Table Of ContentPercussion Syllabus
Drum Kit, Tuned Percussion, Snare Drum, Drum Kit, Tuned Percussion, Snare Drum,
Timpani & Orchestral Percussion
Timpani & Orchestral Percussion
2011–2013
Trinity Guildhall Examinations
Trinity College London
Registered office:
89 Albert Embankment
London SE1 7TP UK
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www.trinityguildhall.co.uk
Registered in the UK. Company no. 02683033. Charity no. 1014792
Patron HRH The Duke of Kent KG
Executive Director & Head of Academic Governance (Performing & Creative Arts)
Mark Stringer GMusRNCM(Hons) FTCL ARCM ARCO(CHM) PGCE HonLRSL FRSA
Chief Examiner in Music
Nicholas Keyworth DipHE BA(Hons) FRSA
Syllabus Manager
Lindsay Danby BMus(Hons)
Head of Operations (Performing & Creative Arts)
Abigail McElheron BA(Hons) HonTCL
Copyright © 2010 Trinity College London
Second impression, May 2011
Contents
Introduction.....................................................................................................................3
Certificate examinations .......................................................................................3
Grade examinations
Structure, duration & marking ........................................................................................4
Technical Work ...................................................................................................................6
Pieces ....................................................................................................................................7
Supporting Tests:
Sight Reading ..............................................................................................................8
Aural .............................................................................................................................10
Unpitched Aural tests for Drum Kit ....................................................................14
Improvisation .............................................................................................................16
Musical Knowledge ...................................................................................................19
Requirements:
Drum Kit (subject code DKT) .................................................................................21
Orchestral Percussion (subject code ORC) ......................................................30
Tuned Percussion (subject code TUN) ...............................................................31
Snare Drum (subject code SND) .........................................................................43
Timpani (subject code TMP) .................................................................................52
Certificate Examinations for ensembles
Structure, duration & marking .......................................................................................61
Obtaining music — publishers’ contact details ...................................62
Trinity Guildhall publications ..........................................................................64
2
Percussion Syllabus 2011–2013
Introduction
This syllabus contains full details of Grade and Certificate examinations in Drum Kit, Tuned Percussion,
Snare Drum, Timpani and Orchestral Percussion. It is valid from 1 January 2011 to 31 December 2013, and
supersedes all previous syllabuses. A new syllabus will be published in August 2013 with requirements
from 2014.
During the first session of 2011, candidates may offer Pieces, Technical Work or Rudimental Study
from either the 2007–2010 syllabus or the 2011–2013 syllabus. A mixture of both syllabuses may not be
offered. In all cases, from 1 January 2011, Supporting Tests must be taken from the 2011–2013 syllabus.
When this syllabus is replaced there will be an overlap for the first session only of 2014, during which
candidates will be able to offer pieces from the 2011–2013 lists.
Full details of entry procedures, examination regulations and marking criteria are given in a separate
booklet — Information and Regulations — which is available direct from Trinity’s Head Office, Local
Representatives or from our website www.trinityguildhall.co.uk. This booklet is updated annually and
candidates should ensure that they consult the current version for the year of entry.
Certificate examinations
Certificate examinations offer an alternative, performance-focused route of progression to the
graded examinations suite. They contain no technical work or supporting tests, and are available
for Drum Kit at three levels:
Foundation (standard around Grade 3)
Intermediate (standard around Grade 5)
Advanced (standard around Grade 8)
For full details, including repertoire and guidelines, please visit the Trinity Guildhall website
www.trinityguildhall.co.uk/CertificateExams
Trinity Guildhall examinations are offered and delivered by Trinity College London, the international
examinations board.
Trinity College London is an awarding body recognised in the United Kingdom by the Office of
Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual) in England, the Welsh Assembly Government
(WAG) and the Northern Ireland Council for Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA).
Trinity’s qualifications are accredited by these authorities within the Qualifications Framework.
Various arrangements are in place with governmental education authorities worldwide.
3
Grade Examinations
Structure
Trinity Guildhall’s practical examination grades are numbered from 1 to 8 in increasing order of
difficulty.
