TECHNICAL CONSIDERATIONS ABRSM’s recommended tempo for this piece is 168 crotchet beats per minute, but this seems quite slow compared to the original James P Johnson version and given that this is the final Grade 8 video of the ABRSM exam book series, it seemed a fun idea to play it at a tempo closer to the speed of that original piece, which is significantly faster. (by at least 15 crotchet bpm!) Grade 8 candidates therefore should not be put off by the tempo at which I played this piece in the video, a tempo any faster than 168 bpm certainly would seem to bring out the high-energy and cheerful spirit of the music. However, in the published ABRSM Teaching Notes 2023 & 2024 it states that “Slightly tempering the suggested metronome mark to 152 crotchet bpm may ease some of the demands without adversely affecting the musical outcome.” This is a highly challenging piece to learn at speed - in fact it is extremely difficult to play at tempos over 168 and that is probably why ABRSM have made such allowances tempo-wise. The biggest challenge for most players will be the stride bass line because there are continuous jumps from the lower left hand notes to the chords and this must be practised very slowly in order to build up a relaxed motion - there should be no stiffness in the arm and wrist movement whatsoever. A good piano teacher will be well aware of this and can guide you appropriately. If you don’t master the left hand part you will never get the piece working properly hands together. Furthermore, I would suggest memorising small sections of the left hand part - you will need to be looking at your hand whilst you play and not looking too much at the exam book. Just practising the left-hand part of bars 9 and 10 on a continuous loop to build up the fluency would be a good starting point - once you can play those two bars slowly, try playing along with a metronome to really tighten up the timing - if need be, set the metronome to a very slow tempo and be satisfied with that to begin with as it might well take some time before you can master playing those bars quicker without hitting wrong notes. Some of the left hand parts might be very difficult, or even impossible to stretch - for example the 10ths of bar 76 (2nd time bar) and the following few bars - these may need to be simplified by missing the top note, or rolling the chords - in some cases playing an octave instead of a 10th could also work. Dynamics are left up to the performer - hopefully this video will help give you some ideas! There is scope for light and shade in the contrasting sections. A link is included below to the original James P Johnson version! ruclips.net/video/I1kw2JjkxzM/видео.html
just passed grade 3 this week 🙌🏻 grade 8 seems so far away, but so did grade 3 when i started 5 years ago. as a betting man i reckon it’ll be 2035 before i get to grade 8, given the kids keeping me busy and not having much time to practice
I do enjoy this piece, did switch to Debussy’s Arabesque no. 2 since (A) it was easier and (B) I have a newfound love of Impressionism. Still, a great song
Recordings of JP Johnson himself seem to say otherwise. He plays twice as fast (although I wonder if old recording are played accelerated, like old movies)
It was a long time coming that’s for sure! Hopefully now we should be back to more regular uploads and there will be some lovely piano pieces coming, so stay tuned and good luck with your exam!
just in case if yall didn't know the actual name fr this song is called steeplechase rag n its a lil bit different. great job on over the bars tho, keep it up *you got a slight advantage cuz u got big hands ;)
Will rather recommend a3 and b3 though. A1 is really mostly about timing since there are Demi quavers all around. A2 is more about endurance since it’s 8 pages long. A3 is just nice 6 pages with not that many problems. B1 is very intensive on blending the notes well while b2 is well, fast abt c108. B3 is more on the feeling, something similar to b1 but ultimately offers not that many scales. Idk bro I’m just saying. Vibes are more important.
DONT DO IT, do the arabesque, it seems harder at first but it’s much more doable than this, i switched about half way in to my grade 8 journey and still managed to get 29/30 on the arabesque last week
thank you so much for this video, im in grade 8 right now but im a bit confused on the repeat parts ([1. ], [2. ]) if you know what i mean, could you explain to me what you did here? im not sure if you just skipped it 😭 anyway thank you for the video! 🙏🙏
You usually don’t need to play repeats in ABRSM exams except in exceptional circumstances - the performance of this piece is in the correct form. Good luck!
Second question: would i be allowed to play it faster than the original marking like you did? or would i be marked down for not following the correct tempo
The original piece is faster than it was recorded here, we thought the tempo dragged a bit for the abrsm recommendation in reflection of how it should sound. I doubt you'd be marked down.
You will be absolutely fine playing this piece slower🤩👍 The tempo I played at was just to illustrate how it is usually performed by some of the great Jazz pianists.
@@MarkJohnson-du2bc picked this a couple months ago; and im still struggling with it😭, but it is a fun song though, so it hasnt been entirely painful to play!
