I’m having thoughts about doing a performance assessment type exam around or just above G8 level and there seem to be 3 main options;

ABRSM Performance Assessment.
As far as I can make out you only get 15 minutes or less counting the time for the dialogue with the examiner. That doesn’t seem to be enough time for reasonably advanced pieces. Am not clear whether you have to do 3 pieces or it the whole choice is completely free.

Trinity Guildhall Performer’s Certificate.
25-30 minutes. 4 pieces from an extensive list of quite challenging pieces in a variety of styles. Somewhere between G8 and diploma standard I imagine.

LCM Leisure Play Exams
Advanced = G7, Proficiency = G8. same time allowance as for grade exam.
4 pieces, 3 from the set lists of the equivalent grades and one of similar standard, own choice or also from list.

Do any of you have experience with any of these exams that you could share?

Isn't the ABRSM performance assessment a non graded exam for adult learners who are 'too nervous' to go down exam route straight away or are not interested in grades and just want some 'feed-back'?? where you play for 10 minutes then examiner gives comments and comment sheet there and then?? a bit like a 'prep test' but for adults? I thought it was.
If it is then it is definitely not what you are looking for I would imagine, not if you are grade 8 standard.

I've used these a lot of with pupils and they have always been a very positive experience. They are marked out of 100 with the usual grade categories of unsuccesful, pass, merit and distinction.

Which instrument do you play?

Yes - I am following the Leisure Play exams through with two of my pupils with great success. Actually, they have turned out to be more confident performers than those who have taken the usual grade route, and they have a huge selection of pieces to choose from for school concerts etc.

I like the wide range of styles in the syllabus, although the 4 chosen for an exam should cover a variety. Oh and one of my pupils has performed his own composition for piece 4 a couple of times - option not available for Grade 8 (I think).

All the best

Thank you for your reply upbeat, I play piano.

jojo; Thank you, but if you have the impression that they're just for "nervous adults" then I think ABRSM needs to get in a marketing consultant!
And if they're appropriate for any level, then surely there should be a longer time allowance for more advanced repertoire?

Thanks busybee; also in these exams have you the choice of playing one piece from memory instead of a viva, or am I mixing up with some other exam?

True jojo, I did a couple of these, one before my grade 8 so I could air my pieces and another 'to air' grade six pieces before my teaching dip.

Theres more room for discussion than in prep test and it is suitable for any level as long as you don't want to play anything too long. The examiner asks why you are doing the PA to get an idea of the right sort of feedback I think. I told him that it was because of exam nerves and he asked what level I thought I was at so that the comments were made with that in mind.
You can play any number of pieces.
I did one instead of grade 7 and chose 3 contrasting pieces.
I was pleased that a comment was made about how I played each piece in the right style as this gave me some confidence that I am able to understand how different styles of music should be played.

AS I'd never seen the suggestion that the 15 minutes had to allow for discussion and writing time I think my programme was almost that length.

For piano there is a huge amount of repertoire to choose your pieces from - you can use any pieces out of the current syllabus for the grade you are taking and there is also a supplementary list of more popular/jazzy numbers too.

The exam is just 4 pieces and that's it. No aural, sight-reading, scales or viva. The experience is more like a recital than an exam. As upbeat says there is a wide variety of rep to choose from. My pupil enjoys jazz and blues styles, although he will play classical as well. A fantastic book I discovered through using the syllabus is 'The Jazz Piano master' by John Kember for Grade 6 +. I think its fine to play from memory - I would have to check the syllabus to see if extra marks are awarded for a successful memorized performance.

Thank you all very much.

LCM seems to offer the greatest flexibilty in choice of pieces, as long as they vary in style and make an interesting programme.

TG also has a big list but with no completely free choice The list seems somewhat more demanding, but that may be only because I'm more familiar with and have played some of the pieces from the LCM list.

Any opinions from someone who's done Trinity?

Just one more thought I forgot about - to get a balanced programme for the LCM Leisure Play the student is meant to choose from the standard Grade lists, to combine with the Leisure Play list. I think that's the only way to bring in the important classical reperotire.

I am thinking about using some Trinity grades next year. There is a lot to investigate with all the recent changes.

I believe the choice is completely free.


It's not a prep test for adults, as it can be used at any level (including diploma candidates). (And prep test can be taken by adults anyway)

It can be used as a testing ground for possible exam or recital pieces, with constructive but instant feedback.

I have considered doing one with pieces at several levels with the intention of finding out what kind of standard I can manage in an exam room without all the knobs falling off and still being convincing to an examiner.

Keep us updated won't you dorfmouse - with the path you decide to take and how you get on?

(Planning to do any Grieg for this by any chance?)

Best of luck!
H

Yes, I've read it more carefully now. You choose at least 3 of the pieces from the equivalent grade lists and the additional repertoire list, but from any or all parts of the lists. The 4th piece can be an own choice in any style, as long as it's equivalent standard, and can also be an original or own composition. The overall programme should be contrasted and balanced.



Thanks again for all your replies.

Well, I'm thinking I might have a go at the LCM Proficiency (G8) sometime next year. Probably as late as possible!! There are some pieces I really like and would like to bring up to performance standard ... Grieg's "An den Frühling" for one!
If I don't chicken out I'll let you know how I get on