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Cadence School of Music
Cadence School of Music
Syllabus MUSIC
Velammal knowledge park
2020 -21
Our syllabus is specially designed to develop the skills that are specific to
chords and chord progressions, and technical exercises that focus on a variety of
show tunes, film themes, jazz, folk and world music, expertly arranged according
The syllabus and supporting books have been created in consultation with leading
musicians and music teachers. We hope you enjoy exploring the music in this
syllabus and we wish you every success in learning and your wider music-making.
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Cadence school of music – Syllabus 2020 - 2021
Syllabus for Keyboard, Piano, Guitar
BEGINNER.
ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
LEARNING OUTCOMES
1. Perform music in a variety of styles set for the 1.1 Apply skills, knowledge and understanding to
grade present performances that demonstrate careful
preparation, musical awareness and the beginning
of thoughtful interpretation
2. Demonstrate technical ability on an instrument 2.1 Demonstrate familiarity with the fundamentals
through responding to set technical demands of instrumental command
3. Respond to set musicianship tests 3.1 Recognise and respond to simple elements of
music in a practical context
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Cadence school of music – Syllabus 2020 - 2021
Learning outcomes and assessment criteria
INTERMEDIATE.
ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
LEARNING OUTCOMES
1. Perform music in a variety of styles set for the 1.1 Support their intentions in musical
grade performance
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Cadence school of music – Syllabus 2020 - 2021
ADVANCED
1. Perform music in a variety of styles set for the 1.1 Integrate their musical skills, knowledge and
grade understanding in performance
3. Respond to set musicianship tests 3.1 Recognise and respond to musical features in
a practical context
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Cadence school of music – Syllabus 2020 - 2021
KEYBOARD & PIANO
Intro to Chords
C Major crotchet &
C major 2/4, 4/4 mf and Rhythm &
Family Minim Notes
minim &
G Major Introducing
G major 2/4, 3/4, 4/4 Semibreve f minor chords
Family
rest
Quarter 1
D Major Family of
D Major 2/4, 3/4, 4/4 dotted notes P chords
Family
Intro to
A Major intro to sheet Accompaniment
A Major pp and Auto
family music
Rhythm
F Major Intro to
F & D Minor 3/8, syncopation ff Arpeggio
Family
Quarter 2
all common
B & G# chords and Clefs, stave, Chord
6/8. dominant 7th
Crescendo Inversions
Minor bar lines
chords
minor 7th
B flat major chords on Notes on one octave
7/8. white root
diminuendo arpeggios
& G Minor ledger lines
notes only
minor 7th
Scale/arpeggio two octave
FEBUARY Eb major chords on
arpeggios
black notes pattern
major 7th
All Major & chords on
Relative Major
MARCH Minor black notes Octaves
diminished & Minors
Chords
chords
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Cadence school of music – Syllabus 2020 - 2021
• Posture at the keyboard
• Use of a little weight when dropping into a key to make soft tones
• Use of more weight when dropping into a key to make louder tones
• Bar lines
• Measures
INTERMEDIATE AND ADVANCED LEANERS WOULD BE TRAINED FOR TRINITY PIANO EXAMS
Pitch - grand staff; treble (G) clef and bass (F) clefs - names of notes up to five ledger
lines above or below treble and bass clefs - accidentals (sharp, flat, and natural) -
enharmonic equivalents of notes - whole tones (whole steps), diatonic and chromatic
Rhythm - time values of notes and rests from sixteenth to whole - dotted notes (half,
quarter, and eighth) - triplets (quarter, eighth, and sixteenth) - time signatures: 2/2, 3/2,
4/2, 2/4, ¾, 4/4, 2/8, 3/8, 4/8 - adding time signature, bar lines, and rests to a given
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Cadence school of music – Syllabus 2020 - 2021
GUITAR
E Major Relative
E Major dotted rests mp minors
Family
playing a riff
and about
F Major
F & D Minor 3/8, syncopation ff up-strokes
