 seconds to practise. After the practice time, the examiner will candidates to commence the test. CONTEMPORARY IMPROVISATION & INTERPRETATION Key: Gb major or F# major

Tempo: 60–130 bpm

Time Signature: 3/4, 4/4 In the Contemporary Improvisation & Interpretation test, the examiner will give candidates a 12–16 bar chord progression in the key of either F# major or G b major. Candidates will first be given 90 seconds to prepare, after which the examiner will play the backing track twice. The first time is fpractise and the second time is to perform the final version for the exam. For each playthrough, the backing track will begin with a one bar count-in. The tempo is q = 60–130. Candidates have the choice to improvise either a melodic line or a chordal part to complement the backing track. During the preparation time, Candidates will be given the choice of a metronome click throughout or a one bar count-in at the beginning.

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The backing track is continuous, so once the first playthrough has finished, the count-in of the second playing will start immediately. EAR TESTS At Grade 6 there is one ear test, assessing melodic recall skills. An example is shown in the grade book. MELODIC RECALL Key: C major

Tempo: 95bpm

Time Signature: 4/4

Rhythms: Minims (half notes) and quavers (eighth notes) The examiner will play a two-bar diatonic melody in the key of C major, with a range up to an octave. There will be a C root note at the beginning of the test, then the melody will be played twice, each time preceded by four clicks. After this, candidates will hear a one bar count-in then will need to play the melody back to a metronome click. The first note of the melody will be either the root or fifth. It is acceptable for candidates to play over the track as the test is being played and there will be 10 seconds to practise after the second playing. The piano can be used to assist at any time prior to being counted in to perform the exam version. Note: the 10 seconds is pre-recorded on the audio track so the count-in for the exam version may begin while candidates are still practising. GENERAL MUSICIANSHIP QUESTIONS The Examiner will ask five questions on topics relating to the candidate’s choice of piece performed in the examination, and on general musical and instrumental knowledge. Music Knowledge At Grade 6 candidates will be asked to identify: The meaning of the tempo marking e.g. bpm, allegretto, poco moto etc. and key signature marking

Any note pitch name (bass and treble staves plus all ledger lines)

Any note and rest values within the chosen piece

The meaning and application of any expressive musical marking found in the piece including all dynamic markings, and rit., rall., a tempo, subito, simile, molto and poco a poco The construction of either a perfect or imperfect cadence, in the key of C or F major. The examiner will choose one cadence from the list and state the key. The candidate must then state the chord progression as chords from the chosen key Instrument and Stylistic Knowledge At Grade 6 candidates will be asked to: Identify the location, function and use of all pedals on the piano e.g. soft pedal, the sostenuto pedal, and the sustain pedal

Give a brief explanation of stylistic and technical considerations

Assessment Criteria Performance Pieces Attainment Band Distinction Merit Pass Below Pass Below Pass 2 Mark Range 18–20 15–17 12–14 6–11 0–5 Command of Instrument Consistently clear production of sound and even tone quality throughout Mostly clear production of sound and even tone quality overall Some clear production of sound and generally even tone quality Sound produced is unclear with uneven quality of tone produced No attempt and/or incomplete performance Sync or Pulse Performance consistently synchronised to the music, or an internal pulse maintained Performance mostly synchronised to the music, or an internal pulse maintained Performance sometimes synchronised to the music, or an internal pulse maintained Performance not synchronised to the music, or an internal pulse not maintained No attempt and/or incomplete performance Accuracy & Understanding all of the written music accurately performed or equivalent skills demonstrated throughout. Understanding of musical structure shown all of the time. Most of the written music accurately performed or equivalent skills demonstrated overall. Understanding of musical structure shown most of the time. Some of the written music accurately performed or equivalent skills generally demonstrated. Understanding of musical structure shown some of the time. Written music not accurately performed or equivalent skills not demonstrated. Understanding of musical structure not evidenced. No attempt and/or incomplete performance Style & Expression Consistently convincing projection of the music. Mostly convincing projection of the music. Some convincing projection of the music. Music not convincingly projected. No attempt and/or incomplete performance Technical Exercises Attainment Band Distinction Merit Pass Below Pass Below Pass 2 Mark Range 13–15 11–12 9–10 4–8 0–3 Command of Instrument Consistently clear production of sound and even tone quality throughout Mostly clear production of sound and even tone quality overall Some clear production of sound and generally even tone quality Sound produced is unclear with uneven quality of tone produced No attempt and/or incomplete performance Sync or Pulse Performance consistently synchronised to the music, or an internal pulse maintained Performance mostly synchronised to the music, or an internal pulse maintained Performance sometimes synchronised to the music, or an internal pulse maintained Performance not synchronised to the music, or an internal pulse not maintained No attempt and/or incomplete performance Accuracy & Understanding all of the written music accurately performed or equivalent skills demonstrated throughout. Understanding of musical structure shown all of the time. Most of the written music accurately performed or equivalent skills demonstrated overall.

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Understanding of musical structure shown most of the time. Some of the written music accurately performed or equivalent

skills generally demonstrated.

Understanding of musical structure shown some of the time. Written music not accurately performed or equivalent skills not demonstrated. Understanding of musical structure not evidenced. No attempt and/or incomplete performance General Musicianship Questions Attainment Band Distinction Merit Pass Below Pass Below Pass 2 Mark Range 5 correct responses 4 correct responses 3 correct responses 2 correct responses 0–1 correct responses Performance Certificate Attainment Band Distinction Merit Pass Below Pass Below Pass 2 Mark Range 18–20 15–17 12–14 6–11 0–5 Command of Instrument Consistently clear production of sound and even tone quality throughout Mostly clear production of sound and even tone quality overall Some clear production of sound and generally even tone quality Sound produced is unclear with uneven quality of tone produced No attempt and/or incomplete performance Sync or Pulse Performance consistently synchronised to the music, or an internal pulse maintained Performance mostly synchronised to the music, or an internal pulse maintained Performance sometimes synchronised to the music, or an internal pulse maintained Performance not synchronised to the music, or an internal pulse not maintained No attempt and/or incomplete performance Accuracy & Understanding All of the written music accurately performed or equivalent skills demonstrated throughout. Understanding of musical structure shown all of the time. Most of the written music accurately performed or equivalent skills demonstrated overall. Understanding of musical structure shown most of the time. Some of the written music accurately performed or equivalent skills generally demonstrated. Understanding of musical structure shown some of the time. Written music not accurately performed or equivalent skills not demonstrated. Understanding of musical structure not evidenced. No attempt and/or incomplete performance Style & Expression Consistently convincing projection of the music. Mostly convincing projection of the music. Some convincing projection of the music. Music not convincingly projected. No attempt and/or incomplete performance

rslawards.com - RSL Classical: Piano Grade 6