The structure of graded percussion examinations is as follows:
Pieces
Candidates play two pieces and a study, chosen from the published list(s). In Drum Kit only two pieces
are chosen, and in Orchestral Percussion candidates play three pieces.
Technical Work
Technical work is tailored for each discipline. Drum Kit candidates play a Rudimental Study, Tuned
Percussionists play scales and arpeggios, Snare Drum candidates are required to prepare a roll
study and orchestral figures and Timpanists will be tested on timpani tuning. Orchestral Percussion
candidates must take the technical work set for Tuned Percussion.
Supporting Tests
For percussion examinations there are two further tests:
Up to and including Grade 5, candidates may choose any two tests from:
Aural (or Unpitched Aural — Drum Kit only*)
Sight Reading
Improvisation
Musical Knowledge (Tuned Percussion and Timpani only)
In Grades 6, 7 and 8, Test 1 must be Sight Reading. For Test 2 there is a choice between Aural and
Improvisation.
* Unpitched Aural Tests are available to Drum Kit candidates at all centres, though at non-specialist
centres this test will be administered using a CD.
At the examination, candidates should note on the Appointment Slip which test(s) have been chosen.
Order of examination
For timpanists, the Technical Work must constitute the first element of the examination and must
be unaided. The remaining elements for Timpani, and all elements for other instruments, will usually
follow the order printed in the syllabus. If preferred, an alternative order may be presented; the
requested sequence must be written on the back of the appointment slip and pointed out to the
examiner at the start of the examination.
Duration
Level Duration in minutes
Grade 1 15
Grade 2 15
Grade 3 16
Grade 4 21
Grade 5 21
Grade 6 27
Grade 7 27
Grade 8 32
4
Grade examinations
Marking
Graded Percussion examinations
The maximum marks available are as follows:
Piece 1 22
Piece 2 22
Piece 3 22
Technical Work 14
Test 1 10
Test 2 10
TOTAL 100
Pass is awarded at 60; Merit is awarded at 75; Distinction is awarded at 87
The mark out of 22 for each piece* is made up of three component marks, awarded for:
• Notational Accuracy & Fluency (7 marks)
How well the notes are prepared and realised. More conveniently thought of as: ‘Me and the Music’.
• Technical Facility (7 marks)
Instrumental control and the ability to draw the most from the instrument; tone colour, articulation,
pedalling etc: ‘Me and the Instrument’.
• Communication & Interpretation (8 marks)
How well the candidate interprets the music, engages the audience and conveys a sense of the
meaning of the music they are playing: ‘Me and the Audience’.
Graded Drum Kit examinations
The maximum marks available are as follows:
Piece 1 28
Piece 2 28
Technical Work 24
Test 1 10
Test 2 10
TOTAL 100
Pass is awarded at 60; Merit is awarded at 75; Distinction is awarded at 87
The mark out of 28 for each piece* is made up of three component marks, awarded for:
• Notational Accuracy & Communication (9 marks)
Rhythmic accuracy, attention to detail, clarity of presentation and a sense of performance.
• Technical Facility (9 marks) (summary as above)
• Time Keeping & Style (10 marks)
How well the candidate keeps time with the backing track, how consistent the time playing is overall
and how idiomatic the playing is, appropriate to the grade.
For more detail, please see the ‘Mark Scheme’ and ‘Assessment Criteria’ sections in the Information and
Regulations booklet, which is available from Trinity’s Head Office, Local Representatives or from the
website www.trinityguildhall.co.uk.
* Note that ‘piece’ may occasionally consist of more than one musical item.
5
Grade examinations
Technical Work
Tuned Percussion Scales and Arpeggios
All scales and arpeggios are to be played from memory.
Scales should be played hand to hand with a confident and even sound, mezzo-forte. For Grades 1 and
2, the examiner will stipulate the hand to begin with; Grades 3 to 8 may begin with either hand at the
candidate’s choice.
Minor scales
In Grades 1 and 2, candidates may choose to play either harmonic or melodic or natural minor scales.
In Grades 3, 4 and 5 candidates have a choice of harmonic or melodic and in Grades 6, 7 and 8 both
harmonic and melodic minors must be prepared.
Tempi for scales and arpeggios
A minimum pace is required, increasing gradually grade by grade. All scales and aprgeggios should be
prepared in even quavers.