Family and down-
Quarter 2 strokes
all common
B & G# chords and Clefs, stave, Chord
6/8. dominant 7th
Crescendo Inversions
Minor barlines
chords
minor 7th
B flat major chords on Notes on pentatonic
7/8. white root
dimunendo scale
& G Minor ledger lines
notes only
minor 7th
Scale/arpeggio
FEBUARY Eb major chords on major scale
black notes pattern
major 7th
All Major & chords on
Relative Major
MARCH Minor black notes minor scale
diminished & Minors
Chords
chords
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Cadence school of music – Syllabus 2020 - 2021
ADVANCED LEANERS WOULD BE TRAINED IN THE FOLLOWING LESSON PLAN
Pitch
1. Naming and using notes in treble or bass clefs (to one leger line above or below the
stave)
4. C, F and G major keys, their scales, key signatures, one-octave arpeggios and tonic triads
(root position)
6. Concept of numbers 1–8 being used to name degrees of the major scale
9. Tonic triad labelled: — as a chord symbol above the music (e.g. C in the key of C major)
10. Intervals (as a number only — unison, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th and octave above C, F or G)
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Cadence school of music – Syllabus 2020 - 2021
Rhythm
1. Note values of semibreves, dotted minims, minims, crotchets and quavers (beamed in 2s,
4s or 6s only) using English terms (with an option to use American terms, e.g. minim or
half note)
2. Rest values of semibreves (including semibreve rests showing a whole bar’s rest in any
time signature), minims and crotchets using English terms (with an option to use
Musical words
Musical words and symbols Dynamic and articulation marks Pianissimo, piano, mezzo piano,
mezzo forte, forte, fortissimo, accents, crescendo, diminuendo, legato, slurs, staccato (and signs
and abbreviations for these where appropriate) Tempo marks and other signs Andante, allegro,
moderato, repeat marks, ritenuto (and signs and abbreviations for these where appropriate)
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Cadence school of music – Syllabus 2020 - 2021
DRUMS
Rudiments Time signatures* beats Dynamics STYLES Other
Intro to
Drums and Quarter Note mp, mf, f — few changes,
rhythm
4/4. Beats simple contrasts only
4/4 Rock Basic posture
Instruments
Playing with
more complex use of
the Ride and Eight Note Fills
semiquaver triplet
blues Clefs, stave, barlines
Bell
4/4 Rhythm
Accented Identify time
beats and fills
sequence with syncopation Swing signatures
Fills
Quarter 2
sixteen Note Accented beats
Beats and fills
Soul Metronome marks
Syncupated
Sixteen Note Grace note
Snare
Beats
Sixteen Note Fills rock ballad rudiments
Drumming
Broken Eighth
Simple semiquaver
Note Fills. Bass
FEBUARY Broken Fills
drum
independence in snare and Heavy rock Rudiment patterns
bass drum
independence
Occasional irregular Free
Bass drum time signatures, more Syncupated Bass Ghost notes, simple semiquaver/quaver
MARCH independence frequent changes of Drumming scrub/swish for brushes,
punk triplet syncopation
time signature across the kit
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Cadence school of music – Syllabus 2020 - 2021
Rudimental study
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Cadence school of music – Syllabus 2020 - 2021
VIOLIN
Scales and arpeggios would be taught in ascending then descending. Further information about specific
technical work requirements for each catagory is given in the relevant sections of this syllabus. Scales are
listed as starting with a long tonic, but may also be played in even notes.
Bowing exercises
The following table gives more information about bowing exercises at different levels
1. For sustained sound throughout both the bow stroke and the bow
changes. Candidates should play one of the Grade 1 scales with two
separate crotchets on each degree of the scale, one down bow and
one up bow.
Students should play one of the Grade 5 scales using a martelé bow
stroke, between the middle and the point of the bow. Immediately
after the initial ‘bite’ or pressure accent, the pressure must be
released. The bow then moves quickly, but does not leave the string.
