E-Book - "How to get a Distinction at ABRSM" www.music-online.org.uk/2019/01/how-to-get-distinction-in-abrsm-exams.html
@MusicOnlineUK5 жыл бұрын
The same principles will apply to any exam board even if the exact marking systems may vary. Basically, be a musician, not a technician.
@onatsarca60854 жыл бұрын
I got it when i was 7 years old is it good result?
@MusicOnlineUK4 жыл бұрын
@@onatsarca6085 A distinction is a good result at any age.
@onatsarca60854 жыл бұрын
@@MusicOnlineUK Thanks. My teacher thinks im bad at piano but i'll show this result i hope he changes his mind
@ely71505 жыл бұрын
I got my Grade 8 Piano results back hehe. Thanks to your videos I managed to get a distinction ^^
@MusicOnlineUK5 жыл бұрын
That's amazing, congratulations. And thanks for taking the time to leave your gratitude in this comment, very appreciated.
@sukyoungjang84875 жыл бұрын
Wowzee!
@haneenboumenjel3 жыл бұрын
Yippeee! My exam is tomorrow and no matter how much I try I will still be super scared ;-;
@ely71503 жыл бұрын
@@haneenboumenjel Being nervous is normal >
@haneenboumenjel3 жыл бұрын
@@ely7150 I did my exam today, it went alright but I made quite a bad mistake on my first piece and I got some things wrong in my aural tests, your advice helped a lot though thank you!
@meiqinlin97415 жыл бұрын
The funny thing about this video is how my music teacher tells me to first sight read the notes and rhythm and then adding the dynamics etc. when learning a piece. The even more funny thing is how I trust your video more than my music teacher who is currently a student at the the royal academy of music
@MusicOnlineUK5 жыл бұрын
I am also an ex-student of the Royal Academy of Music and plus 35 years of music teaching experience so take your choice
@meiqinlin97415 жыл бұрын
I think that your tips and advice are more accurate because although my music teacher is very talented, she isn’t the best person that I would ask for help. However, some of your advice is what my teacher had said, so it’s ok. I would say that I would follow this method, however I’m going to take my grade 8 piano exam, so it is a bit late for that. Oh well, at least I can use this method for the future if I learn other pieces. I will also make sure that I will try to be confident in the exam as you said.
@typianoland3203 Жыл бұрын
Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experiences. Your video not only helps students to get a distinction but also allows me to teach my students better. ☺
@ritabanerjee91032 жыл бұрын
The second performance has more of character to it. There is frequent change in intonation, giving the piece a shape. The first performance in contrast, is mechanical.
@thesimplestoic2 жыл бұрын
I think that perfectly illustrates what you say. The first piece, I just couldn't listen any more after about 30s. Poor examiner, if they had to listen to that multiple times in a day. Your piece was a joy to listen too.
@MusicOnlineUK2 жыл бұрын
Thanks for your input
@PeterHontaru5 жыл бұрын
I think that Beethoven himself (even in the later stages of his life) would hear the difference between your video and Alan’s. I’m only going for a grade 5 exam next (aiming for distinction again) and the differences are clear. Sounds like one is being played by a computer and the other one by someone that has actually been practicing and cares about both phrasing and voicing on top of pitch and rhythm!
@MusicOnlineUK5 жыл бұрын
Thanks for coming back and doing the "homework". I wish you success in your Grade 5.
@kei59854 жыл бұрын
Luv jazz, i remember back in the day all the last c pieces were amazing
@LpsAster5 жыл бұрын
wish i knew all this before i got into any of my exams - feels like a shame, i’ve taken five exams by now and i feel like it could’ve been so much of a better experience for me. anyway will save this and keep it in mind for the future
@MusicOnlineUK5 жыл бұрын
Glad you found it useful.
@petefurness5 жыл бұрын
The interpretation was so much better in the first performance, more expression and a clear involvement in the piece being played.
@MusicOnlineUK5 жыл бұрын
Thanks for your input
@yashkotecha776 ай бұрын
What? Definitely not
@perpetuaa34932 жыл бұрын
Thank you. This video really helped me in my performance grade 1 piano. I got a merit not a distinction but without the tips in this video I think I would have only got a pass.
