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Huge congratulations!!

👏👏👏

Actually i prefer to teach pop in grade 1-5 & then switch to classical depends on interest. Actually student won't learn much in just doing classically in exam pieces.. it got to be a whole books of invention, Czerny & Sonatina.. if not it's just getting boring to learn every songs for 3 months lol

Very helpful! I was playing along with you for practice!

Great points, Bob. I completely agree that the new diplomas are now quite a lot simpler than the previous ones. I think the one great thing they did was reducing the qualification fee. The new diplomas cost around half what their predecessors did. ARSM (digital) - 195; old DipABRSM - 347 New LRSM - 400; old LRSM - 768 New FRSM - 600; old FRSM - 1115 (GBP) It seems to me that reducing the fee was a big motivation behind having just one examiner, probably a generalist as you said, watching a recorded video performance asynchronously. For comparison, ABRSM's previous diploma syllabus said that you could get one or two examiners, in the latter case a generalist and a specialist. They must have looked at Trinity, who have just one generalist examiner for their diploma exams. It would be nice to have an additional specialist examiner, but I am going to be honest, I am not really sure I would pay nearly double the fee for them to listen, who would wind up making generalist comments on the mark form anyway. I concur, it's hugely disappointing to allow 50% repertoire from the level below. Frankly, they should have stressed that the repertoire chosen from the level below would be assessed at the higher level. About the repertoire that has moved up, I will say that some (not all) of the pieces that have been upgraded are pretty musically difficult, though -- I'm preparing the Polonaise-Fantaisie for the new FRSM, and it's really comparable to, for instance, Funerailles, which has always been FRSM (and is apparently now also on the LRSM repertoire list). It's curious that the LRSM written work is longer (from 1800 to 2000 words), but the FRSM written work is much shorter (from 4500 to 3500 words). As you said, the durations of the spoken presentation alternative aren't close to commensurate with the word counts of the written alternative -- the durations should have been at least doubled. I do like that they have beefed up the topic options for FRSM -- the previous FRSM Written Submission requirement came with scarcely any guidance. Also, the FRSM marking criteria are much expanded. Good riddance to Quick Study, I hated it.

