Piano Grade 5-3
Examination Procedure
1. Reception
Present the admission slip for examination at the reception desk.
2. Preview
Follow the instructions given by the person in charge.
10 minutes will be given for preview for Improvisation (a) and (b).
3. The Examination
- Note:
- In the preview room, candidates may not copy the exercise to another piece of paper nor may they play on the keyboard.
- In the examination room, candidates should follow the instructions of the examiners.
- In the examination room and the preview room, candidates must switch off their mobile phones.
Subject Details
I. Improvisation
10 minutes are allotted for preview of improvisation (a) and (b) in a separate room.
Candidates are not allowed to write or play during preview of the improvisation examination.
I-I. Improvisation (a)
Contents & Level
Grade 5
A melody of about 16 bars with chord names and chord numbers is given.
Chords may include: I, IV, II, V, V7, simple secondary dominants. In minor keys, V7- I of relative major is included.
The chords are indicated in root position except II6 (1st inversion) and I64 (2nd inversion). Candidates may use inversions if necessary.
Grade 4
A melody of about 16 bars is given.
Chords include secondary triads and secondary dominants.
The melody may include a temporary modulation.
Grade 3
A melody of about 16 bars is given.
Chords include secondary triads and secondary dominants.
The melody will include a temporary modulation.
Procedure
Grade 5
1. Play the theme first with an appropriate accompaniment using the given chord numbers/chord names.
2. Then, improvise two variations. (Make the whole performance a complete “theme and variations” piece.)
Grade 4, 3
1. Play the theme first. Since there is no indication of chord names or chord numbers, candidates must play the theme providing appropriate harmony.
2. Then, improvise two variations (Make the whole performance a complete “theme and variations” piece.)
Points of Evaluation
Grade 5
The ability to play variations on a given melody and make the whole performance a complete piece
Correct understanding of chord names
The ability to understand musical styles (genres) and perform as a single piece with a natural flow
Grade 4, 3
The ability to play variations on a given melody and make the whole performance a complete piece
Appropriate chords and accompaniment to the melody
The ability to understand musical styles (genres) and perform as a single piece with a natural flow
*The higher the grade, the higher the level of performance expression is required.
- Note:
- Secondary dominants are indicated as follows: In case of C Major
- Chord name: C > D7 > G > C
- Chord numbers: I > G:V7 > I > C: I
I-II. Improvisation (b)
Contents & Level
Candidates will improvise and perform a small piece based on a given short motif. (about 2 to 4 measures)
Procedure
Candidates are to choose one motif out of the three given motives.
Improvise the motif into a complete piece in song form or any other form. (e.g., Sonatina, Sonata, Rondo, etc.)
Points of Evaluation
The ability to create a natural flow of melody and harmony using the assigned motif
The ability to consolidate the entire piece as a single piece, paying attention to the appropriate sense of style and form
The performance should have a natural flow as a single piece
*The higher the grade, the higher the level of performance expression is required.
II. Sight Playing
Contents
Candidates will be given a short piece of 1-2 pages.
It may be in any key or time (meter).
Procedure
For every grade, candidates are to start playing after a preview of about 30 seconds, following the instructions of the examiner. Candidates are not allowed to touch the piano during the preview time.
Points of Evaluation
The ability to grasp music from a score and reproduce it immediately
III. Repertoire
Number of Pieces Required
The number of Compulsory Pieces, Free Selections and Original Compositions required for each grade is shown below. Any candidates offering repertoire inconsistent with the requirements may be disqualified. The examiners will decide which pieces will be played at the examination.
Grade 5, 4
Compulsory Piece: 1
Free Selection: 3
Total: 4
Grade 3
Compulsory Piece: 1
Free Selection: 4
Original Piece: 1
Total: 6
General Remarks on Repertoire
It is highly recommended that candidates play all the pieces by memory. In case the candidate needs to use the score, a request to turn pages will be denied. They will have to turn the pages by themselves.
Be sure to bring the scores as examiners may request to see them (Photocopies are not allowed), even if candidates are performing from memory.
In principle, please omit repetitions of pieces, but this does not apply to pieces with musical intentions.
