Music Examinations Grading

Oh PL, you hopefully know (no pressure    )  - but posting rather than PMing because we're a diverse community and others can also chip in with your vast knowledge of the world!
 

Right. So music examination grades.  
Sometimes when I want to get involved in something, groups will say 'You must be at least Grade 8' or 'Grade 4' jazz or whatever.  Or you'll make an inquiry for something and they will ask 'What grade do you play at?'  Then I scratch my head and go    
Not that I speak for all of America or anything, but err, we didn't have these things were I come from.   (Or I was never exposed to it. And my sister who's a high school music teacher doesn't know what I mean either)  

So I'm assuming http://www.abrsm.org/en/home leads these things.
 But how do you 'Get yourself graded?'  Do you need a teacher for these things? Can you just jump in and take a Grade 8 exam or do you need to work your way up?
Is there a way to show equivalence?
Anyone know?

I dread questions about what grade I play at. It's so basic here; everyone knows the exams and what they mean, but I have no idea what level I would be at.

I've told people I played 2nd violin in my university symphony and in my local symphony, which was mostly amateur but partly professional. I'm not great, but can hold my own. I've asked people about what grade that might be, but nobody has wanted to try to guess.

And don't even get me started on the silly names for notes that I can never remember . . .

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I would suggest speaking with a music teacher and asking (to pay for their time for) an assessment.  If they could provide examples of sheet music or something you hear once and play back or improvising around a theme or whatever skill levels one is supposed to master for a range of levels and then over maybe an hour you could demonstrate which skills you have and which you lack and come up with an approximate grade level?

I imagine your results will be rather like when I switched from taking French lessons in one school district to taking them in another and I knew three times as many verb tenses as the students at my level but had only half as many vocabulary words. Which is to say, you may not get a precise fit, but at least a general idea where you are.

Oh dear, I have no idea.  I had a recruiter argue with me during an interview that YES THEY DO HAVE LEVELS IN AMERICA! Because she was from Canada, and clearly we're exactly the same. I work with another music teacher, who has become a good friend, and she would be able to answer all those questions for you! I can send you her FB information if you like. (Though she is off on a cruise gig at the moment - lucky lady!)

Maybe Andee will check in on this?  (or maybe Andee with her input as well as input from Mr Andee?) 

They do have music exams in the US.  I used to take them in piano when I was in primary/ secondary school.

However, my daughter has just taken the Grade 3 piano exam here in the UK and they are much more demanding in terms of technique and theory than the US.  They involve playing three pieces (from a book with various selections), a selection of scales, an aural test, a sightreading test and possibly some other questions about pitch/ rhythm from a piece. 

I have accompanied for theatre, choirs and soloists and I also wondered at what level I would be graded.  Basically, after grade 8 you can obtain a diploma and are playing at professional level standard.  Through ABRSM, you can obtain diplomas and licentiates to teach as well. 

The best way to find out what level you are at is to flip through the ABRSM books at your local music shop, and judge at what level you are comfortable playing.  Their website is very helpful as well.  The exams are quite expensive (44 pounds for grade 3), but if it helps you to be able to allow others to identify the level at which you play, I think it is worth it.

I believe the exams help to motivate my daughter to practice and develop.  Also, the work she is doing is rewarded with a recognized diploma for the standard she can play. 

However, my daughter has just taken the Grade 3 piano exam here in the UK and they are much more demanding in terms of technique and theory than the US.

To expand on this, I just looked it up and the music grades have equivalent academic qualifications:

Music Grades 1-3 = GCSE grades D-G

Music Grades 4-6 = GCSE grades A*-C

Music Grades 7-8 = A levels

You can actually score UCAS points towards university admissions for passing the higher grades (I think my brother was considering this, since he has Grade 8 in Cornet and plays for local orchestras and bands).

The best way to find out what level you are at is to flip through the ABRSM books at your local music shop, and judge at what level you are comfortable playing.

Yes, that's what I was going to suggest: see if you can find the syllabus and pieces required for the different grades and work out whether you think you could play them or not .

I have an American friend who moved over here about 7 years ago after having studied piano in the US. She's now a Grade 8 here. I need to speak to her tomorrow anyway, so if you'd like I can ask how she got converted to a UK grade level. Let me know if you want me to!

Thanks all good stuff -
I'd still welcome input from others and those who offered to speak to friends, please do, because I'm really curious about it !

That's also interesting ksand about the grading versus A levels, etc. 

I don't know much about music grading because it is for formally / classically taught musicians and I play traditional music mostly by ear.

I remember a while back Comhaltas (they are an organization that teaches and promotes traditional Irish music and dance) was thinking about instilling a grade based system for traditional musicians, which would of course have to be based on different skills than the present grading system as traditional music does not place any particular importance on sight reading, and there are many other differences as well.

I do know that there are particular pieces for your instrument that you must play for whatever grade you are getting tested for.  I can ask my one harp lady friend who is classically trained in piano and harp and has taken grades, her harpist daughter has as well.