(orn Cnc ee EL SLs Piano Exam Pieces ABRSM Grade 1 Selected from the VOY RE WACABRSM Piano Exams Here are some key points to help you prepare for your Grade 1 exam. All requirements are valid from 1 January 2023 until 31 December 2024. More detailed information on the syllabus requirements, as well as syllabus overlap information, can be found online at www.abrsm.org. Practical Grades Performance Grades ABRSM Practical Grades are our long-standing qualifications ABRSM Performance Grades are new qualifications that test all-round musical skills, demonstrated through introduced in 2020. They allow learners to focus on and the playing of repertoire (three Pieces) and completing showcase their performance skills. The exams are digital supporting tests (Scales and arpeggios, Sight-reading, and _ assessments using a video recording of the performance Aural tests). The exams are face-to-face assessments led by made in one continuous take (four Pieces, in any order). an examiner and the six components can be taken in any There is also an assessment of the Performance as a whole. order. See the Practical Grades syllabus for full details See the Performance Grades syllabus for full details Pieces (coth Practical & Performance Grade) ‘This book contains nine pieces from ABRSM's 2023 & 2024 Grade I Piano syllabus. ‘You can choose from the pieces in this book and/or the other pieces set for the grade: a full list is on the inside back cover. For a Practical Grade, you will need to play three pieces, one from each of the three syllabus lists (A, B and C). Fora Performance Grade, you will need to play four pieces, one from each of the three syllabus lists (A, B and C) and a fourth of your own choice, which might also be from the lists. See the relevant syllabus (Practical or Performance) for full details of ‘what is required when selecting and preparing pieces for your exam, including how to deal with repeats. Performance as a whole (Performance Grade only) Ina performance, you take your audience on a journey with you and it is important to engage and hold their attention from the first to the last note. For a Performance Grade, itis important to consider how your pieces are contrasted, the order in which they are presented and the different moods and characters they inhabit. After your performance is completed, the examiner will award a mark based on how well you delivered and sustained its a coherent and convincing performance event, not just a series of individual pieces. Scales and arpeggios (Practica! Grade ony) Learning scales and arpeggios helps you to build strong technical skills by developing reliable finger movement, hand position, co-ordination and keyboard fluency. It also helps you to develop your musical understanding through familiarity with keys and their related patterns. You can find a complete list of scales and arpeggios required for Grade 1 Practical in the back of this book. For full details, please see the Practical Grades syllabus. Sight-reading (Practical Grade only) Learning to sight-read helps you to develop quick recognition of keys, tonality and common rhythm patterns. It also helps you to learn to keep going even when you make mistakes, and work music out for yourself which makes learning new pieces quicker and easier. Ina Practical Grade, you will be asked to play a short piece of music that you have not seen before. You will be given half a minute to look through and, if you wish, try out all or any part of the test before the examiner asks you to play it for assessment. For the full sight-reading parameters, please see the Practical Grades syllabus. Aural tests (Practical Grade only) Aural skills enable you to assess the sound and balance of your playing, keep in time and play with a sense of rhythm and pulse. These skills also help you to develop your sense of pitch, your musical memory and to spot any mistakes. Please see the Practical Grades syllabus for full details of the tests, which will be given by the examiner from the piano. Editorial guidance ‘We have taken the pieces in this book from a variety of sources. Where appropriate, we have edited the pieces to help you prepare for your performance. We have added metronome markings (in square brackets) and ornament realisations. Details of other changes or suggestions are given in the footnotes. These editorial additions are for guidance only: you do ‘met hades wy Bellies thins tn thie aaiten.Piano Exam Pieces Name ABRSM Grade 1 Selected from the 2023 & 2024 syllabus Date of exam Contents pase USTA 1 Anton Diabelli Allegretto in C: No.3 from Die ersten 12 Lectionen, Op. 125 2 Marjorie Helyer Dragonflies: