Your grade 2 double bass 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. attrib. J. S. Bach Musette (BWV Anh. II 126). P. 9 from The Anna Magdalena Bach Notebook for Double Bass, arr. Elliott (Bartholomew 009: piano accomp. published˛ separately, 009a)
    2. Petzold Minuet in D (BWV Anh. II 114). P. 3 from The Anna Magdalena Bach Notebook for Double Bass, arr. Elliott (Bartholomew 009: piano accomp. published˛ separately, 009a)
    3. Boccherini Minuetto (from String Quartet, Op. 24 No. 4). Time Pieces for Double Bass, Vol. 1, arr. Slatford (ABRSM)
    4. Handel Gavotte, arr. Elliott (upper line). P. 10 from The Essential String Method, Double Bass Book 4 (Boosey & Hawkes: piano accomp. published separately)
    5. Trad. English Greensleeves, arr. Elliott. P. 26 from The Essential String Method, Double Bass Book 4 (Boosey & Hawkes: piano accomp. published separately)
    6. Mozart Passe-pied (observing repeats). No. 9 from La Contrebasse classique, Vol. A, arr. Dehant (Combre C05440)

    LIST B

    1. Beethoven Andante cantabile (from String Quartet, Op. 18 No. 5) Time Pieces for Double Bass, Vol. 1˛ arr. Slatford (ABRSM)
    2. Michael Rose Ballad I Time Pieces for Double Bass, Vol. 1, arr. Slatford (ABRSM)
    3. Rodgers & Hammerstein Edelweiss (from The Sound of Music). No. 50 from Abracadabra Double Bass, Book 1, arr. Lillywhite et al. (Black: piano accomp. published separately)
    4. Schubert Two German Dances, arr. Nelson (omitting DC). P. 23 from The Essential String Method, Double Bass Book 4 (Boosey & Hawkes: piano accomp. published separately)
    5. Schumann The Merry Peasant (The Happy Farmer). P. 18 (arr. Elliott) from The Essential String Method, Double Bass Book 4 (Boosey & Hawkes: piano accomp. published separately) or No. 7 from Suzuki Bass School, Vol. 2, Revised Edition (Alfred–Summy-Birchard 0371S: piano accomp. published separately, 0374S)
    6. Weber Ecossaise (upper line, observing repeats). P. 7 from Technitunes for Double Bass, arr. Nelson and Elliott (Boosey & Hawkes: piano accomp. published separately)

    LIST C

    1. Arlen & Harburg We’re off to see the Wizard (from The Wizard of Oz). No. 70 from Abracadabra Double Bass, Book 1, arr. Lillywhite et al. (Black: piano accomp. published separately) accomp.
    2. Christopher Field Ladye Broomleigh Her Pavane. No. 45 from Yorke Studies for Double Bass, Vol. 1 (Yorke YE0022) solo
    3. Trad. Scottish Ye Banks and Braes, arr. Slatford. No. 73 from Yorke Studies for Double Bass, Vol. 1 (Yorke YE0022) solo
    4. Herz Galoppe Time Pieces for Double Bass, Vol. 1, arr. Slatford (ABRSM) accomp.
    5. Giles Swayne Lazybones Time Pieces for Double Bass, Vol. 1, arr. Slatford (ABRSM) accomp.
    6. Regner Maitanz: No. 2 from Kontra-Spass (Schott KBB 11) accomp.
    7. Trad. March of the Kings, arr. Elliott. P. 25 from The Essential String Method, Double Bass Book 4 (Boosey & Hawkes: piano accomp. published separately) solo or accomp.

    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 Double Bass Grades 1-5 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 Double Bass 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 1-3 Book (a guide with tests) and/or ABRSM Specimen Sight-Reading Tests Grades 1-3 Book (specimen tests).

     

    *Information correct at time of publishing 14.03.16


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