Your bassoon grade 4 ABRSM exam will be marked out of 150 and you will need a total of 100 marks to Pass, 120 marks for a Merit and 130 marks for a Distinction.  The exam comprises of four main areas:

    Pieces

    In your exam you are required to play three pieces (worth up to 30 marks each), one from each of the three lists, A, B and C below:

    LIST A

    1. Boismortier Andante: 1st movt from Sonata in D minor, Op. 50 No. 4. Boismortier Two Sonatas, Op. 50 Nos 4–5 (Musica Rara MR 2169)
    2. Boismortier Aria (affetuoso): 3rd movt from Sonata in E minor, Op. 50 No. 1. Boismortier Two Sonatas Op. 50 Nos 1–2 (Musica Rara MR 2132)
    3. Galliard Spiritoso e staccato a tempo moderato or Hornpipe a l’inglese: 2nd or 4th movt from Sonata No. 1 in A minor (Hinrichsen 753a) or Galliard Six Sonatas, Vol. 1 (IMC 2114)
    4. Merci Cantabile: 2nd movt from Sonata in G minor, Op. 3 No. 4 (Schott ED 10402)
    5. Mozart Menuetto e Trio (from Serenade in Bb, K. 361). Time Pieces for Bassoon, Vol. 2, arr. Denley (ABRSM)
    6. Rameau Danse des Sauvages (from Les Indes galantes). No. 16 from 16 Progressive Pieces for Bassoon, arr. Denwood (Emerson E683)
    7. Telemann Andante: 3rd movt from Sonatina in A minor. Telemann 2 Sonatinas for Bassoon (Schott FAG 26)
    8. Trad. English The Maiden’s Blush. No. 8 from Second Book of Bassoon Solos, arr. Hilling and Bergmann (Faber)
    9. Vivaldi Allegro (Finale from Flute Sonata). Sounds Classical for Bassoon, arr. Sparke (Anglo Music AMP 362- 400)

    LIST B

    1. J. W. Bratton The Teddy Bears’ Picnic. Time Pieces for Bassoon, Vol. 2, arr. Denley (ABRSM)
    2. Colin Cowles The Dandy Lion: No. 10 from Who’s Zoo? (Spartan Press SP485)
    3. Jacob L’Après-midi d’un dinosaur and A Little Waltz: Nos 3 and 2 from Four Sketches (Emerson E73)
    4. Milde Andante: No. 1 from Three Easy Pieces. No. 6 from Bassoon Solos, Vol. 1 (Chester CH55092)
    5. Puccini O mio babbino caro (from Gianni Schicchi). Classic Experience Collection for Bassoon, arr. Lanning (Cramer)
    6. James Rae Mr Big or Movin’ and Groovin’: from In the Groove for Bassoon (Reedimensions RD043)
    7. Michael Rose Tango: from A Miscellany for Bassoon, Book 2 (ABRSM)
    8. Weissenborn Humoreske: from Arioso and Humoreske, Op. 9 (ABRSM)
    9. Weissenborn Romanze, Op. 227 (observing cadenza) (Rubank)

    LIST C

    1. Concone Study No. 11: from The Singing Bassoon, arr. Emerson (Emerson E281)
    2. Colin Cowles Out of Character: from Out of Character (Fentone 14-401)
    3. Dave Gale Down the Dale: from Jazz FX for Bassoon (Brass Wind)
    4. Michael Rose Polka: from A Miscellany for Bassoon, Book 2 (ABRSM)
    5. Philip Sparke Penny Parade or Ursa Major: No. 34 or No. 37 from Skilful Studies for Bassoon (Anglo Music AMP 365-401)
    6. Stanley Gavotte (from Organ Concerto No. 3). No. 44 from 44 Progressive Studies for Bassoon, arr. Denwood (Emerson E689)
    7. Weissenborn Study in A minor (P. 12 No. 2) or Study in D minor (P. 14 No. 4) or Study in G minor (P. 16 No. 6): from Bassoon Studies, Op. 8, Vol. 1 (Peters EP 2277a)

    Scales & Arpeggios

    As part of your exam you are also required to play scales & arpeggios from memory (worth up to 21 marks) - please see the ABRSM Bassoon Grades 1-8 Scale Book

    Sight-Reading Test

    You will also be required to sight-read some music that you have not seen before (worth up to 21 marks) - to prepare for this part of your exam please see the ABRSM Bassoon Grades 1-5 Sight-Reading Book which has a selection of specimen sight-reading pieces.

    Aural Tests

    In another part of your exam you will be required to complete a set of aural tests challenging your musicianship (worth up to 18 marks). To help prepare for this please see the ABRSM Aural Training in Practice Grades 4-5 Book (a guide with tests) and/or ABRSM Specimen Sight-Reading Tests Grades 4-5 Book (specimen tests).

     

    *Information correct at time of publishing 14.03.16


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