from The Greenwood Tree 3° Alexander Reinagle Minuet in C: No. 10 from 24 Short and Easy Pieces, Op. 1 UST B 1 Andrew Eales Fresh Air 5 2 Florence B. Price A Morning Sunbeam: No.3 from Three Sketches for Little Pianists 6 3 Michael Head The Quiet Wood 8 ust 1 Shruthi Rajasekar Virginia Hall 9 2 Martha Mier Sneaky Business: from Jazz, Rags & Blues, Book 1 10 3 Caroline Tyler Little Whale Explores the Calm Sea 2 Editor for ABRSM: Richard Jones ‘The pieces listed above are just a selection of those on the syllabus that you can choose for your exam; the other options are listed on the inside back cover. Whether you are taking an ABRSM Practical or Performance Grade, pieces are at the heart of your exam; after all, playing an instrument is all about exploring, performing, and learning through repertoire. ‘While this book contains nine pieces in a range of styles, the full syllabus has a wealth of other exciting repertoire that we encourage you to explore - to find pieces that really inspire you, that you connect with musically and will enjoy learning, and that will allow you to perform to your very best. The full syllabus also includes duets, to give you another ‘musical option and the opportunity to play with another musician. You can pick a mixture of pieces from this book and the wider lists ifyou like - you just need to have one piece from each list, A, Band C and no more than one duet. Ifyou are taking a Performance Grade, you also need to prepare a fourth piece which is entirely your own choice. Here you have even more freedom to choose music that really speaks to you, that you want to communicate to others, and that successfully completes your programme. It can be from the syllabus lists, or somewhere else entirely. Just. bbe sure to check the ‘Selecting Repertoire’ section of the Performance Grades syllabus for important requirements and options for the own-choice piece (like standard and minimum length) and the programme of four pieces overall Finally, you need to decide what order to play your pieces in and how you, the performer, will take your audience from the very first to the very last note, including moving from one piece to another, so that the performance forms a complete musical journey. ‘The separate syllabuses are available at www.abrsm.org. Whether taking a Practical or Performance Grade, enjoy exploring the possibilities on offer! Fist published in 222 by ABRSM (Publishing Le Unauthorised photocopying sisal ‘Musi origiation yl owes ‘wholly med sabsiiry ofABKSM, 4LondonWallPlae, _Allughsresered No partofths publication Cover lod Wlters, Kate enjmin & Andy Pts, wih thanks o {don EC2Y SAU United Kingdom ‘maybereprodved, recorded or wanamited Tri School Croydon 2022 by The Assoctted Boa he Royal Schools of Muse ina orm or by any me ihoutthe Printed n England by Halstan & Co. Le, cham, Back,Allegretto in C ae No. 3 from Die ersten 12 Lectionen, Op. 125 Anton Diabelli (1781-1858) Allegretto [4 = ¢.116] 3 3 2 1 3 5 The Austrian musician Anton Diabelll was active in Vienna as a music teacher and composer. In 1818 he also became a successful music publisher. Beethoven's famous Diabelli Variations were based on a waltz theme composed by Diabell Source: Die ersten 12 Lectionen am Pianoforte (The Fist 12 Lessons on the Planoforte), Op. 125 (Vienna: Diabel, 1830). The dynamie mp in bar 9s an editorial, suggestion only (©2022 by The Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music AB 4047itis 3 egal tomate Unauthorised ora Dragonflies from The Greenwood Tree Marjorie Helyer 912-84) Allegretto grazioso [4 = ¢.120] 5 é 13 12 L 9 = rit. The English composer Marjorie Helyer wrote many suites for young pianists between the 1950s and the 1980s. In The Greenwood Tree she followed the example of Schumann in composing short pieces that conjure up musical pletutes for young people to learn from and enjoy © Copyright 1952 by Stainer & Bell L1d, 23 Gruneisen Road, London N3 1LS, UK, wowstainerco.uk Allrghts reserved. Reprinted by permission, ‘AB 4047its | Oi tomas treutherised coniesefths rahe Dragonflies from The Greenwood Tree Marjorie Helyer csi2-84) Allegretto grazioso [- 52 2 » A rit. The English composer Marjorie Helyer wrote many sultes for young pianists between the 1950s and the 1980s. In The Greenwood Tree she followed the example of Schumann in composing short pieces that conjure up musical pictures for young people to leatn from and enjoy: © Copyright 1952 by Stainer& Bell Lad, 23 Gruneisen Roed, London N3 1L5, UK, wwwstainer.couk Allrights reserved. Reprinted by permission. Ag 4047itis ‘egal tomake Unauthorised copies of hs copyright Minuet in C No. 10 from 24 