I can agree to many of your points you pointed out. I also was surprised when I heard they would accept up to 50% of the programme for LRSM to be pieces of own choice that are ARSM Level in difficulty and FRSM would be own choice pieces that are LRSM in difficulty level. Also thanks for explaining the gaps between the Diploma levels. From Grade 1 to Fellowship Diplomas, I know every single jump except Licentiate to Fellowship Diplomas because Ive never known or felt it since Im not even at Licentiate level. My playing skills is only 1st year to 2nd year degree level since I passed ARSM with Merit and my Music college Diploma is a Level 5 qualification and is 2nd year degree level. My piano teachers and my family also said my music college Diploma is much more impressive than even DIPABRSM Diploma. Do you agree with this. Its because they said you have to audition to get in which is not easy at all and you have so much more you learn in a music college. One of my piano teacher's said nothing in DIPABRSM measures up to my dreaded courses at my music college or any music college obviously and is way better than a DIPABRSM. I think if I compare ABRSM and Trinity Diplomas now, I would say the LRSM is easier for playing than LTCL even LRSM has longer playing time but LTCL does not have the essay component like LRSM. FRSM has longer playing time than FTCL but is easier because you can play own choice repetoire that is 1 level below in difficulty. For ARSM and ATCL, both of them dont have essay writing. So I agree with you that ABRSM Diplomas are overall easier than other exam boards now compared to Trinity, LCM etc especially now you dont have to pass every component to pass overall unlike the old Diplomas. If you looked carefully at both Mervyn Cousins and Ali Bowen Davies during the webinar(I watched it too). Do you realise they did not talk about playing Repetoire that is like 1 level below in difficulty until at the end when asking questions, someone asked about why could they play in FRSM exam repetoire that is LRSM in standard. If you saw carefully, their reaction to me was a bit shocked or uneasy and I think they didnt know what to say Because they were nervous. And they never mentioned this in the webinar introducing the new Diplomas until someone asked at the end. I think ABRSM now are very hungry for Money now. For Me, im also a Pianist. I passed the ARSM Diploma with Merit and I also graduated from a Music college with a 3 year full time Diploma which is a Level 5 qualification(2nd year Degree) since its like a HND/DipHE. For their new Teaching Diplomas in ABRSM, do you know why for FRSM Teaching, ARSM Performance is accepted as a prerequisite. But not the other Associate Diplomas from other exam boards like ATCL, AMusa, DIPLCM, ALCM, ARCT etc. Is it like ABRSM trying to tell you that ARSM is better than other exam boards Associate Diplomas and they purposely want you to do ARSM so they can earn more money. Because people with other exam boards Associate Diplomas cant enter FRSM Teaching. I agree with you again that ABRSM have done this to make money and because students will see it as easier than other exam boards, they will want to do ABRSM Diplomas and not the other exam boards like Trinity, LCM, AMEB, RCM etc. I enjoyed your video, I also feel like doing a Licentiate Diploma in Performance one day too and maybe a Degree in Music one day. I feel for me, the Licentiate level is infinitely more challenging than the Associate Diplomas. Pieces are so much harder. Ive tried to tackle Chopin Scherzo no 2 op 31 in particular and I know its a Licentiate level piece. Ive been playing it for a long time and I cant play it well at all. There is another benefit about the new Diplomas. You only need to pass Grade 8 to enter them. You can even enter a FRSM Diploma exam with Grade 8. I prefer this way unlike the old Diploma system which made you pass LRSM to enter FRSM and the old DIPABRSM for LRSM. Because my grandmother is also a pianist and in 1955, she passed the LRSM Diploma and she said in her time there was only LRSM after Grade 8 so everyone had to jump from Grade 8 to LRSM. So in this sense, removal of DIPABRSM is not that bad and replacing it with ARSM. Because I believe that music qualifications doesnt really define how good someone is as a pianist. Someone with a Grade 6 may have more potential than a Grade 8 Pianist for example. So thats why Im very happy now the prequisite for LRSM and FRSM is only Grade 8. I think the ARSM to LRSM jump is very big but since they removed the DIPABRSM and replaced it with ARSM, they were forced to make the new LRSM and FRSM easier so the jump from ARSM to LRSM would be not as hard. Did you see they also recently added new pieces to the ARSM Repetoire list: www.abrsm.org/sites/default/files/2024-06/ARSM%20Repertoire%20%28June%202024%20-%20Piano%29%20PROOF4%20%28Final%29%20%281%29.pdf What do you think of the new list? Just curious about your opinion, for this new LRSM, you know the part where you can play up to 50% of the programme that can be own choice pieces that are ARSM Standard in difficulty. These pieces can be outside the ARSM List right since they say own choice. For instance, Do you think they would allow Fantasie Impromptu op66 by Chopin to be played in an LRSM exam. I think its ARSM Standard to me and ive seen people use it in DIPABRSM exam and they passed and DIPABRSM's rule was own choice repetoire of 7 minutes at pieces being ARSM/DIPABRSM level or above. What do you think? It was very interesting to see your thoughts on the new ABRSM Diploma system. This is the link to their Diploma webinars: vimeo.com/939460164/cff8c8e7a0?share=copy&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR151psmWaBZneyiUG9egh6LynTCNPCGQlG8kLnsk7FvGhgDNaH3wdPniyg_aem_Afi2zcL897Up3jzg6i3kzJJ_vCjvNdHgy3fJbbEyG7xK-IT2UsVwUuji5LLRzR78zXDurHlbseW9rxBbA0WSlsXp (LRSM and FRSM) vimeo.com/965734062/3f5534964b?share=copy&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR0X8vYBxn4-9p8ghbnCx2wVWWtNSzvzZ1_q37VBgQgVA74bW7HEHSMeF58_aem_S5VxWw1YrW360WH16iJCZg (ARSM Diploma webinar by Andrew Dibb) What do you think?

Lovely playing, thanks for all the tutorials, I’m interested to know how you produced the light show, the colours reflect the mood of the pieces, well done 😊

❤🎹 Bravo ..... Great show 🎉

Really enjoying this piece but struggling on end of bar 32 and bar 33 - could you suggest some fingering for that part please?

Is that the original arrangement? I'd say this one if played correctly is actually very difficult indeed. I haven't seen the score, but there's like a 1/4 note delay on each bar for the main bits.

This piece is indeed much more difficult than commonly described.. You have executed every detail with such stunningly admirable skill!!

Well, this video seems like custom made for the piano needs I have atm and I only clicked because the thumbnail caught my attention, lucky me. I AM playing solffegietto. Need like 50-60 more bmp among other things. I AM, for first time in years, wanting to play scales and trying to be patient. I always get bored and annoyed and end up playing whatever. I dont have the habit of counting. My fingers are weak, even more so on my left hand that is used to mostly playing octaves and the fifth. I'll be trying this. If I'm constant for like a month Imma came back and inform my progress. Thank you.

I was quite sad when they abolished(?) the diploma;; When I took the exam I failed because my quick study was lacking by 2 marks and I thought I could just retake the quick study but since they chose to abolish it I would have to retake the whole thing again - may take a while since I just moved schools and all. It's quite disheartening.

This is mellow, like being at a piano bar enjoying a cocktail. Loved it!

I can see shifting accent practice at work here. Wonderfully played.

Another video that is gold!!! I’ll be doing shifting accents starting today, as the one thing I’ve learned is that nothing worthwhile is easy. Thank you Bob!

❤🎹 this is great.... I'm on a early grade Initial level... can I do practice with a scale.... thx 😊

Would you happen to know other Joe Hisaishi pieces, perhaps with a nice melody? Preferably not well known

Haha....AI has made a very polite man of Beethoven ;-).

Bravo!👏👏👏. I love how you pedaled it so sparingly with some arpeggios almost completely dry!❤❤❤

This was great 🎉 I would like to see more of these organised kind of videos 😮 😊

“Why am I learning this” 😂😂😂. I’ve said that so many times also.