![ABRSM Grade 8 Piano 2025 & 2026 [all 9 Pieces│with Sheet Music│ in 4k]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/XcsWWSwsXQo/mqdefault.jpg)
TECHNICAL CONSIDERATIONS
ABRSM’s recommended tempo for this piece is 168 crotchet beats per minute, but this seems quite slow compared to the original James P Johnson version and given that this is the final Grade 8 video of the ABRSM exam book series, it seemed a fun idea to play it at a tempo closer to the speed of that original piece, which is significantly faster. (by at least 15 crotchet bpm!)
Grade 8 candidates therefore should not be put off by the tempo at which I played this piece in the video, a tempo any faster than 168 bpm certainly would seem to bring out the high-energy and cheerful spirit of the music. However, in the published ABRSM Teaching Notes 2023 & 2024 it states that “Slightly tempering the suggested metronome mark to 152 crotchet bpm may ease some of the demands without adversely affecting the musical outcome.”
This is a highly challenging piece to learn at speed - in fact it is extremely difficult to play at tempos over 168 and that is probably why ABRSM have made such allowances tempo-wise.
The biggest challenge for most players will be the stride bass line because there are continuous jumps from the lower left hand notes to the chords and this must be practised very slowly in order to build up a relaxed motion - there should be no stiffness in the arm and wrist movement whatsoever. A good piano teacher will be well aware of this and can guide you appropriately. If you don’t master the left hand part you will never get the piece working properly hands together.
Furthermore, I would suggest memorising small sections of the left hand part - you will need to be looking at your hand whilst you play and not looking too much at the exam book. Just practising the left-hand part of bars 9 and 10 on a continuous loop to build up the fluency would be a good starting point - once you can play those two bars slowly, try playing along with a metronome to really tighten up the timing - if need be, set the metronome to a very slow tempo and be satisfied with that to begin with as it might well take some time before you can master playing those bars quicker without hitting wrong notes.
Some of the left hand parts might be very difficult, or even impossible to stretch - for example the 10ths of bar 76 (2nd time bar) and the following few bars - these may need to be simplified by missing the top note, or rolling the chords - in some cases playing an octave instead of a 10th could also work.
Dynamics are left up to the performer - hopefully this video will help give you some ideas! There is scope for light and shade in the contrasting sections.
A link is included below to the original James P Johnson version!
ruclips.net/video/I1kw2JjkxzM/видео.html
Out of curiosity, do they say anything about the 10ths for people who can't reach them?
I'm slightly confused as I don't see 10ths in bar 76 (1st or 2nd time) they are octaves. C - C, F - F etc. what am I missing?
@@naomiparsons462there's a 10th in the left hand of 2nd time bar 76
No one cares about my tiny hands😢
How long did you took to right that
1. You played it extremely well
2. Why did I pick this for my grading 😭
Agree😢
3. It’ quite easy when you understand it, like you know the rythm.
lowkey it doesn't seem that bad. it's kinda giving
what did u get for this piece?
same for 2😮💨
Love this jazzy piece! Very upbeat! Such perfect rhythm and really well syncopated! Beautiful!
Thanks for your lovely comment, I’m glad you enjoyed it! 😁👍
just passed grade 3 this week 🙌🏻 grade 8 seems so far away, but so did grade 3 when i started 5 years ago. as a betting man i reckon it’ll be 2035 before i get to grade 8, given the kids keeping me busy and not having much time to practice
If you have passion, you will eventually make it🙃
You can do it!🎉🎉❤
Idk how old u r but you might not be alive
@@SneakerFindz actually unhinged comment 💀💀
@@montymol3_467 shut up
So glad I picked this now it’s one of the only pieces that has me buzzing after I play it. Soo good
Man I love it! Gotta be one of my favourites from any ABRSM syllabus yet. Very well played too! :)
Thanks so much, I’m glad you enjoyed it! At speed this is quite a tough piece, even for Grade 8!
@@masterkeyz959 Yeah, it looks like a good challenge!
im only at grade 5 but id definitely choose this piece if i was at that stage ♡
Trust me, don’t😢 it’s harder than you thought…it sound real fun but also real hard😭
@@dana6210 im used to picking the seemingly harder songs tbh theyre just too catchy lol
As long as u practise everyday then it’s fine :)
PS i could only do 136 bpm rn ;(
cuz i only practise 3-4 days a week lol !!!
same here only grade 5 but I like this sonf
Grade 5 here too! My piano teacher says that the exam pieces change every 2 years so I'm not sure if u can play this when ur grade 8 😔
2 grade 8 pieces posted in one week! Thank you so much 😊
2 grade 8 pieces posted in one week? Wow that's insane
I do enjoy this piece, did switch to Debussy’s Arabesque no. 2 since (A) it was easier and (B) I have a newfound love of Impressionism. Still, a great song
same!!but for my 4th piece im still getting back to this piece to try it out
bloody awesome piece, couldnlisten over and over
Blooming lovely! Sounds so nice I'm playing this for my grade 8! Fingers crossed that i get distinction!