Grade Scales Arpeggios Scales in Dom. & dim.
& broken chords thirds sevenths
Grade 1 = 70 = 100 — —
q e
Grade 2 = 80 = 120 — —
q e
Grade 3 = 90 = 140 — —
q e
Grade 4 = 100 = 160 — —
q e
Grade 5 q = 110 q. = 60 — q = 90
Grade 6 q = 120 q. = 66 q = 60 q = 100
Grade 7 q = 130 q. = 72 q = 70 q = 110
Grade 8 q = 140 q. = 80 q = 80 q = 120
Broken chord patterns
Broken Chords should be prepared in groups of four quavers, as given in the example below:
Timpani tuning
Timpani should be tuned upward to the required note requested by the examiner and must be unaided.
6
Grade examinations
Pieces
Repeats, solos & tempi
All repeats, including da capo and dal segno instructions, should be observed in Percussion
examinations. Solos, fills and other non-notated elements should be of a standard consistent with
the other pieces in the examination, and should demonstrate knowledge of the range of rudiments
required for the grade. Metronome marks are given merely as a guide to performance, and candidates
should observe terms showing the tempo and/or character of the music (e.g. Lento, Allegro) in their
performance.
Accompanied pieces
In Drum Kit examinations at all grades, the Group A piece must be played with the backing CD sold with
the book (see page 21).
Up to and including Grade 3, at least one accompanied piece must be performed in all other percussion
examinations. From Grade 4 onwards the candidate may choose whether to perform any accompanied
piece(s). In all circumstances any published accompaniment must be performed with the piece; solo
performances of accompanied pieces are not acceptable.
Accompanists and page-turners
Trinity Guildhall does not provide accompanists nor can the examiner act as an accompanist or page-
turner. Difficult page-turns should be overcome by photocopying the relevant pages. A page-turner may
assist in Grades 6–8 examinations if absolutely necessary, but may remain in the examination room only
whilst (s)he is needed. Candidates may use a recording of the piano accompaniment in examinations up
to and including Grade 3. Recordings of accompaniments need not be commercial products but must be
of good CD quality and must not include the solo part; cassette recordings are not acceptable.
Playing from memory
Candidates are free to play any or all of their pieces from memory, and to do so is likely to help with
the security of their knowledge and their ability to communicate. It is not obligatory, however, and no
separate marks are given for memorisation. Candidates who play from memory must ensure that an
original copy of the music performed is brought to the examination for the examiner’s reference.
Music and copies
Candidates are reminded that they must perform from an original copy of the relevant sheet music
in the exam room. If an unauthorised copy (including an unauthorised photocopy) is used, candidates
should be aware that Trinity may not award marks in relation to the performance of the prohibited
piece(s) of music. Original copies of sheet music can be purchased or downloaded from music shops
and publishers, for whom contact details are given at the end of this syllabus. Details regarding the
legitimacy of all forms of sheet music can be obtained from the UK Music Publishers Association’s Code
of Fair Practice, available at www.mpaonline.org.uk.
It is strongly recommended that original copies of music needed for examinations are obtained before
an examination entry is made; allowances cannot be made for delays in obtaining music. Candidates
should note that variations in worldwide availability may occasionally be encountered; the contents of
books should always be checked before purchase.
Examiners of grade examinations welcome the provision of reference copies of pieces not published
by Trinity Guildhall. Photocopies can legitimately be used for this purpose; any copies provided will be
retained by the examiner and destroyed after the examination.
7
Grade examinations
Supporting Tests
Sight Reading
Sight Reading tests are set at the level of a piece prescribed approximately two grades lower than the
grade undertaken; for instance, Grade 5 candidates should be able to read at sight the level of piece
set for Grade 3 performance. Tests will follow the parameters given below. Note that all parameters
are cumulative; the keys etc. used at each grade may also include any variable set for any previous
grade. For Snare Drum rudiments please refer to Pieces and Studies for Snare Drum Grades 1–5 and
Grades 6–8. Timpani candidates will be required to sight read on two timpani in Grades 1–5 and three
timpani in Grades 6–8.
