Is it worth it to take musical exams such as ABRSM?

Learning to play a musical instrument is a very different experience depending on which part of the world you are in. The standards that the majority of music schools in NYC have are vastly different than music schools in other countries!

Music schools in Europe often require students to attend separate classes in addition to learning their main instrument. Sometimes singing classes are required as well. This is because becoming a professional, seasoned musician is not solely about the ability to play a musical instrument. If you want to be really good at music, it requires a variety of other skills and knowledge! In other countries, testing and musical exams of these skills are part of their learning process, too.

These skills include:

• Playing scales and arpeggios in different keys
  
• Singing in tune
  
• Being able to repeat different rhythms and feel time signatures
  
• Knowing different chords, inversions, and building chord progressions
  
• Sight-reading
  
• Improvising and composing
  
• Playing together with other musicians in small and large ensembles
  
• Knowing the history of music and having an understanding of different styles of music
  

This list can go on and on once you enter the professional realm of the music industry; there is a very substantial catalog of musical skills to master.

In the US, additional music classes that allow for a certain level of musicianship at a younger age are usually not part of the learning process. Because of this, it’s a challenge for a private music teacher to cover all of the above material and teach the student how to play their instrument during a single lesson. Instead, there is a hope that students pick up these broader music skills as they advance. This is often a challenge for music students because the goal of this “extra” learning is not clear and causes problems later on as students become more serious musicians. Students often think, “Why should I do it if it’s not required? I just want to play my pieces!”

One of the unfortunate results of a one-sided musical learning process arises when students pursue a music degree in the USA. Music programs in the US have a high standard and expectations surrounding these skills. International students usually “test out” of most of the aural (listening) skills and music theory classes, while American freshmen usually have to take extra classes and learn these subjects from the beginning.

But why do we need these “extra” skills? It really comes down to becoming a well-rounded musician with a well trained ear!

Knowing how music works and understanding what you are playing allows you to also become more creative, helps you correct/avoid mistakes, and in turn helps you learn pieces several times faster. Let’s say you start learning “Für Elise” by Beethoven. If you already know how to play an A minor scale and arpeggio, you understand what the main chords are in A minor, and how various rhythms work within the 3/4 time signature, it will not be necessary to spend extra time learning this from scratch.

Even if you are not going for a music degree in college, it is a good idea to study music in a broader sense. If you do want to bring your knowledge and expertise up to a higher level than just learning your piano or violin pieces, what can help you achieve it?

If you do want to learn these skills and there isn’t an option to take separate classes for them, then you can use various musical examination systems. These exam systems promote a well-rounded set of skills and are divided into levels or grades. One of the benefits of musical exams is that students have measurable progress from one level to the next.

In New York City, where our music school is located, the most well-known system is NYSSMA, which offers musical exams through the public school system. We, ourselves, facilitate the ABRSM exams, which is an international system with headquarters in London. The adjudicators arrive from the UK twice a year, and both kids and adults can sign up for exam levels 1 through 8.

The ABRSM tests include the following sections:

• 3 repertoire pieces (which students can choose from an extensive list of options)
  
• Scales and arpeggios
  
• Sight-reading
  
• Aural skills
  

At Riverside Music Studios, we are happy to prep you for any musical exams you decide to take part in. Students can purchase books that help you prepare for each section of the test and can be used in lessons with their regular music teacher. Just let us know that you are interested in trying, and we will give you all the info on how to apply and will prep together with you!

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