Performance of pieces

Distinction

You should:

• play technically very securely, and be comfortable and relaxed with playing your instrument
• play accurately the indications the composer has used
• show a sense of enjoyment of performing the piece, with lots of expressive playing
• be very confident in conveying the mood and style of the piece, with a strong sense of communication with the audience.

Merit

You should:

• have rhythm strongly under control, with no errors other than an occasional slip
• play notes securely throughout the range, without poor tuning
• have phrases well shaped and balanced throughout
• use dynamics well, without loss of tone or pitch
• make a better than average tone, played securely and comfortably throughout the range
• create a fluent and enjoyable performance.

Pass

You should:

• have rhythm mostly under control, with a basic feel for the music
• play notes mostly accurately
• play at a speed to match the piece, with the pulse held steady
• attempt the basic dynamics, as shown in the piece
• attempt sensible articulation and phrasing, with breaths and bowing, etc. placed appropriately
• make a reasonably nice tone, in a way that is comfortable to play.

Below pass

You will:

• not have controlled the rhythm well and not kept together with the accompaniment, where provided
• have played more than a small number of wrong notes
• have allowed the pulse to be unsteady, perhaps while searching for notes
• not have produced a good tone, or lost control of it
• not have paid enough attention to musical directions.

Preparing for an instrumental examination

Scales, arpeggios, rudiments and technical exercises

Distinction

You should:

• show a quick response, with no delay for thinking time
• be technically fluent and play with no apparent effort
• make a very good tone, with good tuning
• play with a musical shape and feel.

Merit

You should:

• how a confident response and start off promptly
• be well prepared and technically secure through the whole range
• show neat and secure articulation
• show signs of comfort with these and the instrument.

Pass

You should:

• need only a little thinking time before starting
• show knowledge of key signatures and sensible fingerings
• play these adequately, though with some slips
• play at a moderate speed, with a steady pulse.

Below pass

You will:

• start after delays for thinking time, or play slowly and unevenly
• play too many wrong notes
• show poor preparation of the different types of scales, arpeggios and exercises
• have technical problems that stop you playing fluently.

Sight reading

Distinction

You should play fluently, read confidently and accurately and convey the style and mood of the piece.

Merit

You should have most notes and rhythm accurate, play with a steady pulse throughout and obey most of the indications marked.

Pass

You should have notes and rhythm fairly accurate, play with a fairly steady pulse throughout, obey most of the indications marked.

Below pass

You will show poor attention to note values, find notes slowly, miss key signature and accidentals and forget dynamics and articulation.