When we were young and working through our piano exams there were very few choices on what type of exam and what examination board.
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Australian Music Examinations Board (AMEB)The Australian Music Examinations Board (AMEB) tradition extends back to 1887 and is the most well-recognised and widely-used examination system for music in Australia with up to 95% of students and teachers using AMEB for music exams. We use the Australian Music Examinations Board for a whole lot of reasons including:
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Other Examination BoardsOther highly-respected examination boards with international reputations include Trinity College London (TCL) and the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM). These boards, along with the AMEB, have similarly spaced, labelled and graded exams. Although there are a few other examination systems used in Australia, they do not share the depth and breadth of examiners, syllabi, history or reputation as the aforementioned boards. |
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AMEB Piano Exams (Classical)For longer than anyone can remember the AMEB has been providing a classical piano syllabus that identifies the finest repertoire and provides a rigorous framework for graded development. It has been, and continues to be, a tried-and-true, reliable system for achieving excellence. - Dr Michael Barkl
The Piano ChallengeClassical syllabuses such as AMEB's pianoforte version is aimed at the earnest student who wants to develop a comprehensive range of skills by focussing on pieces in the classical repertoire. The higher difficulty of pieces and technical requirements in this strand demand:
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Piano for Leisure ExamsThe Piano for Leisure syllabus is a less strenuous and perhaps more encouraging strand for those students who enjoy playing but do not want the pressure of a high-level examination. Designed for students with busy schedules, the Piano for Leisure exams have a lower set of requirements but maintain a high standard in performance. It explores popular repertoire including well-loved standards from the classics, jazz styles and arrangements of movie themes and popular songs and caters to a wider variety of tastes and interests. So, what are the main differences in terms of workload between the pianoforte and leisure syllabuses? The following table shows a side-by-side comparison of the main differences. Requirements are based on a grade 6 level in both strands. |
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Compare Classical Piano and Piano for Leisure
It's clear that there is significantly less preparation needed for the Piano for Leisure exam. In fact, we would suggest that between 50% to 70% less time would be required in practice. For time-poor students or students who just want to chug along at a leisurely pace the Piano for Leisure strand would be a good choice. Just remember that lower exam requirements demand less practice and depending on your particular needs this may or may not be the best choice. |
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Contemporary Piano Exams* Treviano Studio does not offer lessons for the CPM syllabusCourses such as AMEB's Contemporary Popular Music (CPM) are designed for the contemporary popular musician rather than the classical one. Think along the lines of songs by current artists rather than pieces from the great classical composers. The CPM syllabus focuses on creativity and musical exploration and includes:
There is less emphasis on technical facility and note reading and more focus on the harmony, keys and scales commonly used in contemporary music. If you want to play in a band or be a pop star then CPM would be worth checking out.
WarningThere can be a tendency to ignore good technical development and note reading within this strand of learning. This can lead to frustration when a student wants to play music that has not been recorded or is technically demanding. Having good technique and note reading skills is never something you will regret having and classically-trained pianists are renowned for impressive technical ability. So, a combination of extra technical and sight reading work with CPM is recommended.
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