Klarinet Archive - Posting 000378.txt from 2004/04

From: <tony-w@-----.uk>
Subj: Re: [kl] Music exams in U.S.
Date: Fri, 23 Apr 2004 05:50:21 -0400


From: David Glenn

> >ABRSM, (several colleges thru`out U.K.) and Guildhall and Trinity,
> >individual colleges) do emphasise theory almost as much as performance. I
> >s`pose this good.
> - snip -
> >Tony W.
> +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
> Tony,
> Let yourself be corrected by an expatriate American: The ABRSM exams do
not emphasise theory almost as much as performance. To be exact, the
theoretical part makes up 18 out of 150 points on the exams (smallest part
of all). Scales and chords 21 points. Sight reading 21 points. 90 points
left for the three pieces. So it appears that the ABRSM exams emphasize
playing and not theory. The only hitch to this is that you have to take one
theory exam (grade 5) which is really not hard before you can do the
practical exams in the higher grades. As far as my teaching goes, it's just
enough theory required to make me do something with my students on it once
in a while. I am glad about this since I started with these exams because,
with 25 minute units and you know how much some students practise ... it's
hard to get around to these things sometimes.

David,
Don`t get confused with 'theory' and 'aural' tests. ABRSM instrumental exams
do not cover theory at all, but they *do* emphasise theory just as much as
playing! There are separate theory exams which do not include playing your
instrument. Yes, one has to be grade 5 level in theory before going on to
sit grade 6 instrumental exam - this is a separate exam. And similarly for
qualification to enter into the 3 - 4 year college study with instrument as
first study, (including a second instrument study in addition, which can be
voice) the student must have passed the grade 8 on instrument, *and* the
separate grade 8 in theory. This covers traditional, 20 cent. and modern
harmony techniques: counterpoint and fugue: composition: vocal writing:
knowledge of other instruments and orchestration.

I`m a music writer in addition to my clarinet and piano playing, so I may be
bashing my own corner here, but I believe that our exam systems need to be
looked at in such a way so as to not prevent a promising instrumentalist
from qualifying for entry just because their own instrument, say bass
trombone is a million miles away from (and being forced to learn a certain
amount of), say harp. To me it`s nonsense. One could say that it 'sorts the
men from the boys'; ultimately the colleges want the best talent, but if
America can produce fine players with not quite so much emphasis on theory
as in UK, then there is a case to rethink what value theory really is to an
instrumentalist. It`s 'nice' to be talented in both - but not essential. How
will the harp pedal changes help the bass trombonist in his portrayal of
'The Ride of the Valkyries'?
I have the 'best possible' :) portrayal of this by the Cleveland Orch. under
Szell (1969) Magnificent brass! (How much harp or piccolo would they have
known?)
Best,
Tony W.

---------------------------------------------------------------------
Klarinet is a service of Woodwind.Org, Inc. http://www.woodwind.org