@MusicOnlineUK2 жыл бұрын
Congratulations, glad it helped
@Alex-xe3dx5 жыл бұрын
RIP ALAN CHAN, THIS MAN WAS MURDERED BY MUSIC ONLINE UK XD LOL
@Alex-xe3dx5 жыл бұрын
thanks for the heart
@MusicOnlineUK5 жыл бұрын
@@Alex-xe3dx Well thanks for your supportive words.
@adam47574 жыл бұрын
Alan Chan is an absolutely appalling musician
@grainnel22765 жыл бұрын
I've just done my grade 4 saxophone exam, although I don't thi k I got a distinction (I am a nervous exam taker) this helped calm me down and reassure me that I knew the material. Thank you so much!!
@MusicOnlineUK5 жыл бұрын
Thanks for taking the time to express your appreciation. Let me know when you get the results.
@LaCarusiella5 ай бұрын
I believe it's a gift...you either have it or not. Anyone can learn the notes but the rest you can't learn. It has to come to you naturally
@photonatjag Жыл бұрын
Many seem to say the second video, I think the performance on the first is more confident and musical (if a little fast). Either, I've got it wrong, or the videos are wrong the wrong way. This doesn't just help with exams, these criteria help with general performance as well. One comment in the video was something like 'be involved with the music', which I see many performers fail on just because they are playing an easy bit of music. It's the same for pop music with live bands.
@rebeccaday376811 ай бұрын
One of the interesting things about these videos was the first being on an electric piano and the second a live one. I actually thought the first one was more technically accurate but also showed more musicality. This piece - which I don't know - seemed to have a relentless rhythm through most of it and the second performance, apart from missing a few notes here and there, faltered at times in the even-ness of the rhythm. There were fewer dynamic variations in the second performance too, so I would mark 1 as a distinction and 2 a pass. This is marked from the heart as I am taking Grade 6 in 4 weeks, have a Heller Prelude to play where I often find I cannot achieve the consistent rhythm that I am aiming for and since I have an electric piano but have lessons on a living one (and exam on a Grand living one), the transition in terms of key weighting is marked. I could see similarities between my errors and some of the errors in the second video. Thank-you for these videos they are all extremely useful.
@darrendaypiano87704 жыл бұрын
Good insights and helpful reminders to search for quality!
@MusicOnlineUK4 жыл бұрын
Glad it was helpful!
@dennisdelosriosoakes5 жыл бұрын
This answered many of the questions I had about choosing and working through the pieces section of the exam. Homework: 1) Pitch, 2) Tone, 3) Time, 4) Shape, 5) Performance. The first performance conveyed more assurance and confidence than the second performance also the tempo was faster and the notes had better contrast and clarity.
@MusicOnlineUK5 жыл бұрын
Thank you Dennis, a good answer. The examiner definitely credits extra marks for a confident performance.
@gonferaburton14714 жыл бұрын
I had to listen to both these performances so many times as I could hardly believe they were both playing the same piece. My mother was a music teacher (piano and guitar). I played piano until 14 (when I regrettably quit). I got no enjoyment whatsoever from the first piece (Chan) don’t know who played the second piece but it was so much more enjoyable. It has musicality and I felt it was played with expression. The first seemed only technically accurate (I assume?). I have been taking up the piano on and off over the years. Please tell me I am right or I will give up now.
@MusicOnlineUK4 жыл бұрын
Yes you are right. Thanks for your input and good luck with your future studies.
@FireFoxGaming565 жыл бұрын
Hi! Thank you for this helpful video on how to get a distinction in your exam pieces. I got 23/30 in my first piece and 26/30 on my second two pieces at Grade 7 piano - do you reckon that is a decent result?
@MusicOnlineUK5 жыл бұрын
Yes, especially at grade 7.
@FireFoxGaming565 жыл бұрын
MusicOnline UK thanks. Looking forward to going through your playlist :D
@rachaelong37393 жыл бұрын
I’ve never failed an exam or never got a distinction. I realise the reason why I never get a distinction because I focus on the notes, fingerings and rhythms first and only add the details at the end, so it’s auto pilot. For the next exam I will learn the details at the same time as I learnt the notes, rhythm, notes. Iam really bad at aural is it possible to get a distinction if you failed the aural?
@MusicOnlineUK3 жыл бұрын
You make it harder, but not impossible.