Short and Easy Pieces, Op. 1 Alexander Reinagle (1756-1808) Alexander Reinagle was an English composer and pianist who settled in Philadelphia, USA, in 1786, working as a teacher and theatre musician. The original tie of this plece is‘ Minuetto' ~ Italian for minuet, a dance in moderate tripe time. It originated in 17th-century France, but later became popular throughout Europe. Source: 2 Short and Easy Pies, Op. (London and Norfolk Virgin (© 2022 by The Associated Board ofthe Royal Schools of Music USA: Ballsand Danjue, n.d). Allslurs and dynamics are editorial suggestions only ‘AB 4047(yee) 5 Fresh Air | Cites tomate | vnauthorsed | copies of ris | copyright Andrew Eales (born 1966) Calmly walking along + 5 a es a get Andrew Eales studied at Birmingham University and the Royal College of Music, London. He is now a piano teacher based in Milton Keynes, UK. ‘Andrew has this to say about Fresh Air: This sa very gentle tune, which I wrote in my head while walking in the local park with my dog, Bella, one lovely spring morning, The chords I've used mostly lack their bass note, givinga sense of weightlessness, as if floating in calm blue skies. You will need to be careful to develop the legato melody using the weaker fingers, while holding down those semibreve/whole-note chords!" (© 2020 Baitions MusleaFeerum Lid Printed with permission of Editions Musica Ferrum: info@musica-ferrum.com AB 4047wis ‘egal tomake Unsuthris copies aft copyright A Morning Sunbeam No. 3 from Three Sketches for Little Pianists Florence B. Pr 88759 Andantino J. = 69 Florence Price was an African-American composer, pianist and music teacher. She gave her first solo piano recital atthe age of 4, and her f ‘composition was published when she was 11. She studied at the New England Conservatory in Boston and later became head of the mu department at Clark University, Atlanta, In A Morning Sunbeam, the first phrase of the melody is in long notes (bars 1-4), whereas the second phrase is divided between the hai (bars 5-8). For the middle section (bars 17-32) the key changes from G major to C major, and the melody (now varied) moves to the left ha Although the composer's metronome mark is-= 69, students may prefer a more relaxed tempo, such as Copyright © 1937 (Renewed) by G. Schirmer, Inc Inernational copyright secured. all rights reserved ‘AB 40473B a tempo mf gee ae AB 40478 (Gy wis egal tomake Unoutherised The Quiet Wood casi Michael Head (1900-76) aL Slow, with singing tone (- 3 ‘poco crescendo. s Michael Head at fist studied mechanical engineering, but eventually gave it up so that he could study music. He was a student at the Royal ‘Academy of Music, London, where he became professor of piano in 1927. He wrote many songs and gave public performances of them in which, he sang to his own accompaniment. © 1947 by The Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music Reproduced from Original Pianoforte Pieces, Book | (ABRSM) AB 4047itis egal tomake unauthorised an Virginia Hall (ca Shruthi Rajaseka Suspenseful « = 112-126 (born 1996 Vsteen Shruthi Rajasekar is an American composer and singer of Indian origin, who writes in South Indian classical (Carnatic) and Western classical styles. ‘About this piece, Shruthi explains, ‘Tam an American who has lived in the UK, and I wrote this piece to highlight a fascinating episode of share¢ history between the two countries. [wish I had learnt about Virginla Hall In school; hers and the accomplishments of many other extraordinary women are stories that we ought to know! Virginia Hall was a celebrated spy forthe Allied Forces during the Second World War. She later became¢ ‘one of the first agents ofthe CIA (Central Intelligence Agency). (© 2022 by The Associated Board ofthe Royal Schools of Muse AB 4047itis Mega tomate tngtharised Sneaky Business oom must 10 from Jazz, Rags & Blues, Book 1 Martha Mier (born 1836) 132 Allegro ‘Martha Mier is an American piano teacher, composer and adjudicator who is based in Lake City, Florida, USA. She specialises in writing ‘educational piano musie and is widely known for her popular series jazz, Rags & Blues and Romantic Impressions. (© 1983 Aled Music Alright reserved. Reproduced by permission of Faber Music Limited on behalf of Ared Music ‘AB 4047u Ped,___j (AB 40472 — OV ives oe Little Whale Explores the Calm Sea Caroline Tyler (orn 1982) Calmly; as if underwater « = c.160 i SOO nf 1 a Ped, ____ keep the pedal eld down until bar 21 S.J Ped, —______1 3 pedal off British pianist and composer Caroline Tyler studied at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama in London and has worked internationally as a concert