Recently ABRSM launched a new diploma piano exam known as ARSM. The examiners from ABRSM held seminars and events in Singapore’s music schools to encourage more candidates to sign up for this new diploma exam.
What is ARSM?
According to the examiners, this newly launched ARSM exam is a stepping stone for candidates who have completed their grade 8 practical exams and would like to continue their journey to obtaining a diploma in music. Unlike dipABRSM however, this ARSM exam contains only one section of 30 minutes recital. Candidates can choose their pieces from the same repertoire list of DipABRSM. Also, program notes writing, sight reading tests and viva voce sections have been removed. According to the examiner, they still expect the candidates to perform at the level of a professional pianist. Not only do they require accuracy of notes and rhythm, the communication aspect is also included in the marking criteria.
Communication In Music Exams
In my experience, many piano tutors and students do not understand what ‘communication’ means. It is stated as one of the marking criteria on the examiner’s marking form. It means stage presentation and how you carry yourself and express yourself on stage in general. It includes the way you walk, the way you bow, your dress code and page turning. Factors such as whether you look like a seasoned performer or you look uneasy on stage are also considered. He mentioned that candidates who memorised the music will definitely play more expressively and enjoyable than candidates who play from the scores as page turning can be quite disturbing when it is not properly done.
But looking at a typical Singapore student’s daily activities, it is hard to expect them to spend many hours every day memorising the music. From the examiner’s point of view, he will reward those candidates who play from memory with a higher score as professional piano recitals are performed without music score. It also means that the pianist has already studied every single bar of the music thoroughly and can interpret the style awareness perfectly.
Base on my experience, the above marking criteria is not only applied to ARSM diploma exam it also applies to Trinity diploma and London College of music’s diploma exams, as the same comments are made in the marking sheet.
ABRSM Diploma Exam Requirements
In fact, ABRSM has stated very clearly in the diploma exam’s requirements the following
1) Accuracy, continuity and fluency
Accuracy refers to the technical control and two hands tonality balance to produce consistent speed and rhythm, as well as a smoothness of performance. The candidates should choose an appropriate tempo and maintain consistency throughout the entire piece. Also to produce a good sense of performance directions, with accuracy of notes and rhythm, focus and well centred touch weight of every key. Finger slips and note errors will cause a loss of marks, in overall note errors of more than 10% throughout the entire performance will be considered failure for the exam.
2) Musical character and a sense of performance
Musical character must be built upon application of technical skills, which means the student must obtain a very strong base and foundation of technical skills before he or she can vividly convey the mood and stylistic expression to the listener. Strongly built foundation and good technical skills indicate the level of commitment and conviction evident in the piano performance.
Important Requirements In A Music Exam
From my experience, most students have focused too much on stylistic awareness and interpretation of the music and they neglect the building of foundation and accuracy of notes and rhythm. I had students who failed their diploma exams in the past and wanted to start lessons with me. But an analysis of their playing revealed that their notes and rhythm lack accuracy. Hence no matter how well they shaped the phrase and brought out the mood expressively, the note errors and distorted rhythm would make the phrases sound broken. During their exams, marks will be lost badly as a result. On the exam comment sheet the examiner also emphasised that it is important to produce firm and focused tone projection in order to score well before the candidates can express the mood of the pieces. In other words, candidates who were not that good in expressing the style and character but produce firm accurate notes and rhythm can score much better and pass the exam.
Besides accuracy of notes and rhythm, candidates will also be tested on their sense of musical character in performance where candidates who can memorise the music and express freely and confidently on stage will be awarded.