Please note that the performance may be stopped in the middle due to time constraints. However, this will not affect the judgment.
Points of Evaluation
Candidates will be evaluated in terms of both performance technique and expression. The higher the grade, the higher the level of performance expression is required.
The ability to express the appeal of the music
The ability to understand and express the style/genre of the music
The ability to play with tones and sounds that match the music
Compulsory Piece
Starting in August 2023, we provide the scores in PDF format.
Please select one of the pieces from the PDF sheet music.
Pieces not listed below will not be counted as compulsory pieces. If candidates do not meet the requirements, they may be disqualified.
You may not choose a piece of music from a grade other than the one you are taking.
Grade 5
C-501: A Carriage Rushing to the Party (Chikako Kuroda)
C-502: Altocumulus cloud (Hinata Okada)
C-503: Dance Music (Yasuko Harada)
C-504: Early Spring (Tomoko Noji)
C-505: Under the Dreaming Cherry Tree (Eri Kiyama)
C-506: In the Mood of Bossa Nova (Iroha Nakajima)
Grade 4
C-401: Ocean in the Storm (Shiho Kamata)
C-402: Barcarolle (Tokiko Tsunoda)
C-301: Open the Door to Wonderland (Sara Ichikawa)
C-302: Far Beyond the Horizon (Yumiko Inaba)
C-303: Dawn (Tomoko Ikemi)
C-304: A Pledge (Yuri Shimazu)
Grade 3
C-301: Open the Door to Wonderland (Sara Ichikawa)
C-302: Far Beyond the Horizon (Yumiko Inaba)
C-303: Dawn (Tomoko Ikemi)
C-304: A Pledge (Yuri Shimazu)
Free Selection
Although there are no regulations as to the choice of free selection, candidates are advised to keep the following in mind:
- Choose from a wide range of styles: composers of different periods, various types of music.
- Free selection pieces may be selected from:
(a) Any “published piano music”.
(b) One of the following*: (1)Your own composition. (2) An unpublished arrangement.
- *Note:
- 1. If you select your own composition, or an unpublished arrangement as one of the Free Selection pieces, your other 2 Free Selection pieces must be “published piano music.”
- 2. An unpublished arrangement may be your own arrangement or an arrangement by someone else.
- 3. Published arrangements, such as the Bach-Busoni Chaconne, for example, are considered “published piano music.”
- Exercises written purely for mechanical, technical practice, or for beginning learners may not be selected as free selection. (e.g. Hanon and other exercises)
- A compulsory piece may not be selected as a free selection.
- Excerpts from pieces consisting of multiple movements (e.g. sonatas, suites, preludes and fugues) may be selected. However, an excerpt will be counted as only one piece, regardless of how many movements the excerpt includes (see the examples below). Please make sure that you clearly indicate what you have selected on your examination slip.
- <Example excerpts>
- Sonata, etc.: Only the 1st movement, only the 3rd movement, or the 1st and 3rd movements
- Suite: 1st movement only, combination of 1st and 3rd movements.
- Prelude and fugue: Prelude only, fugue only, or the entire piece without excerpts.
- Variations are counted as one piece, not multiple pieces, so excerpts are not allowed. Please prepare all the variations.
- <Example of Selection for grade 5>
- Sample 1:
- J. S. Bach: Armand from French Suite No.5 BWV816
- Beethoven: Piano Sonata No.5 in C minor op.10-1, 1st movement
- Grieg: Erotikon from Lyric Pieces op.43-5
- Sample 2:
- R. Schumann: 8 Novelettes op.21, No.1 in F major
- W. A. Mozart: Piano Sonata No.10 in C major, K.330, 1st movement
- C. Debussy: 2 Arabesques No.1 in E major
- Candidates may include his/her original composition or arrangement piece in Free Selection. In that case, the candidates should make sure they bring the score.
Original Piece (Grade 3)
For Grade 3, candidates are required to compose and perform an original piece.
The style of the composition is not specified. The piece should sufficiently demonstrate the candidate's abilities as both a performer and composer.
If candidates have composed or arranged a simple folk song, it can be considered an original piece.
The score is to be submitted to the examiners in the examination room.
The copy of the score will not be returned.