Very nice! I'll be playing this for my exam, thanks so much!

Very good!

Thank you for the explanations!

Bar 47 killed me

ABRSM is a joke now....they downgraded the standard of the pieces....shrinking the size of the scales.....just because wanted to attract more people to take their exam, in fastfood culture nowadays, people tend to do so many things within 24hours, they wanted their child to learn so many enrichment class, tuition especially at SEA , leave so little time for practice, so ABRSM indirectly created a false phenomenon , you don't have to practice much, still can play well....But the real serious learner won't bother, left only those SEA people happily showing off their invaluable certificate, and of course now took away by ABRSM also, very sarcastic.

Beautiful. I hope you can release a book or make available your arrangements :)

Thankss I rlly needed this m My exam is tmr

Excellent. Really really good.

This is more of a criticism to the piece and the score rather than a tutorial. No doubt your insight and suggestions are pretty good. I was actually thinking of doing something more in the direction you mention than just bashing the piece. Makes complete musical sense. Bottom line, the piece is great and the composer sucks as a musician 😂 composers don’t need to be great musicians

Fabulous playing! I would be skeptical about playing it for an exam tho

Enjoyed this immensely. Great insight and imagination to bring out the mood of the piece. This has opened my mind to visualize and feel a piece, not something I have thought about! Thank you!

I cried when I saw what they have done to them :( I stopped using them in 2020 when they dumbed down theory grades. I emailed asking why they were so money grabbing! They used to be fantastic too :(

Why does the picture above the right piano twitch so much?

What age were you when you began learning piano? Great job, btw

Really ambivalent feelings about this. On the one hand I like to see ABRSM evolving (lord know's it's overdue), representing different types of music, giving players more choice seems a win to me. On the other, the execution isn't great, the levels in particular are questionable, the whole syllabus comes across muddled. What are your opinions on how other exam boards have done it for a while - having separate qualifications for different genres? Trinity have had a pop/rock one for as long as I can remember - interestingly some of the grades are actually far more difficult (nobody can pursuade me otherwise!)

Gorgeous Bob. I am learning so much from your videos and podcast episodes! You are most generous to share these insights with words that can be understood by this amateur pianist. Thank you immensely!

Great video. Thanks 👍

I meant to ask if youll be doing any more litrle masterclass videos on tips and techniques for playing? Or conversations with dead composers via chatgpt? :)

I think the film music comment on the episode is fair when aimed more at modern film music in the last 15 years. It's become incredibly bland and lacking in texture. Prior to that though, I'd have to disagree. Give Total Recall (Jerry Goldsmith) a listen if you haven't already. To a lesser extent Ron Jones/Dennis McCarthy as honourable mentions for their Star Trek TV scores. I'm avoiding the obvious John Williams choice as there was a bit too much plagiarism for my liking.

Absolutely beautiful

While I do like the variety of different genres being covered in the new syllabus i do completely agree that you can't compare someone playing Beethoven to someone playing a pop piece. One thing I'd like to add is that i don't like how the performance grades (4 pieces to play and record as many takes as you want) hold the same qualification as a practical face to face exam which you have to do aural, scales and sight reading on top of 3 pieces. That's one thing i feel very strongly about. Keep up the good work mate 👊🏻🎹

Nice video! Do you know the Yamaha CLP 775 model? How do the actions compare? I have an old CLP 970 from around 2000, and the action is pretty heavy, so I would not be able to play that fast on it. I also have a real grand piano at home, but I'm looking for a good digital piano to practice on - with the grand, I can't practice as it sounds too nice, and I always tend to play rather than practice.

I tookk a shotot evrey tim youu said it wass "dumbbin downn'. Beest nighgyt i hasd in a whille. Cheerss! Greeretinhgs fromm th emergenency rooms (Editt for typoo)

nice my guy

The score I downloaded from MuseScore there’s one bar that’s 9/8 then goes back to 6/8. I barely hear the difference. Need to revisit that.

Understanding that ABRSM lower their requirements by much (probably to attract more candidates from Trinity or others), but don't know why they need to abandon the past diploma. Have viewed that in 2024, both diploma (LRSM/ new LRSM, or FRSM/ new FRSM) can be chosen, with clearly one more prestigous than the other in terms of difficulty (and even, in terms of entry fees). More advanced candidates can choose the old diplomas (and ABRSM still can earn "more expensive" entry fees from them), while others can choose the new. Adding new items with lowered barriers is nice, but entiring wiping the old certifications are not wise at all. Likewise in their new "grade 8", students may escape from the Baroque contrapuntal styles, or even escape from the Classical Sonatas. Turkish March is also grade 8 now. What a shame.

I love these discussions, and want to thank you for the generosity in sharing your experience in order to help others. You touch on the exact problems we adult students struggle with!

Loved this so much! Playing my piece immediately noticed the end of phrase clunk and rush to get to next phrase. Thank you for the in depth demonstration, this is gold! I realized my phrasing was not what I wanted to hear and now I understand why.