@rachaelong37393 жыл бұрын
@@MusicOnlineUK How to make it to a distinction of you not good with your aural, if you do pass the aural but not a high mark?
@MusicOnlineUK3 жыл бұрын
@@rachaelong3739 Try this www.music-online.org.uk/2019/01/how-to-get-distinction-in-abrsm-exams.html?m=1
@rachaelong37393 жыл бұрын
@@MusicOnlineUK How do you make sure your nerves don’t get in the way of you getting a distinction?
@mypianofavourites16355 жыл бұрын
Homework Part 1 = Name Five (5) Elements for a Distinction. Answer = 1) Pitch, 2) Tone, 3) Time, 4) Shape, 5) Performance. additional information Distinction requires the performance to 'Stand Out' with Excellence that sets the performance apart from others. Posted 17th February 2019
@MusicOnlineUK5 жыл бұрын
So what differences did you hear in the two performances that demonstrate this "set apart performance"?
@jsmnezh6 ай бұрын
Hello, I’m taking my grade 6 exam tomorrow… is there any advice for how to improve sight reading? I’m really bad at it. Aural too, I’ve watched most of the videos on the aural parts but I’m not confident on it yet.
@thesavageonels91042 жыл бұрын
I've never got a distinction. I did grade 1-5 in 1 year skipping grade 2 and 4 with a "less capable teacher". Found another teacher and finished grade 6 with the highest so far at 117 and grade 7 hopfully a merit at least
@tiplee36115 жыл бұрын
Pitch Time Tone Shape Performance :)
@MusicOnlineUK5 жыл бұрын
Now compare the two performances and say "what makes a distinction", based on these 5 elements.
@adam4757 Жыл бұрын
Agree with you about picking pieces which inspire you/take your initial interest, instead of ones you think are easier. I picked a B piece for my Grade 7 based on thinking its relatively easy. Problem is it doesn't interest me therefore out of all three pieces its under practiced and therefore nowhere near as musical as it really should be. Won't be making that mistake again!
@MusicOnlineUK Жыл бұрын
Have you done the exam yet, would be interesting how marks compare with other pieces.
@musicalgenie4805 жыл бұрын
What if you played a piece too fast in an ABRSM exam? I played C1(Rektor Melodie Ludowe) for my teacher today, and he told me that the tempo was too fast. I want to know how much points would be taken off if I played the piece faster than 168bpm.
@MusicOnlineUK5 жыл бұрын
The important thing is that you convey the style and character of the piece according to the composer's original intentions. Metronome marks are only "suggestions"
@musicalgenie4805 жыл бұрын
@@MusicOnlineUK And another question: My teacher also said yesterday that the ABRSM exam was similar to a piano competition in the sense that it's very strict and you can't be creative. On Wednesday my teacher also said that my singing voice isn't that good and to improve it I need to open my mouth more. According to him, this will give the examiner the impression that I'm more musical than somebody else, thus giving me more points. I'm telling you this because this doesn't sound right. Is there any truth to what he said?
@MusicOnlineUK5 жыл бұрын
@@musicalgenie480 First of all, I disagree about being creative. You're teacher is wrong. The marking criteria for ABRSM specifically states that marks are awarded for "vivid communication of the character and style" and this is impossible without a creative / musical performance. Many early music for example has no dynamic markings, but tdynamics are required for a good mark. How can you add dynamics to an unmarked score without being creative. Very often, other pieces are marked with the words, "slurs and dynamics are editorial suggestion" - an open invitation to being creative. Regarding singing, opening your mouth is a good idea, not because it makes you sound more musical, but because you will produce a clearer more distinct pitch. However, rather than thinking about opening your mouth, I would recommend starting the note with a consonant sound like "dah" or "la". This in itself will automatically open your mouth and the hard beginning of the note will make it easier to sing in tune.
@musicalgenie4805 жыл бұрын
@@MusicOnlineUK Thank you so much. I knew that something was fishy. Thanks for your videos
@haneenboumenjel3 жыл бұрын
My grade 5 exam is tomorrow and I want to get a distinction since I got a pass in grade 4
@MusicOnlineUK3 жыл бұрын
Good luck
@Freshming19964 жыл бұрын
Hi Sir, I have problems playing the semiquaver beats as my hands movement muscle tends to slid down easily. Is there any solutions how can I play the notes easily ?