Candidates will be allowed 30 seconds to study the test before they attempt it. During this time
they may practise any or all of the piece aloud. The examiner will only take account of the actual
performance of the test.
Sight Reading parameters for Drum Kit
Time
Rhythm Dynamics/Notation
Grade Signatures
(cumulative*) (cumulative*)
(cumulative*)
1 4 , , Î p, mf, f
!q e
2 — hi hat with foot
x
mp
3 3, 1 rim click
accent
3 3 6 pp, ff, cresc., dim.
4 2
flams
, ,
fp
drags
3 roll notation
5 6
, open hi hat
closed hi hat
6 , 9, C — ruffs
7 7 — any
8 any any any
* Please note, at any given grade candidates are expected to know the requirements of the preceding grade(s).
8
Grade examinations
Sight Reading parameters for Tuned Percussion, Snare Drum and Timpani
Key Signature
Grade (tuned percussion/ Time Signature Dynamics Notation
timpani only)
C, G, F majors notes
(Tuned Percussion) q, e, x
1 2, 3, 4 p, mf, f rests Î
!
A minor
other —
notes
D major
2 6 mp, ff rests Î , ä
D minor roll (Snare Drum only),
other ties
trills (Timpani only)
3
notes
Bb, Eb majors ,
3 — pp, cresc., dim. rests —
syncopation
B, E minors other acciaccaturas
accents
6
A major
(Tuned Percussion) notes (Snare Drum only)
3
G major (Timpani)
4 1 —
rests —
rolls
G minor other hat accents
accidentals
Ab major 3 6
notes
, h,
C, F majors (Timpani)
5 9, 8 fp
rests !Å
C#, F# minors !!! other pause (Timpani only)
notes
E major
6 5, fz rests —
C, F minors other 2–note chords
(Tuned Percussion only)
notes any
7 — any marking rests any
7, other any
all majors changing metres notes any
8 — rests any
all minors other any
9
Grade examinations
Aural
Four tests are given for each grade (two for Grade 8), designed to develop the candidate’s abilities in the
fields of musical perception, discrimination, memory, understanding, analysis and response. The tests,
which are all based on the same example to encourage a deepening of knowledge, are carefully graded
from basic skills to more advanced understanding.
NB Tests for Grade 1 are all in major keys; Grades 2—5 and 8 may be in major or minor.
Grade 6 tests are major and Grade 7 are minor. Tests involving printed copies given to
candidates will be provided in treble clef for most instruments, and in bass or alto clef for
instruments normally reading those clefs.
Grade 1
1. i) To clap back the rhythm of a four–bar melody in 2, or 3 time, played twice;
ii) to state the time signature.
2. To state, after hearing the melody again, whether the last note was higher, lower or the same as the
first note.
3. To state, after hearing the melody again, whether the melody was played mainly legato or staccato.
4. To listen to the melody played twice more, first as originally heard and then with a change to the
pitch at one point, and to indicate where the change occurs. Candidates will not be required to
describe the change.
Grade 2
1. To listen once to a short melody in 2 or 3, and to indicate a sense of the pulse and time signature
during a second playing. Candidates should respond by either conducting clearly, using a simple,
conventional, beat-shape or alternatively by other methods, provided the strong beats are indicated
distinctly. The examiner will bring the candidate in at the start of the second playing.
2. To state, after hearing the melody again, whether the last note was higher, lower or the same as
the first note.
3. To listen to the complete melody again and to state:
i) whether it was in a major or minor key;
ii) the dynamic level at the start and how it changed during the piece. Crescendo and
diminuendo may be included.
4. To listen to one half of the melody played twice more, first as originally heard and then with a
change in the rhythm or melody, and to identify the type of change made.
Grade 3
1. To listen once to a short melody in 3 or 4, and to indicate a sense of the pulse and time signature
during a second playing. Candidates should respond by either conducting clearly, using a simple,
conventional, beat-shape or alternatively by other methods, provided the strong beats are indicated
distinctly. The candidate may begin right at the start, or can join in once the melody is under way.
10
Description:Percussionists play scales and arpeggios, Snare Drum candidates are How well the candidate interprets the music, engages the audience and conveys a sense of the . are cumulative; the keys etc. used at each grade may also include any
