Getting that ‘Plus’ grading (A+, B+, C+)What is a “Plus Grading” and how is it achieved? The answer is found in the Syllabus under the Objectives for each level, which outline the areas of achievement required and the detailed Grading Descriptors which report the candidate’s achievement against these objectives.

In Music the objectives are divided into three sections:

• Section I: Technical Work

• Section II: Studies, Pieces and Extra Lists

• Section III: Aural Tests, Sight Reading, General Knowledge

Planned and purposeful preparation in all sections is essential to gaining that Plus Grading.

Begin building these skills early in the exam preparation.

• It is a little late to discover two weeks prior to an exam that a student is unable to pitch notes, an essential skill in Aural Tests.

• General Knowledge information is more likely to be retained and understood if it is taught and tested during the process of learning a piece.

• Sight Reading is a skill that requires regular practice.

The Grading Descriptors report the candidate’s achievement against the syllabus objectives in terms of musicianship, security of technique (including intonation, tone, phrasing, articulation, rhythm) and stylistic awareness.

The additional achievement required to secure a “Plus Grading” is outlined in each plus grading descriptor and begins with the wording “In addition”.

The A grade demonstrates superior achievement in all sections.

In addition, the A+ grade demonstrates outstanding achievement in all sections, including performance flair, consistent technical fluency and penetrating stylistic insight.

The B grade demonstrates overall creditable achievement with some unevenness.

In addition, the B+ grade demonstrates meritorious achievement against most of the syllabus objectives.

The C grade demonstrates an overall adequate level of achievement with considerable unevenness between sections.

In addition, the C+ grade indicates more than adequate achievement against some of the syllabus objectives in each section.

Explore the details of the Syllabus Objectives and Grading Descriptors and obtain those “Plus Gradings”.

Jane Burgess AMEB Examiner in Piano

On top note 3

Piano for Leisure Series 4Piano for Leisure Series 4 is now available for examination and Dr Melanie Walters was keen to explore the new repertoire for her piano students. She attended Tim Topham’s workshop at the AMEB’s Information Day and began using the Series. She shares her views below.

Tim, the Grade Book Consultant for Series 4, is a Melbourne-based piano teacher who is particularly interested in creativity in piano tuition. He hosts the excellent Creative Piano Teaching Podcast, which I would highly recommend to all instrumental music teachers, not just piano teachers – I use many of the ideas from the podcast with my flute students as well as with my piano students.

At the Information Day session, Tim explained his approach to his selection of music, demonstrated much of Grade Book repertoire, and gave examples of creative activities based on selected pieces. The most significant development in the new series is the improved integration of the performance notes. Rather than having the notes at the back of the book, the

performance notes immediately follow each piece, and have been divided in elements and challenges, notes for the student, notes for the teacher, and creative practice ideas. The creative practice ideas not only encourage creativity and a more holistic approach to learning repertoire, but are also a practical way for students to learn concepts such as modes, blues scales, form and structure, and various musical styles.

This new Series includes an excellent selection of music. There is an eclectic mix of styles, covering classical, pop, rock, jazz, blues, musical theatre, movie themes, and folk music, a good gender balance in the composers included in the books, and excellent representation of Australian composers and living composers. A variety

of rhythmic concepts and meters are introduced from as early as Preliminary, and there are plenty of arrangements of well-known songs and pieces including I Still Call Australia Home, I Dreamed a Dream, and Mad World.

The combination of engaging music, and the creative practice ideas in Piano for Leisure Series 4 makes these books an excellent addition to the syllabus.

Dr Melanie Walters Teacher using AMEB syllabi in Flute and Piano

www.ameb.adelaide.edu.au