Thanks so much, and best of luck with your grade 8 preparations!
me too :)
Wow, good playing. Just starting this wonderful sounding piece
Thanks for your lovely comment, good luck! 🤩👍
Awesome playing! This is my fav over the bars vid😊
I love this song ans is jazzy like how i wanted to be thank you so much for this piece 😊
I plan to take it now ^^ sounds amazing
The best version I have ever heard!
Amazing!!!!!
Let’s goooo 🎉🎉 another beautiful piece and video!!
Ahh thanks so much for watching! We are back in full force, many different piano videos to come! stay tuned
I picked it and it’s going well for me
This song is played so beautifully! Keep up the good work 🎉
This piece is not as hard so you may think it looks harder because he wanted to play it faster than the required amount. Any piece fast looks hard 😂😂
"if you can play (or screw) it slowly, you can play (or screw) it quickly"
Recordings of JP Johnson himself seem to say otherwise. He plays twice as fast (although I wonder if old recording are played accelerated, like old movies)
What's the required bpm?
Nvm it's in the pinned comment, 168
actully the piano is computer hand i checked on goolgle it was not real people playing
it is very hard bro, i’ve been struggling for 3 months
I love this part 1: 26
I was choosing this piece and I honestly thought you wouldn’t publish your video in time before I went for the exam
I guess I was wrong😂
It was a long time coming that’s for sure! Hopefully now we should be back to more regular uploads and there will be some lovely piano pieces coming, so stay tuned and good luck with your exam!
What on earth hahaha this looks exciting and terrifying at the same time. I feel like at grade 8 you could pretty much play anything 😊
I love this song so much!! Wish I was earlier enough to be in grade 8 so badd😅😅😂
We love you 💞😊
I picked it and I have no regrets
I love this interpretation!
I love this song now
Nice song😊
Very nice
i will pick this sons
i have a request 😄: is it possible for you to perform Chopin Nocturne op.9 no.3?
I love this song the most out of the whole grade 8 exam syllabus BUT LMAO I CANT BELIEVE I AM DOING THIS
Did you forget about impromptu in b minor
@@Kam-Calligraphyyeah the best😊
@@Kam-Calligraphy HAHAH TRUE
just in case if yall didn't know the actual name fr this song is called steeplechase rag n its a lil bit different. great job on over the bars tho, keep it up
*you got a slight advantage cuz u got big hands ;)
This is like the final boss song of abrsm
Indeed it is! 😎👌
great
Im literally working on this piece for 7 months
Hey Master Keyz I wonder how to u usually play the crazy 8ve notes 😱😱😱😱
A quick question, do we have to repeat again and again for the second box or just we just play it like the way in the video🤔️
no need to repeat they won't deduct marks
太好听了，我实在忍不住想要彈
Best Grade 8 song 🗿
SE7 3TR is my postcode. If anyone is struggling come to this postcode and I'll teach you 😊❤
Hi mate! just learnt this piece for my C piece of ABRSM grade 8. What do you think are the easiest pieces from A and B groups. Thanks brother.
Def a1 and b1!!! But i recommmend following ur own taste, cuz it helps u to keep going ;)
@@CCFUNGPUIKAyeah you are so right
Will rather recommend a3 and b3 though. A1 is really mostly about timing since there are Demi quavers all around. A2 is more about endurance since it’s 8 pages long. A3 is just nice 6 pages with not that many problems. B1 is very intensive on blending the notes well while b2 is well, fast abt c108. B3 is more on the feeling, something similar to b1 but ultimately offers not that many scales. Idk bro I’m just saying. Vibes are more important.
Omg I got a disstinction on grade eight😊
How are your fingers soooo long? What should I do if I have short fingers for the LH chords like in bar 49b -55b? Thank you!!!