INTERMEDIATE Each stroke should end before applying pressure for the next ‘bite’
at the start of the new stroke. This will result in an inevitable small
silence between each note.
Candidates should play one of the Grade 6 scales with each note of
the scale played as two spiccato quavers. The bow should start off
the string and leave the string after every note, creating a small
‘saucer’ or ‘smile’ shape over the string, and touching the string at
the lowest point of the ‘saucer’ or ‘smile’ shape.
ADVANCED Candidates should play one of the Grade 7 scales using hooked
bowing, as in the following example. The bow should stop before
each semiquaver, and the separation should be heard clearly.
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Cadence school of music – Syllabus 2020 - 2021
Scales and arpeggios for different level
2 G, D, A major
Beginner
3 C major; D, A minor
2 Eb major; C, B minor
Intermediate
1 E, Ab major; F, F# minor
Advanced
2 B, Db major; C# minor
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Cadence school of music – Syllabus 2020 - 2021
ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
BEGINNER
1. Produce a performance that demonstrates a basic foundation on their instrument and shows some
interpretation
2. Perform audibly with a sense of enthusiasm and enjoyment and with some awareness of audience
2.1 Demonstrate some sense of performance with some confidence and capacity for audience
engagement
4. Demonstrate a range of technical and musical abilities through either a quick study piece or
improvisation
4.1 Respond to a quick study piece with attention to note values and pitches
4.2 Improvise with some melodic development, some harmonic awareness, and a basic use of
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Cadence school of music – Syllabus 2020 - 2021
INTERMEDIATE
ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
1. Produce a performance that demonstrates careful preparation, understanding and the beginnings of
thoughtful interpretation
2. Perform clearly and accurately, with a sense of spontaneity and be able to create and convey mood to
the audience
2.1 Give a performance that is accurate and fluent with perceptive attention to musical and
notational details
3.1 Demonstrate a solid command of technique with musical and sensitive control of intonation
4. Demonstrate a range of technical and musical abilities through either a quick study piece or an
improvisation
4.1 Respond to a quick study piece with continuity of pulse, attention to note values and pitches,
4.2 Improvise with controlled melodic development, appropriate harmonic vocabulary, and full
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Cadence school of music – Syllabus 2020 - 2021
ADVANCED
ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
1. Produce a secure and sustained performance that demonstrates a stylistic awareness and mature
1.2 Perform with general evidence of stylistic awareness and some attempt to convey
1.3 Perform with a high level of musical sensitivity and a convincing grasp of appropriate
2. Perform with confidence and a sense of ownership and self-awareness that engages the
audience wholeheartedly
3. Show familiarity with the full compass of the instrument/voice and use some advanced
techniques
3.1 Give a performance that is technically reliable with generally secure intonation and a
4. Demonstrate a range of technical and musical abilities through either a quick study piece or
improvisation
4.1 Respond to a quick study piece with mostly accurate notes and tonality, adequate
4.3 Improvise with well-controlled and imaginative melodic development, clear and
appropriate harmonic vocabulary, appropriate length and full and creative use of
instrumental/vocal resources
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Cadence school of music – Syllabus 2020 - 2021
CARNATIC MUSIC - VOCAL SYLLABUS
BEGINNER
Practical
2. Jantai Varisais
3. 5 Carnatic or devotional compositions (including geethams and bhajans) – with raga / tala / composer
3. Demonstrate the following talas – Adi, Rupakam (3 beat), Khanda chapu, Misra chapu
4. 1 minute talk about any one of the following composers: Thyagaraja / Annamacharya / Purandaradasa
