All About Grade 1 Piano: RCM (2015 syllabus)

[@bluedragonfire4960]

This was the first video I watched of you when I was at rcm 1. Now I'm at level 6! Your videos are very helpful!

[@sokamori28]

I really love how you explain stuff, this is what I've been looking for. I learned to play the piano as a kid but not seriously, so I can play but just "hunky-dory" and it never gave me much satisfaction. Now 20 years later I decided to take it up again, and I"m learning a lot from your channel, details that I've missed, so thank you!

[@LittleGreenPearl]

I am a new teacher and I'm so glad I discovered this channel!

[@juliannadoyle7171]

You have explained very well the process Thank you

[@alissaxu3405]

I just got to RCM level 1!

[@PianotvNet]

Congrats on completing musical kindergarten! :)

[@tanyaj6]

good job!!!!!!!!! 😆🤪😉😎🤩

[@creepybabby]

3 years later, how are you doing?

[@Playfulpat]

I got a 61 key keyboard about February of this year. I played trumpet in my school band so I already knew some theory, and I learned through some KZbin videos for a couple of months about piano. I decided to go do some lessons for real. When I went in my teacher told me to sightread some pieces, some simple ones, and she plopped me straight into RCM level one!

[@elguitarolerno]

Always worth doing the background work on the theory and history of the music. I got my grade 8 ABRSM in classical guitar when I was 15 (guitar RCM and ABRSM only go to grade 8), 29/30 for Bach, 27/30 for sor and 29/30 for Walton. Sight reading was laughable and could only shrug my shoulders for the aural. Settled for a merit when I should have easily got a distinction. Lesson learned the hard way

[@johnk8174]

You are good at explaining.

[@Hilushenka]

WOW..YOu are a fantastic talker...! Thanks...well explained and pleasure to listen ...

[@johna6648]

I'm a 65 year old beginner taking lessons using the Alfred's Basic Adult Piano Course Level 1 book. Would you have any idea how close this will get me to the RCM Grade 1?

[@psych0536]

did grade 1 exam last year, doing grade 2 exam in a few weeks, next year I'm not doing an exam and will focus on learning to compose and learning more musical techniques and famous pieces, then depending on how i do, i will do either grade 3 or 4 the year after that.

[@thekarmafarmer608]

Nice, clear instruction. Thank you

[@LewisFishman124]

This may be a silly question, but here goes: Are these exams "entrance" (minimum requirements to be able to work in a grade), or "finals" (things I should know as a result of having studying at a grade)? REALLY ENJOYING your videos! Thanks, from sunny Florida 🌞

[@thepianoplayer416]

Thanks for the helpful info. The last thing I don't like to generalize the level of sonatinas, sonatas or suites written by specific composers. Some movements out of a sonatina such as a fast movement would be harder to play at the ideal tempo than a slow movement. Once got into a discussion with an adult learner over the Clementi Sonatina in C which he suggested to be a beginner piece. According to my teacher, it's rated at RCM-3 so definitely not a beginner piece but not as high as a 6 either sort of low intermediate. Other Clementi sonatinas in other keys may be rated higher.

[@taylor4278]

Great video! Awesome info!

[@davidshimp5116]

Thanks for the great overview! I'm hoping to start into the RCM system soon, once I move back to Canada. I've been teaching myself for a little while but I know I'll benefit from doing it more systematically, since I'm pretty sure I'm missing quite a bit of vital technique and theory and stuff at the moment! Love your videos, suggestions, reviews, etc. They're so helpful, keep it up!

[@chrishercules3526]

Hello, have you created a video on how to understand the Metronome markings for most common songs in the grade 1 to 9 songs?

[@sadiegrater]

Is there an updated video for 2022 syllabus?

[@sonali9951]

Hi, can you do a video on more of the RCM exam grades? (Intermediate to advanced) Thanks!

[@michaelmcgill8104]

Thank you so much for this video! It was very informative. I would be interested in any others you do on ABRSM or other grade levels.

[@PianotvNet]

+Michael McGill Absolutely! I'm currently planning a level 1 ABRSM video. :)

[@glenndrodge6726]

How do you ensure in the exam that you are playing the minimum speed in the technical requirements? Can you bring in a metronome?

[@PianotvNet]

Nope, you just have to wing it. But they don't have a metronome either, so if you're playing just a little slow, you should be okay. If you practice your technique at more or less the same speed every day (whether with or without a metronome), you shouldn't have anything to worry about.

[@PianoMan10]

Thanks. It's probably best then to practice them consistently a bit above the minimum speed then?

[@PianotvNet]

PianoMan10 Exactly! That'll give you a little more leeway.

[@BruceCurrivan]

This video is really helpful thanks! However I was getting dizzy trying to see the books as you were just moving them around so quickly on the screen do you think you could edit the video and put a still picture of each book in the upper right hand corner so that the I can see it in a relaxed way? Thanks for the great work!

[@KeyZZZ]

hmmm I have a question. I've never taken a single piano class, But I do follow the RCM syllabus on my own. I've purchased all my theory, repertoire, exercises and sight reading and ear training booklets. I am currently playing at a level 8 and only struggle with a few exercises such as tonic four note chords and formula patterns. My music teacher (who is also a pianist) says I have good technique and should see a piano teacher. My only question is would I have to start all the from level 1?

[@PianotvNet]

Nope, definitely not - you can jump in at a grade 8 level if you want. From a grade 8 level onward you can't skip levels, but you can skip levels up to that point. The only thing is that you'll also need to do a corresponding theory exam (advanced rudiments) if you want to get your certificate!