Put it in two two part and play it very fast
This sounds so good... I'm dancing, LOL FAV PART is 0:38
Why do I like it so much
I’m starting grade 8 and this piece seems quite fast and I like it quite a lot
DONT DO IT, do the arabesque, it seems harder at first but it’s much more doable than this, i switched about half way in to my grade 8 journey and still managed to get 29/30 on the arabesque last week
i’ve been learning for like 2 months and i’m half way through
Is this a good piece for my diploma
Oh mah gawd this is so hard T-T
1:28 i am gonna die at this part
I already did ✨
It's actually really simple, all the chords are just a semitone lower
Choose this if you want to continuously wave at your piano
Somehow I find myself trying to learn this piece and I am grade six!(I mean my abrsm level not age)
I’m only on grade 6 but I just think that this is amazing
Insane performance. I took ABRSM grade 8 with 135/150, and now that I’m playing this, I’m struggling hard 😂
This is very tricky to play at the fast tempo I performed it at, so best of luck! Great exam result by the way!
@@masterkeyz959that’s why I’m practicing the left hand strides slowly at first to get more consistent. I really like your interpretation :)
thank you so much for this video, im in grade 8 right now but im a bit confused on the repeat parts ([1. ], [2. ]) if you know what i mean, could you explain to me what you did here? im not sure if you just skipped it 😭 anyway thank you for the video! 🙏🙏
He always includes a long description. Effort
Thanks!
What will be other easiest piece in c section?
Please do suggest me
C13 Danny boy is Super easy! 😊
Nice! I am only at grade 5 and the pieces are already hard so people who chose this would probably have a problem.😅
good job! This sure is challenging 😅
gon spend the next year playing this song
How on earth do you page turn!!! I cant find a reasonably place to do it without affecting the flow of the piece!!?!?!??!?!
Question why aren't you playing the repeats? do i need to play repeats for the exam?
You usually don’t need to play repeats in ABRSM exams except in exceptional circumstances - the performance of this piece is in the correct form. Good luck!
@@masterkeyz959 thank you, that helps a lot because it means I can skip a lot of piece because a lot of the music is in the 1st half of the repeat lol
Second question:
would i be allowed to play it faster than the original marking like you did? or would i be marked down for not following the correct tempo
The original piece is faster than it was recorded here, we thought the tempo dragged a bit for the abrsm recommendation in reflection of how it should sound. I doubt you'd be marked down.
@@masterkeyz959 Thank you
I can’t play that fast, so I played it slower, will it be fine in the abrsm or will I get a lot of points deducted? Thanks!!
You will be absolutely fine playing this piece slower🤩👍 The tempo I played at was just to illustrate how it is usually performed by some of the great Jazz pianists.
I have tried grade 9 today but it was hard 😰
Then I give up 😭
0:21 0.27 0.29 0.36
could you pls do A10
I can play this song bc I got a piano teacher
I just practiced this and my hands are shaking rn😂
From left to right 😊
We have this whole piece of workout in G8 and theres Rondo Alla Turca in the new G8 syllabus?? The standards are gone holy
Joplin vibes
0:06
it will take years for me to learn this piece😢
My hand to small😢😢
didnt lock in, lets justr say the edging session ended badly
I got grade 8 in 2 year from grade 1 to 8
I will explode
Sounds good but hard at the same time
This piece sounds and looks really hard and you could easily make a mistake
I heard that songs before
Me in grade 6 looking at grade 8 pieces for some reason
Omg so relatable😅
I did I am in year 6😢😅 it’s hard
Not me all he way in Australia playing ameb music..
Is there a difference between ameb and abrsm?
Learnt it in 3 weeks 😂
One more grade😢 im grade 7
dam i chose this piece😅
Feux follet vibes
1:26 how will I play this I’m only 11 and my hands are tiny
1:43 even more impossible. I’m ten. Unfortunately, I am doing grade eight. Idk how I am going to play this😢
same
@@melikemozart78903too damm right it’s impossible when ur hands are small
@@melikemozart78903then don’t wait till ur 14 then take
@@melikemozart78903what did u end up doing instead? im considering on choosing this piece but my hands are also too small
Original speed is crazy!
You missed a part
repeats left out
what part he missed? he didn’t miss any part
omg so hard
Oh my goodness😂
My hand is not big enough for 1:06 😭
Me too, my hand can only play octave at most , I use arpeggio in the bar
Stuartbunyan3245,I’m doing grade 7 piano😂😂😂😂
Me
No one in grade 8 will ever pick this piece
i’m picking this
Why do you say that? my son has picked this, do you consider it difficult for a grade 8?
@@MarkJohnson-du2bcwell mr Johnson. THIS IS THE HARDEST PIECE
so much fun to play though if you can!
@@MarkJohnson-du2bc picked this a couple months ago; and im still struggling with it😭, but it is a fun song though, so it hasnt been entirely painful to play!
There is no way that is grade 8
How many grades are there?
The fact that i learned this in under 5 hours and im grade 4 just using this vid
no you did not
😂😂😂😂😂 great one