Aural Test
1. Student should know Mayamalava gowla swara sthanams and answer aural questions (recognize
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Cadence school of music – Syllabus 2020 - 2021
INTERMEDIATE
Practical
1. Any one of the following: Daatu Varisais, Mel sthayi varisais, Keezh sthayi varisais
2. Demonstrate the Sapta talas in various jathis and name the angas
3. Explain 10 basic Carnatic music related terms (list of terms to be given by student)
4. 2 minute talk about any two of the following composers: Thyagaraja / Dikshitar / Shyama Shastri /
Annamacharya / Purandaradasa
5. Student should be able to “sight read” arohanam / avarohanam when swara sthanams of an audava
Aural Test
1. Student should hear swara pattern and recognize if it is a shuddha madhyama vs. prathi madhyama raga
2. Student should hear swara pattern of an audava raga and be able to sing arohanam / avarohanam
3. Raga recognition: Student should hear 2 brief snippets in different ragams (say, A and B) and recognize
ADVANCED
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Cadence school of music – Syllabus 2020 - 2021
Includes syllabus from Level 1 and 2
Practical
1. Janta varisais and Alankarams to be sung in 4 melakarta ragams, apart from Mayamalavagowlai
2. 8 Carnatic kritis (including at least 4 Trinity compositions; should include one chapu tala) – with raga /
tala / composer
3. Any 1 from the following musical forms : Jatiswaram or Swara Pallavi or Swara sahityam or Swara jati
1. Explain 15 basic Carnatic music related terms (list of terms to be given by student)
4. 2 minute talk about any three of the following : varnam / kriti / Papanasam Sivan / Bhadrachala
5. Student should be able to “sight read” sancharams in a ragam (student to share a list of 3 audava and 2
Aural Test
1. Student should hear swara pattern and recognize if it is a shuddha madhyama vs. prathi madhyama raga
2. Student should hear swara pattern of an audava / shadava / sampoorna raga and be able to sing
arohanam / avarohanam
3. Raga recognition: Student should hear 3 brief snippets in different ragams (say, A B and C) and
4. Kriti appreciation: Student should hear a song snippet and answer simple questions – like recognizing
the composer from the mudhra or name of the God to who it is dedicated etc
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Cadence school of music – Syllabus 2020 - 2021
Intermediate and Advanced learners
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Cadence school of music – Syllabus 2020 - 2021
CARNATIC MUSIC – PERCUSSION
1 Definition of the following terms : Tala, Laya, Avartana, Kala, Kaala, Graha (Atita -
August to October
Anagata - Sama), Nada, Sangeetam, Svara, Sthayi, Raga, Alankara, Arohana, Avarohana,
4 Description and writing notation of sollukattus in Adi, Rupakam and chapu talas and its
varieties
November to
January
5 Brief lakshanas of musical forms - Geetam Svarajati, Varnam.
February to
10 To prepare and play Sollukattu for Adi, Rupaka, Triputa and Chapu tala varieties.
March
11 Accompaniment for musical form like Varnam, Kriti, jatiswaram, Padam and Tillana.
12 Knowledge to prepare Mohra and Korvai in Adi, Rupaka, Chapu and Triputa talas.
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Cadence school of music – Syllabus 2020 - 2021
CARNATIC MUSIC – VEENA
1 Brief history of Carnatic music with special reference to Saint Purandara Dasa, Saint
August to October
Tyagaraja, Muthuswamy Dikshitar, Syama Sastry, Swati Tirunal, Annamacharya and
Bhadrachala Ramadasa
4 Definitions of the following terms : Sangeetam, Nada, Arohana, Avarohana, Dhatu, Mathu,
November to January
Sruti, Sthayi, Alankara, Poorvanga, Uttaranga Laya - Vilamba, Madhya, Dhruta, Svara -
Suddha & Vikrita, Raga, Tala, Graha - (Sama, Atita, Anagata), Anya Svara.
6 Ability to describe the following Talas : Adi and Sooladi Sapta Talas
9 Raga lakshanas of Suddha Saveri, Sriranjani, Kambhoji, Abhogi, Nata, Hindolam and Hari
Kambhoji
tala.
12 Four Kriti in the prescribed ragas - Sriranjani, Suddha Saveri, kambhoji, Abhogi, Nata,
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Cadence school of music – Syllabus 2020 - 2021