@MusicOnlineUK4 жыл бұрын
Try this kzbin.info/www/bejne/inWZo5Rno9J3erM
@jackminto70625 жыл бұрын
Alan Chen?
@MusicOnlineUK5 жыл бұрын
Couldn't possibly say 😉
@surfnatalie85 жыл бұрын
I like the second performance much more! From the very first sounds it gives the solid impression of style, phrasing and excellent timing! This is a dynamic play! The first, Alan's performance looses quite a bit of notes in the left hand,creating gaps in phrasing. The piece sounds dull, slow, no "coockoo" («Kuckuckssonate») effect. Technically the first performer is not great here, as the tempo marking states "Presto"!!!
@MusicOnlineUK5 жыл бұрын
Thanks for your input Natalia
@surfnatalie85 жыл бұрын
@@MusicOnlineUK Was my answer wrong????
@JuuC5 жыл бұрын
I really really need an answer to my question, do I need to bring my ABRSM song book and Aural Test book to my exam? I'm doing grade 5 in singing and it's my first exam
@MusicOnlineUK5 жыл бұрын
Just bring the pieces, not Aural
@JuuC5 жыл бұрын
@@MusicOnlineUK are they going to ask me the same exercises that come in the aural book??
@MusicOnlineUK5 жыл бұрын
No these are just examples of what it will be like not exactly what it will be.
@annieweng89565 жыл бұрын
Pitch, shape, Time, Tone and performance.
@MusicOnlineUK5 жыл бұрын
Correct, but that's only part of the homework, click 6:19 for the rest.
@allyssayuen2 жыл бұрын
A good performance is consistent, controlled and flows from start till the end of the piece. A poorly performance is mechanical, lack dynamics and expressions.
@justafand21785 жыл бұрын
Does this applies for Trinity Piano Exams?
@MusicOnlineUK5 жыл бұрын
Although the mark scheme and exact criteria for Trinity are slightly different the same principles apply and if you put into practice the advice given in this video it would enable you to get a distinction in both ABRSM or Trinity exams
@annieweng89565 жыл бұрын
I think the first performance is better
@MusicOnlineUK5 жыл бұрын
If you can identify what in particular made it better it will help you when you prepare your pieces for the exam.
@levitagodage56014 жыл бұрын
The first video is a bit boring and the other one was very expressive and joyful (I love your videos by the way)
@MusicOnlineUK4 жыл бұрын
Thank you. Are you taking an exam soon?
@levitagodage56014 жыл бұрын
@@MusicOnlineUK yes
@MusicOnlineUK4 жыл бұрын
Good luck. I hope my videos have given you more of an idea of what the examiner is looking for.
@levitagodage56014 жыл бұрын
@@MusicOnlineUK They have and also thank you so much
@凱-b4u4 жыл бұрын
the problem is, my teacher chose them for me, but im kinda fine with that, it is always the same, most people play a1, b2 and c3
@MusicOnlineUK4 жыл бұрын
A teacher may have an insight into what pieces might suit you best, or maybe they are just the pieces that the teacher is more comfortable with. I would still always recommend that the student should choose the pieces that inspire them the most.
@zhaoxinyang43334 жыл бұрын
Help meee exam in two hours!!!!!
@MusicOnlineUK4 жыл бұрын
Forget about the notes and concentrate on the music.
@qy47304 жыл бұрын
Tone time pitch shape and performance. The first recording was clearly the good one. The tone of the second one was a bit bumpy and the tempo wasn’t right because it should be faster. The shape wasn’t that good either
@yongfenglai83245 жыл бұрын
very usefull
@catherinelangley41104 жыл бұрын
I preferred the second performance - although there were perhaps a few stumbles I felt the musical shape was often more enjoyable and it was played with more feeling in parts. She also did not turn the pages quite so frantically as the first person!
@saxdiva_Barb93155 жыл бұрын
I think more elements of phrasing, dynamics etc. were observed in the first performance. The second performance was beautiful but played too fast. There was no contrast everything was played at one level.
@MusicOnlineUK5 жыл бұрын
Exactly, for a distinction it's not just playing the notes but all the elementsof performance as you mentioned are necessary.
