Sight reading
This test assesses candidates’ ability to perform an unseen musical extract, at a level approximately two grades lower than the exam being taken. Candidates are given 30 seconds to study the test before performing it, during which time they may
practise any or all of it aloud. The examiner does not mark this preparation period. Examples of sight reading tests may be found in Trinity’s Sound at Sight series, available from www.trinitycollege.com/shop or your local music retailer. Tests comply with the musical parameters listed in the table opposite. Lists are cumulative, meaning that tests may also include requirements from preceding grades
Aural (Page 16)
This test supports the development of candidates’ abilities in the field of musical perception by assessing their responses to carefully graded questions. Questions are detailed in the table below and based on a single musical example, performed at the piano by the examiner. Practice tests can
be found in Trinity’s Aural Tests from 2007 books, available from our online shop or your local music retailer.
Improvisation (Page 19)
This test assesses candidates’ ability to improvise fluently, coherently and creatively in response to a musical stimulus. Candidates must choose a stimulus from the following options, indicating their choice of stimulus on the appointment form:
melodic: based on a series of pitches
rhythmic: based on a rhythmic idea
chordal: based on a set of chord symbols
In the exam, candidates are presented with a notated stimulus, which the examiner then plays twice on the piano. Where a melodic or rhythmic stimulus is chosen, the examiner asks candidates to play or tap it back to ensure that they have understood it. Candidates are then given time to study the test before they perform it, during which time they may prepare their response aloud. At Initial–
Grade 5, 30 seconds’ preparation time is given. At Grades 6–8, 60 seconds are given. Where a chordal stimulus is chosen, the examiner will give the candidate a copy of a two–stave piano score containing notated chords with chord symbols printed above. The examiner will play
this through twice at a steady tempo. The candidate should then prepare and perform a short improvisation based on the given chords. Candidates can choose to perform the improvisation as a solo incorporating the chord pattern, or they may request that the examiner play the chords while
they improvise above them. The phrase may be repeated several times, depending on length and speed, until the improvisation reaches a natural conclusion. At all grades, responses should use both hands. Stimuli comply with the musical parameters listed
in the table overleaf. Lists are cumulative, meaning that tests may also include requirements from preceding grades. Further guidance and example stimuli can be found on our website.
Written keys for chordal tests
Musical knowledge (Initial–Grade 5 only)
This test assesses candidates’ understanding of the pieces being performed, as well as their knowledge of notation and their instrument. It does this by assessing their responses to carefully graded questions based on candidates’ three chosen pieces.
In the exam, candidates are invited to choose which piece they would like to be asked about first. The examiner then chooses a second piece for the remaining questions. Candidates’ scores should be free of annotations which might aid their responses. The examiner usually points to the relevant part
of the score when asking questions. American terms (eighth note, half note, etc) may be used as an alternative to English terms (quaver, minim, etc).Example questions and responses are given in the table below. Further guidance is available on our website.
Piano — Initial Page 24
Pieces (3 x 22 marks)
Three pieces are to be played, chosen freely from the list below. Instead of one piece, candidates
may offer an own composition (see page 10). Only one duet may be chosen for the exam.
The following pieces are contained in the book Piano Pieces & Exercises Initial 2015–2017 published
by Trinity:
Charlton Easy Living
Crosland Ready to Go!
Holland On a Wintry Day
Hook Gavotte*
Milne Smooth and Crunchy
Müller Summer Swing
Norton Spring Day*
Vogel March Time
Walker The Stroke of Midnight
This test assesses candidates’ ability to perform an unseen musical extract, at a level approximately two grades lower than the exam being taken. Candidates are given 30 seconds to study the test before performing it, during which time they may
practise any or all of it aloud. The examiner does not mark this preparation period. Examples of sight reading tests may be found in Trinity’s Sound at Sight series, available from www.trinitycollege.com/shop or your local music retailer. Tests comply with the musical parameters listed in the table opposite. Lists are cumulative, meaning that tests may also include requirements from preceding grades
Aural (Page 16)
This test supports the development of candidates’ abilities in the field of musical perception by assessing their responses to carefully graded questions. Questions are detailed in the table below and based on a single musical example, performed at the piano by the examiner. Practice tests can
be found in Trinity’s Aural Tests from 2007 books, available from our online shop or your local music retailer.
Improvisation (Page 19)
This test assesses candidates’ ability to improvise fluently, coherently and creatively in response to a musical stimulus. Candidates must choose a stimulus from the following options, indicating their choice of stimulus on the appointment form:
melodic: based on a series of pitches
rhythmic: based on a rhythmic idea
chordal: based on a set of chord symbols
In the exam, candidates are presented with a notated stimulus, which the examiner then plays twice on the piano. Where a melodic or rhythmic stimulus is chosen, the examiner asks candidates to play or tap it back to ensure that they have understood it. Candidates are then given time to study the test before they perform it, during which time they may prepare their response aloud. At Initial–
Grade 5, 30 seconds’ preparation time is given. At Grades 6–8, 60 seconds are given. Where a chordal stimulus is chosen, the examiner will give the candidate a copy of a two–stave piano score containing notated chords with chord symbols printed above. The examiner will play
this through twice at a steady tempo. The candidate should then prepare and perform a short improvisation based on the given chords. Candidates can choose to perform the improvisation as a solo incorporating the chord pattern, or they may request that the examiner play the chords while
they improvise above them. The phrase may be repeated several times, depending on length and speed, until the improvisation reaches a natural conclusion. At all grades, responses should use both hands. Stimuli comply with the musical parameters listed
in the table overleaf. Lists are cumulative, meaning that tests may also include requirements from preceding grades. Further guidance and example stimuli can be found on our website.
Written keys for chordal tests
Musical knowledge (Initial–Grade 5 only)
This test assesses candidates’ understanding of the pieces being performed, as well as their knowledge of notation and their instrument. It does this by assessing their responses to carefully graded questions based on candidates’ three chosen pieces.
In the exam, candidates are invited to choose which piece they would like to be asked about first. The examiner then chooses a second piece for the remaining questions. Candidates’ scores should be free of annotations which might aid their responses. The examiner usually points to the relevant part
of the score when asking questions. American terms (eighth note, half note, etc) may be used as an alternative to English terms (quaver, minim, etc).Example questions and responses are given in the table below. Further guidance is available on our website.
Piano — Initial Page 24
Pieces (3 x 22 marks)
Three pieces are to be played, chosen freely from the list below. Instead of one piece, candidates
may offer an own composition (see page 10). Only one duet may be chosen for the exam.
The following pieces are contained in the book Piano Pieces & Exercises Initial 2015–2017 published
by Trinity:
Charlton Easy Living
Crosland Ready to Go!
Holland On a Wintry Day
Hook Gavotte*
Milne Smooth and Crunchy
Müller Summer Swing
Norton Spring Day*
Vogel March Time
Walker The Stroke of Midnight
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