pianist, teacher, examiner and adjudicator. ‘The composer says:‘In this plece, enjoy exploringa good range ofthe keyboard and the echoing, underwater effect ofthe pedal. The pedal aso helpfully holds notes you've played, leaving you free to prepare the next hand position, © 2022 by The Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music ‘AB 4047Scales and arpeggios (Practical Grade only) You will be asked for at least one of each type of scale and arpeggio, which should be played legato, in even notes and from ‘memory. For full details, please see the syllabus. Cmajor Loct. hands together G,F majors A,Dminors (natural or harmonic or melodic, at candidate's choice) 2oct. hands separately Other pieces for Grade 1 Composer Piece Dennis Alexander Sonatine primo per OUET attrib. 1.5. Bach Choral Deal with Me, Lord, BWV 514 Gunite ‘The Chase/The Hunt (No.15 from Fist Lessons forthe Piano, p.17) Handel Gavotte in © omamente ptionl IM. Helyer Haymaking (rom The Greenwood Tee) Turk ‘Arigso in F (No. from 12 Hondsticke) Elsie Wells __Courante_prinepart vet Hook Gavotte in C (No.3 from 24 Progressive Lessons, Op. 81) Mozart Allegra (No.8 from 12 Duos, K.487), ae. Blackwall Purcell Minuet in A minor, 2.649 Contrary-motion scale Cmajor oct. hands stating on the tonic unison) Arpeggios Grmajor - oct. hands separately Aminor Pubiaton Dennis Alexander: Alfred's Basic Piano Library, Duet Book 2 (Allred) [My First Bach Schott) ‘Music Pathways: Repertoire, Level 38 (Car Fischer) or Classics to Moderns, Book’ (Yorktown Music ress or Studio 21 (Ist Series), Vol. 1 (Universal) [My Fist Concert for Piano (Schott) or Classes to Modern, Book 1 (Yorktown Music Press) or Studio 21st Series), Vol. 1 (Universal) IM. Helyer: The Greenwood Tree (Staner Bell) Caviersticke far Anfinger (Schott oc Music Pathways: Repertoire, Level 3A (Carl Fischer) o Pianssimo: Piano Piccolo (Sehott) Mixed Doubles: Fiano Time Duets, Book 2 (OUP) Encore, Book 1(ABRSM) or Music Through Time, Pano Bok 1 (OUP) Piano Star Grade |(RBRSM) Music Through Time, Piano 809k (OUP) Dennis Alexander Reflections (rom Jst fer You and Me, Book 1) prime par oveT Alwyn ‘The Tees are Heavy with Snow RR Beanett Friday Irom Seven Dayso Weel) Jessie Slake The Litle White Cloud Grechaninov Fairy Tale (No.1 from Children’ Album, Op. 98) Helen Madden Borislava Taneva Agrieszia Lasko ‘Alan Menken Siegmeister The Forgetten Forest_prino part OUET Small Valse witheepat Fountain (hom Lite Stories) Beauty and the Beast rom Beauty ond the Beast), arr. Hussey Song f the Dark Woods Sunlight Through the Trees “The Frog (trom The Gift of Music) Woodland Folk Song primo part OveT June Armstrong Elias Deviesson ‘Alison Mathews Jane Sebbe Latin Laughter prime paploy he ths nb 10& 28 DUET Barbara Snow Jazzy Dragon (from Animal Jazz) Trad. Ewe Tutu Gbovi ar Chapman Nyaho prime part DUET Ghanaian) Trad Jamaican Mango Walk are. Comick Carol Barratt __Cheesecake-Walk from Get I Together Glock Swinging Beat CChee-Hwa Tan __Atthe Seaside (from A Chil’ Garden of Verses) DDeanis Alexander: Just for You and Me, Book 1 (Alfred) Five by Ten, Grade 1 (Lengrick) RR. Bennett: Seven Days a Week (Allred) or The Young Panis’ Repertoire, Book 1 (Faber) Grade by Grace, Piano Grade 1 (Boosey & Hawkes) Grechaninov: Children's Book. Op. 98 (ABRSM) or Mare Romantic Pieces for Pian, Book 1 (ABRSW) or My Fist Concert for Piano (Schott) Piano Star: Grade | (ABRSM) Mosse. Vol. 2 Editions Musica Ferrum) ‘Agnieszka Lasko Lite Stoves (Euterpe) Gradebusters Grade 1 Piano (Hal Leonard) Music Pathways: Repertoie, Level 38 (Car Fischer) Piano Star: Grade 1 (ABRSM) Elias Davidsson: The Gift of Music (Spartan Press) Piano Star Duets (ABRSM) Piano Magic Duets, Book 2 (Collins Musi) Barbara Snow: Animal Jaz (Edition HH) Piano Star Duets (ABRSM) Pano Repertoire, Level (Universal) (Caro Barat: Get It Together! (Chester) Gillock: Swinging Beat (Wilis) (algital only eon) CChee-Ha Ten: A Childs Garden of Verses (Fane Safari)Piano Exam Se eee eee a OEE ue ce ee three pieces chosen from each of Lists A, B and C - ideal for both Practical and Performance meee ene eC Mh range of styles, creating a collection that provides an excellent source of repertoire to suit ea ces The book also contains helpful footnotes and, for those preparing for exams, useful syllabus information. ‘Ayyersion of this book with audio is also available. Support material for ABRSM Piano exams ‘ABRSM also offers a range of apps to support musical learning ere I en ee a eee ee) ert pes cd cod cod ‘Supporting the teaching and learning of music Fa renee tet WN ey YI Royal Northern College of Music | Royal Conservatoire of Scotland Rie ee eae eu)