Your grade 4 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 Minuet in C (BWV Anh. II 116). P. 5 from The Anna Magdalena Bach Notebook for Double Bass, arr. Elliott (Bartholomew 009: piano accomp. published separately, 009a) or No. 2 from Suzuki Bass School, Vol. 3, Revised Edition (Alfred–Summy-Birchard 0376S: piano accomp. published separately, 0377S)
    2. J. S. Bach Gavotte and Musette, arr. Slatford. No. 20 from Yorke Solos for Double Bass, Vol. 1 (Yorke YE0087)
    3. Mozart A Little Melody, arr. Láska. No. 23 from Yorke Solos for Double Bass, Vol. 1 (Yorke YE0087)
    4. Froberger Gigue (ornaments optional) Time Pieces for Double Bass, Vol. 2, arr. Slatford (ABRSM)
    5. Handel Allegro (from Concerto grosso, Op. 6 No. 8) Time Pieces for Double Bass, Vol. 2, arr. Slatford (ABRSM)
    6. A. Thomas Gavotte (from Mignon). No. 7 from Subterranean Solos, arr. Hartley (Bartholomew 006: piano accomp. published separately, 006a)

    LIST B

    1. Grieg Hunting Song (Op. 4 No. 4) Time Pieces for Double Bass, Vol. 2, arr. Slatford (ABRSM)
    2. Mendelssohn Venetian Gondola Song (from Op. 57) Time Pieces for Double Bass, Vol. 2, arr. Slatford (ABRSM)
    3. Humperdinck Fiddler’s Song (from Königskinder). Amazing Solos for Double Bass, arr. Schofield (Boosey & Hawkes)
    4. S. Lancen Si j’étais … Moussorgsky. No. 13 from Yorke Solos for Double Bass, Vol. 1 (Yorke YE0087)
    5. J. F. Müller Neapolitan Dance (Neil Kjos Music KJ15920)
    6. Michael Rose Reverie: from A Sketchbook for Double Bass (ABRSM)

    LIST C

    1. A. Benjamin Jamaican Rumba Time Pieces for Double Bass, Vol. 2, arr. Slatford (ABRSM) accomp.
    2. Kabalevsky Cavalryman (from Op. 27) Time Pieces for Double Bass, Vol. 2, arr. Slatford (ABRSM) accomp.
    3. Frederick Boaden Elegy: 2nd movt from Petite Suite (Yorke YEC47358) accomp.
    4. Bottesini Study No. 4 or No. 9: from Method for Double Bass, Part 1 (Yorke YE0076) solo
    5. Christopher Field Hornpipe: No. 4 from Mock Baroque. No. 108/4 from Yorke Studies for Double Bass, Vol. 2 (Yorke YE0086) solo
    6. Teppo Hauta-aho Allegro moderato: 1st movt from Jazz Sonatine No. 2 (Recital Music RM333) solo
    7. Regner Der Clown tritt auf: No. 8 from Kontra-Spass (Schott KBB 11) 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 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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