[@Isabella-hp4mc]

i'm scared of my life for the exam because I have a slight learning disorder witch is affecting my piano playing because I can't memorize the notes and where the position of the note is

[@Isabella-hp4mc]

but I can learn a song if someone showed me but not off by notes ;(

[@PianotvNet]

+Basic Bella Well good luck with the exam! Maybe with time, understanding the notes will become a little easier?

[@zionj104]

Would that learning disorder be the cause of the misspelled witch? Not bullying here, just curious.

[@eyesontheprize6637]

My son played clarinet, tuba and guitar and couldn't read a note of music. He played by ear more than anything. Maybe you are one of those people.

[@eyesontheprize6637]

That link to the syllabus is outdated, doesn't work.

[@peterbell-irving2836]

Hello Allysia, I'm an adult beginner - I've got 3 Grade 1 pieces so far under my belt and I'm close to being ready to take the RCM exam, which I would like to do. I wonder, however, if its a good idea to learn more pieces from Grade 1 before moving on to Grade 2. Do many students do this? Thanks,

[@humphryshan9494]

Peter Bell-Irving I went straight to grade 2 after grade 1. With rcm it really isn’t a big jump until you get to the higher levels

[@russian-canadianfamily6895]

@@humphryshan9494 that’s a very true statement. I learned a few pieces in level 7 at the start of it, and they were my exam program. Level 8 I had like 8 pieces to learn at once about midway through. Just started level 9 and I have to play 9 pieces😢

[@patrickdunn4326]

Is that a recording of you playing Beethoven's 5th in the background? If so, which transcription is it? I really liked it! :)

[@davidbernalpianista]

How hard is Mozart sonata first movement K 545 in C major in this Royal College difficultly scale?

[@vanessa4619]

Gahhhhhhhhhhh exams are always so stressful in my level 7 exam my hands were cold so i went to wash em with hot water and they got cold again! If your hands r freezing, it makes it harder to make your fingers move quickly

[@josephrasmussen8832]

Do you have to start at grade 1?

[@majorscalemusiclessons7346]

This is a very helpful video, I have a few students who started with RCM at a level 4 or 5, late intermediate level playing. Where do you suggest to start "beginner" level students? I have a student who is midway through Bastien series level 2 and is playing all the technical requirements at level 1, however the repertoire at this level seems a bit too advanced. Would she be a better fit for Preparatory A or B?

[@memedreams8558]

Where do you even take the test?

[@PianotvNet]

If you go to the online website, it should tell you where your local tests are - it's different in every city. Usually hotels, music conservatories, places like that.

[@bemis23]

I have very little experience with RCM (my first experience with it was with my college piano teacher), and the closest teacher is too far to use. I really want my kids in the RCM program because of how comprehensive it is, even if we don't take proper exams. Would there be any other good online resources to help me learn how to use it with my children (I give them piano lessons)? This video was very helpful, but I still feel I need more help.

[@PianotvNet]

The best resource they have is their piano syllabus: www.google.ca/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwj0t96ij8zRAhXC8YMKHVE3CyMQFggcMAA&url=https%3A%2F%2Fexaminations.rcmusic.ca%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2Ffiles%2FRCM-Piano-Syllabus-2015.pdf&usg=AFQjCNE1OgenxPz1xXAcpsOjWxU0SiCXpw&sig2=Z7Iq4YNYSksvjbzIgCF0gA It lists every song choice for each level, the technique requirements for each level, and so on. It's a great reference. The only thing it doesn't have is teaching information (like how to teach each piece). HOWEVER, the RCM has a brown book called "Handbook for Teachers", which is amazing. It's teaching notes for every one of the pieces in the RCM books. Check that out too!

[@eyesurgeon2010]

pianoTV s

[@JiafanCJ]

So,during the exam, I play one etude, one of the sonatas or pop songs, scales and then sight reading?

[@JiafanCJ]

I just play Two pieces of music and scales ? Is that right?

[@PianotvNet]

Consult the syllabus/your teacher to make sure you have everything correct, but it should be: 3 pieces (list A, B, C) 1 etude OR pop song sight reading and ear training scales/technique

[@rishavbanerjee5565]

Mam do piano grade exams of trinity guildhall or the ABRSM have any age limit? Can I give grade 1 exam at 18 years age.

[@marcoagius729]

Thanks

[@44nk96]

The cat bombing the video is everything LOL

[@fuze59]

Can u play every exam from 1-10 if u had to?

[@breannathecrazychild9614]

Contrary motion

[@denzel5331]

Hey I recently finished a piece but I don’t have anyone to play it so if anyone what’s to play it I’ll email it and all I ask is to post a video of you playing it so I can hear a human play it

[@GUITARRACHIRI]

you are so pretty, seriusly , scuseme , thanks you for all your help, soy de peru , recien me incio dictando clases y tus videos me ayudan mucho, i tried to say you something in your language, i really apreciate all your job , and help, thanks you so much, really

[@swapniljundare226]

Its very difficult to understand, how fast u r, slow down.

[@frederick5197]

Why does everyone call them songs!?!?!?

[@MichaelCwll]

Symphony no.5 In the background hahha

[@giancarloandrebravoabanto7091]

too many acronyms for now

[@ssanimics8386]

But ive been playing for 3 months and im playing grade 7 pieces. Maybe its just cuz im asian 😂

[@humphryshan9494]

Ss Animics you mean you can play the beginning of fur Elise and say you can play grade 7 repertoire right?

[@456death654]

Ss animics your comment was so stupid it gave me cancer