Your clarinet 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. Mozart Minuet and Trio: 3rd movt from Divertimento in Bb, K. 439b No. 4, arr. Harris Clarinet Exam Pieces, Grade 4 (ABRSM)
    2. Weber Durch die Wälder, durch die Auen: from Der Freischütz, arr. Wastall Clarinet Exam Pieces, Grade 4 (ABRSM)
    3. Dvořák Waltz, Op. 54 No. 1, arr. Kolman Clarinet Exam Pieces, Grade 4 (ABRSM)
    4. J. Burgmüller Ballade (Op. 100 No. 15) Time Pieces for Clarinet, Vol. 3, arr. Denley (ABRSM)
    5. Mozart Adagio für Glasharmonika (K. 356) Time Pieces for Clarinet, Vol. 3, arr. Denley (ABRSM)
    6. F. Danzi Concertpiece. Clarinet Basics Repertoire, arr. Harris (Faber)
    7. Purcell Rondeau, arr. Richardson. No. 19 from First Book of Clarinet Solos, arr. Davies and Reade (Faber)
    8. Schumann Ring on My Finger (Op. 42 No. 4). No. 5 from Schumann for the Clarinet, arr. King and Frank (ABRSM)
    9. Trad. Scottish Charlie is My Darling. One More Time! for Clarinet, arr. Watts (Kevin Mayhew)

    LIST B

    1. Adler & Ross Hernando’s Hideaway: from The Pajama Game, arr. Ramskill Clarinet Exam Pieces, Grade 4 (ABRSM)
    2. Paul Harris Andante pacifico con rubato: 3rd movt from Sonatina Clarinet Exam Pieces, Grade 4 (ABRSM)
    3. Marie-Luce Schmitt Rumba du soir (Evening Rumba) Clarinet Exam Pieces, Grade 4 (ABRSM)
    4. Duncan Lamont The Wizard: from Mr Benn (Queen’s Temple Publications QT118)
    5. Cecilia McDowall Romantic Song: from Three Pastiches (Hunt Edition HE22)
    6. Muczynski Fable No. 9 (from Fables, Op. 21). Time Pieces for Clarinet, Vol. 3, arr. Denley (ABRSM)
    7. Christopher Norton Gallivanting or A Walk by the Sea: No. 28 or No. 29 from The Microjazz Clarinet Collection 2 (Boosey & Hawkes)
    8. Robert Saxton Song without Words. Spectrum for Clarinet (ABRSM)
    9. John Williams Raiders March (from Raiders of the Lost Ark). Great Winners for Clarinet, arr. Lawrance (Brass Wind: piano accomp. published separately)

    LIST C

    1. Demnitz Study in C: from Elementary School for Clarinet [No. 1: Arpeggio Studies] Clarinet Exam Pieces, Grade 4 (ABRSM)
    2. Paula Crasborn-Mooren Study in D minor: No. 10 from 21 Intermediate Studies for Clarinet Clarinet Exam Pieces, Grade 4 (ABRSM)
    3. Roger Purcell Jack the Lad: No. 20 from Scaling the Heights Clarinet Exam Pieces, Grade 4 (ABRSM)
    4. Richard Benger A Weird Story: from 30 Tuneful Studies (Spartan Press SP317)
    5. Berr Study in E minor. No. 79 from Mauz Step by Step for Clarinet (Schott ED 20622)
    6. Nocentini Study in B minor. No. 83 from Mauz Step by Step for Clarinet (Schott ED 20622)
    7. James Rae 5th Avenue: No. 25 from 38 More Modern Studies for Solo Clarinet (Universal UE 21554)

    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 Clarinet 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 Clarinet 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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