July 2007

Questions on AMEB Exam

July 19, 2007 00:38

A while ago someone emailed me through v.com with questions about AMEB Grade 8 practical and theory exam requirements. I’m not sure if you have receive my reply, but here is what I know:

Theory Requirement for Practical Exam
For Grade 8 practical exam, you are required to pass Grade 4 Theory of Music or Grade 4 Musicianship exam. This is equivalent to ABRSM Grade 6 Theory of Music. You need not pass the theory paper prior to taking the practical exam. However, you will only receive your Grade 8 practical certificate upon completion of the theory requirement.

Grade 4Theory of Music Exam
If you visit Allans Music Store, they will have some theory exercise books. I recommend you get one that has an answer book (buy separately). This way you can check your understanding of what you have learnt. It is also a good idea to get 1 or 2 previous year exam paper for practice. You’ll have a good idea the way questions are asked and the marks are allocated to the different questions. You are also required to memorise 3 songs in which you will be asked to write 1 out from memory (lyrics will not be required). Refer to the Syllabus for the 3 songs for year 2007 exams. The basic topics for Grade 4 are:

• Composition (write melody to given lyrics or given rhythm)
• Scales up to 5 sharps and flats
• Intervals (unison to octave, major/minor, augmented, diminished)
• Cadences (Perfect V-I, Plagal IV-I, Interrupted V-VI)
• Harmony (6 bars I think, in vocal or piano style for a given melodic or bass line)
• Transposition (including alto or tenor clefs)
• Rhythm (simple/compound, duple/triple/quadruple)
• General knowledge (baroque partitas, Italian/French terms as listed in the syllabus, string instruments)
• Memorisation of Folk song (1 out of 3)

That’s about it I think.

1: Grade 8 Practical Exam
4 exam pieces, one from each list (list A to D). I was advised to select those of different period, style to make the program more interesting.

2: Technicals
Choose 1 between Group A to C with the following:

4 Octave
4 octave scales and arpeggios: major and minor arpeggios to be played continuously.

4 1ing Scale
you choose tonal center, examiner choose string

3 Octave
• Scales: major, melodic and harmonic minors to be played continuously (you choose tonal center, examiner choose bowing)
• Arpeggios: minor, major, relative minor, subdominant major, subdominant minor, dominant diminished 7th, dominant augmented 7th to be played continuously.
• Broken 3rds (your choice of bowing)
• Chromatic scale

Double-stops in major and harmonic minor
3rds, 6th, 8ve (your choice of bowing). 8ve also in melodic minor

1 Octave Harmonics scale and arpeggios
Your choice of rhythm, either as written or same as those in 1ing scale.

Note: you must choose different tonal center for 1ing, 3-octave, double-stops and harmonics.

Exercise:
1. Preparation for 10th
2. String crossing: either (a) excerpts from Bach’s prelude from partita in E or 2(b) excerpts from Bach’s E major concerto 1st movement
3. Sautille: excepts from Paganini Perpetum mobile

Sight-reading

Aural Test

General knowledge
Be careful, I’m told that candidates will be asked quite tough questions on the 4 pieces performed. Generally you must know the music inside out: all the terms, structure/form, harmonic progression, piano part of the pieces, composer, period, style of the period etc. I’d also learn other famous works composed by the composer, his contemporaries, what/who influenced him, pieces by other composers... just as much as you can learn.

That’s all I think. Best of luck… to us!

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MPO, I've missed you!

July 1, 2007 10:28

I'm back in Malaysia for a quick 2-week visit. The first thing that came to my mind when it came to writing my "must do" list during my visit was to eat all the food that I've missed, to get my clothing supply for the next 2 years (hard to find Asian sizes in Melbourne), visit all my close friends, renew my passport, etc.

The one the came later to my mind but pint to the top of my list was to attend a concert at the Malaysian Philharmornic Orchestra (MPO). Today, I did just that. It reminded me how much I've enjoyed MPO concerts and the concert hall in the twin tower. There were familiar faces in the orchestra, but some I couldn't remember, or perhaps new. At the concert, I felt that I was finally home.

I shall make an effort to attend 2 more concerts before I leave. I'VE MISSED YOU, MPO!

P/S No. 1: Joshua Bell will be coming to play with the MPO, but 2 days after my return to Melbourne! Darn! Why does this keep happening to me??? First it was Menuhin conducting the MPO back in 1997, then Gil Shaham at the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, then Midori, now Joshua!

P/S No. 2: I passed my theory exam, but 1 mark short of passing with honours! Darn!

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