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Which is better Trinity or ABRSM?

If you want to pursue a career in music or you want to build a solid music foundation is better to go with the ABRSM. The ABRSM piano diploma syllabus seems to be more complete since the early stages. The sight-reading is compulsory from Grade 1 whilst in Trinity it becomes compulsory from Grade 6.

piano-composer-teacher-london.co.uk - Is it better to learn ABRSM or Trinity syllabus? - Piano Lessons

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ABRSM vs Trinity

ABRSM or TRINITY?

This is a question that we all come across as teachers when wondering about piano exams in the UK and, I think it is not a matter of better or not but they are different according to your goals and targets in your musical education . If you want to pursue a career in music or you want to build a solid music foundation is better to go with the ABRSM . The ABRSM piano diploma syllabus seems to be more complete since the early stages. The sight-reading is compulsory from Grade 1 whilst in Trinity it becomes compulsory from Grade 6. I will try going in order through the different parts of the test.

A little bit about ABRSM and Trinity

What does ABRSM stand for? The initials are for "Associate Board of the Royal Schools of Music", and it's one of the five boards accredited by Ofqual (The UK's Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation) to award graded music exams. The other four official boards are the London College of Music, RSL Awards (Rockschool Ltd.), the Music Teachers Board and of course, Trinity College London. More than 600.000 students take the ABRSM music exams every year in over 93 countries. It also has an editorial that produces music syllabus, sheet music and exam papers. Trinity offers graduate diplomas in different performing arts and also for the learning and teaching of English, in more than 70 countries. Trinity is part of the Trinity Laban Conservatory of Music and Dance and began offering exams and diplomas in 1877.

SCALES & ARPEGGIOS

¿Trinity or Abrsm? Which one is the best piano grade exam in the UK? In the ABRSM diploma and its syllabus for piano, there are more keys to play in similar motion plus contrary motion and various chromatic scales. From Grade 6-8, thirds and sixth part are introduced alongside contrary motion scales in all keys and chromatic scales in contrary motion too. As for the Arpeggios, more keys are required plus first and second inversions in Grade 7 and 8. In Trinity piano exams, the numbers of scales and Arpeggios to performe are more limited but they require to perform them in different dynamics and articulation which encourage the musicality development. Also the number of contrary motion and chromatic scales are more limited than ABRSM. In the technical requirement there are three short exercises to be performed which focus on voicing, fingers strength, coordination, balance, wrist flexibility. As for the technical part of the test, it seems that ABRSM focuses on the technique, knowledge of the key signatures, fingers dexterity whilst Trinity seems to develop some aspects of technique alongside developing musicality.

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PIECES

it is quite evident that the ABRSM choice of repertoire is very classical and based on the tradition of classical composers except for the C list where it focuses on more jazzy, bluesy, dissonant, contemporary pieces. Trinity syllabus offers a wide range of pieces in the style of the Baroque, Classical or Romantic pieces composed by contemporary composers. However, there is also a few range of pieces by classical and romantic composers. It seems that the Trinity offers more appealing pieces for the modern taste. In both syllabuses, the requirement for the test is to perform three pieces in a varied range of mood and style.

SUPPORTING TESTS

Continuing with the Abrsm or Trinity choice, In ABRSM music exams, sight reading and Aural test are compulsory whilst in Trinity music exams, there is a wide range of choice amongs Aural Test, Musical knowledge, own composition and improvisation up to Grade 5. Also, Trinity offers Singing exams. From Grade 6, sight reading becomes compulsory. Again, it seems that Trinity focuses more on the musical development and creativity rather than the technique and theory knowledge. These come with Pros and Cons; I must admit that training a Trinity student for a Grade 5 sight reading from scratch is not easy task as I think it is a very good habit to start from the beginning as it is a skill that needs time to be developed and improved. At the same time, I enjoy teaching the Musical knowledge where the candidates are asked questions about dynamics, musical signs, key signature and modulations in the pieces they have performed. I think this is a very good way to improve a sense of analyzing the music one is performing. As for the Aural Test, the ABRSM exam requires a lot more work for non singers candidate as it is very important to develop the inner ear and be able to think about the sounds in your head and being able to reproduce them. In Trinity, there is not any singing involved and that can be easier for students who are shy in front of an examiner outside their comfort zone. I hope you will find these information helpful and a guide on your syllabus choice.

piano-composer-teacher-london.co.uk - Is it better to learn ABRSM or Trinity syllabus? - Piano Lessons

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