@maitreyitaduri62474 жыл бұрын
I got my grade 5 exam in 2 hours, help!!
@MusicOnlineUK4 жыл бұрын
How did it go
@eyuliani5 жыл бұрын
How about this grade 3 piece, ABRSM Grade 3 Piano B2, Allegretto Grazioso : kzbin.info/www/bejne/qqu0lWdrmLZngc0
@MusicOnlineUK5 жыл бұрын
If you would like an appraisal of any of your pieces I offer this service here www.music-online.org.uk/p/skype-lessons.html
@moongonemadmode10675 жыл бұрын
hi humans for those doing a violin exam with abrsm, I would highly recommend a youtuber caused yushan li, she plays wonderfully, exactly like a CD would :)
@shlor30253 жыл бұрын
The second performance didn't have a chance after the bright and pristine first performance. The articulation, energy, voicing , speed and tone were great in the first. the second video felt so clunky and almost clumsy afterwards. I think he needs more time to practice..
@MusicOnlineUK3 жыл бұрын
Thanks for your feedback
@shlor30253 жыл бұрын
@@MusicOnlineUK thanks for the heart ! If you don't mind me asking, how long did it take for you to learn the piece?
@EJP-ft2rp3 жыл бұрын
Pitch Time Tone Shape Performance
@MusicOnlineUK3 жыл бұрын
Correct
@tudorconducta19294 жыл бұрын
I am afraid I disagree with the idea that one should go looking for recordings before they've even learnt the notes. As you rightfully say, you end up copying performances and it's therefore important that you listen to good recordings, but even if you do listen to a good recording, is our purpose really just to copy other people's ideas and thoughts? I find it is far more constructive to learn the piece first, spend lots of time with the score, with everything the composer left for us, try to decipher the message ourselves, form a conception, a vision about the piece, and only then look for inspiration in recordings, because then you will perceive the recordings as options. When you have no idea of the piece, when you haven't even looked at the score, you'll immediately just absorb whatever the performer is doing. You'll assume they're doing whatever the composer has indicated. If you DO know the score really well, you'll be able to listen critically, and to observe that yes, perhaps they're doing that diminuendo with a little bit of rallentando, but that's their choice, it's not something required by the score. Everything else in your presentation is spot on, thank you so much!
@MusicOnlineUK4 жыл бұрын
Interesting thoughts, and what if you listen to a variety of recordings? Furthermore, I believe the situation you describe requires some maturity, many people watching this video might be younger kids or even late starting adults doing a Grade 1
@tudorconducta19294 жыл бұрын
@@MusicOnlineUK I always encourage students to listen to a variety of recordings, of course, but always after they’ve made up their own idea about the piece, and they went past the first stages of grasping the notes. My solution is to encourage them to get a feel for the entire piece, from the beginning. Like you said, don’t just learn the notes... for example, first check the tempo indication. Yes, you may not be able to play it at that speed from the start, but what does it tell you about the character of the piece as a whole? What do the dynamics tell you, even in that bar that you can’t play just yet? Build the piece as a whole, not just learning bar 1, then bar 2, then bar 3... and not just with the notes. I couldn’t agree more with the idea that music should be learnt with everything, from day one - with the articulation, phrasing, dynamics...
@JanniDubbs4 жыл бұрын
It has saddened and disappointed me extremely to witness an excellent teacher/youtuber see fit to put one of his colleagues down in such an unprofessional manner. Surely you can explain what you mean without using others in this shocking way?
@MusicOnlineUK4 жыл бұрын
I think the truth needs to be told and I wouldn't even consider this person as a colleague since there are no musical skills shown at all. It is because of lesser quality channels like this that people do not understand the required standard and without calling out what is wrong people will never understand.
@lohyinheng76214 жыл бұрын
@@MusicOnlineUK Well said!
@tudorconducta19294 жыл бұрын
If the said colleague always records the pieces as quickly as possible, without any care for quality, just so that they are the first to post them, and get likes and views, then they are doing a massive damage to the community of grade candidates, and they should be called out...
@CRb6773 жыл бұрын
Hate Alan Chen ! Tips here! When you search anything you just need to add “ - “ minus sign like -Alan -Chen and then you won’t see his related videos