Piano Guidance
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What is the average age for Grade 5 piano?

This also states that the 'typical Grade 5 practical candidate is 14 years old'.

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What does a Steinway B cost?

Model B: Measuring 6′ 10 1⁄2″, the Model B Steinway grand piano is a popular choice for serious pianists and piano technicians. The Model B is...

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Later today I will be publishing our ABRSM and Rockschool exam results from the July Summer session. In the meantime, here’s some interesting information taken from the ABRSM web site about the number of candidates entering for graded exams by instrument. You can see just how popular the piano is in the UK and also what grades candidates achieved at examinations. As a keen harpsichordist, it’s a shame that only 15 students entered exams in 2009. I’m hoping to boost those numbers by getting more pianists learning the harpsichord too! I organise harpsichord competitions for musicians of all ages and abilities as well as workshops at Handel House Museum and Peregrine’s Pianos.

1) Entries by instrument/subject.

2009 entries by instrument including graded music exams, Prep Test and Performance Assessment Instrument Entries Piano 124,090 Theory of Music 45,275 Violin 35,587 Flute 28,832 Singing 27,657 Clarinet 23,022 Alto Saxophone 10,812 Cello 8,166 Trumpet 7,821 Guitar 5,035 B Flat Cornet 3,401 Descant Recorder 2,897 Oboe 2,768 Trombone 2,459 Viola 2,072 Jazz Piano 1,803 Horn 1,393 Harp 1,392 Jazz Alto Sax 1,209 Bassoon 1,077 Double Bass 1,033 E Flat Horn 960 Euphonium 651 Treble Recorder 574 Tenor Saxophone 509 Organ 490 Percussion 479 Baritone 402 Tuba 379 Practical Musicianship 290 Jazz Clarinet 268 Soprano Saxophone 257 Jazz Trumpet 212 Jazz Flute 172 Jazz Tenor Saxophone 119 Jazz Trombone 53 Bass Trombone 22 Jazz Cornet 22 Jazz Soprano Sax 16 Baritone Saxophone 15 Harpsichord 15 E Flat Soprano Cornet 7 Jazz Baritone Sax 3 Jazz Flugelhorn 2

2) Practical exam statistics

2009 Grade Pass Merit Distinction Fail Total 1 29,833 29,822 14,982 1,253 75,890 2 25,893 19,269 7,370 1,646 54,178 3 22,506 16,262 6,016 1,714 46,498 4 16,337 10,819 4,119 1,610 32,885 5 15,116 9,318 3,772 1,953 30,159 6 6,044 4,258 1,948 855 13,105 7 4,053 3,033 1,782 701 9,569 8 3,307 2,851 2,542 858 9,558 271,842

3) Theory Exam statistics

2009 Grade Pass Merit Distinction Fail Total 1 1,004 1,886 4,312 385 7,587 2 615 1,414 2,881 183 5,093 3 1,212 1,662 1,409 533 4,816 4 773 915 636 339 2,663 5 7,709 7,528 3,695 3,094 22,026 6 433 136 27 246 842 7 121 74 16 21 232 8 143 88 12 96 339 43,598 I believe that the average age for a candidate taking Grade 1 piano is 10. I cannot find the exact reference for this, although there is mention of this in an old copy of ‘Libretto‘, a magazine published by the ABRSM. This also states that the ‘typical Grade 5 practical candidate is 14 years old’. ABRSM’s graded music exams for individual instruments, singing and Theory as well as diplomas and Music Medals are accredited by the regulatory authorities in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and are part of the National Qualifications Framework. In Australia, Canada and South Africa, ABRSM exams can be used for credit towards the relevant qualifications taken by students completing compulsory secondary education. The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) includes Grades 6–8 in the tariff for UK university and college entrance. We offer 1-to-1 Music Aptitude Test lessons for students applying to schools such as Ashmole, Kingsdale, Marylebone, Twyford, Moulsham and many more.

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Can piracy land you in jail?

Piracy is a federal crime. This means that you can go to prison for more than a year, if convicted. It also means you could be facing hefty financial fines.

Piracy is essentially illegally stealing or sharing files that you haven’t paid for. In the parlance of our times, we think of piracy as involving music and video files online. When it comes to piracy charges and convictions, two separate elements have to be satisfied. First, the prosecutor must prove that piracy (the theft) was willful and intentional. Did you intend to illegally steal the music? Second, did you, yourself, personally download or share the files? If you have a computer that more than one person uses, it might be difficult to prove that you were actually the one that committed the piracy.

Piracy and Cyber Crimes

Piracy is one of the most common types of cyber crimes. Cyber crimes can include just about any crime or criminal activity that takes place online. This type of cyber crime deals with theft of certain types of intellectual property. Illegally downloading music is probably the most popular form of piracy and cyber crime. Illegal file sharing can also occur with games, movies, television shows and a variety of different types of software. Any time a file is shared or downloaded illegally online, that’s piracy and a cyber crime.

Illegally Downloading Music

In its heyday, illegal downloading and sharing of music was out of control. Initially, Napster was the preferred file sharing, peer-to-peer software of choice. A variety of other peer-to-peer file sharing websites and pieces of software followed. As soon as one was shut down, another one popped up. Limewire, and other programs filled the space that Napster left behind. If you or somebody you love has been accused of illegally downloading or sharing music, you need to speak with an skilled criminal defense attorney with cyber crimes case experience immediately.

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