Piano Syllabus
Please review the summary listing below which show what’s taught at each grade on the piano and the objective criteria’s that will be completed whilst having classes with us.
Please note that here at Multiply Music we will prepare you for your graded drum exams, however the official exams will need to be conducted off site with ABRSM themselves (governing body).
When you commence classes with Multiply Music you can start at any grade / level ability.
Grade 1
Theory
- Recognise notes on a piano
- Learn how to play basic chords (Am, C, Dm, Em, F, G)
- Understand how to make a major chord minor (and vice versa)
- Learn the degrees of a scale (as numbers 1-8) and what an octave is
- Learn note values and rest values (semibreve, dotted minim, minim, crotchet, and quaver)
- Learn about simple 2/4-, 3/4- and 4/4-time signatures
- Learn articulation (staccato and legato)
- Learn basic tempo/performance words in Italian and English (allegro, adagio, a tempo, rit etc – whichever words come up in the grade book – find list online (hellomusictheory.com)
- Understand dynamics and the symbols for dynamic markings (p, mp, mf, f, crescendo, diminuendo)
- Learn what accidentals are
- Know that barlines cancel accidentals
- Learn about tones and semitones
- Be able to recognise key signatures (C, G, D, F major) and (A and D minor)
Scales and Arpeggios
- Learn how to play C major scale hands separately (1 octave)
- Learn how to play G major and F major scales separate hands (1 octave)
- Learn how to play A minor and D minor scales separate hands (natural, harmonic, or melodic) (1 octave) *harmonic is preferred for the first few grades
- Learn how to play C major scale contrary motion both hands together (1 octave)
- Learn how to play G major and A minor arpeggios separate hands (1 octave)
Sight Reading
- Be able to recognise notes on a stave (treble clef)
- Be able to recognise notes on a stave (bass clef)
- Be able to sightread a melody (in the key of C, G, F or Am) which includes crotchets and quavers using one hand
- Understand what the time signature of the piece means
- Work out and play with correct rhythms
- Include some dynamic variety in the playing where it is marked
- Be able to choose an appropriate speed for the sightreading piece
- Capture the mood and character of the sight reading
Aural
- Be able to clap the pulse of a piece and identify whether it is in two time or three time
- Be able to sing back a melodic phrase played by you / the examiner as an echo
- Be able to identify where a change in pitch occurs in a melody (whether the change occurs in the first part of second part of the passage)
- Be able to answer questions about two features of a piece played by you (the first will be dynamics; the second will be articulation)
- Know that playing music is like telling a story
Grade (Performance – In Person & Video Recording)
- 4 pieces from the current grade syllabus (1 Piece from each list: A, B and C. The 4th piece may be from any list
Grade (Practical – In Person & Video Recording)
- 3 pieces (Chosen by the student). 1 piece chosen from each list: A, B and C.
- Scales and arpeggios
- Scales and arpeggios should be moderately fluent and with minimal wrong notes
- Sight-reading (you will be given 30 seconds to prepare the piece)
- Aural tests will be conducted by the examiner (There are 4 components to the Aural tests)
Grade 2
Theory
- Understand dotted rhythms
- Understand what articulation is (staccato and legato)
- Learn more dynamics and how to play them with greater variation in sound (ppp, pp, ff, fff)
- Understand the difference between a slur and a tie
- Learn and develop phrasing in the student’s chosen pieces
- Understand simple time (2/4, 3/4, 4/4) and how to group notes and rests within these times
- Learn about compound 3/8, 6/8-time signatures (duple compound, triple compound and quadruple compound)
- Understand that common time is the same as 4/4, and cut time is the same as 2/2
- Be able to work out the time signature of a written down melody
- Be able to write basic triads/chords on a stave when the key-note/ tonic is given (with a given time signature)
- Be able to transpose in octaves (octave lower/higher)
- Understand that keys come in pairs (i.e., C major and A minor) (every major key has a relative minor key and vice versa)
- Be able to recognise key signatures (A, E, B major and A and D minor)
- Learn more performance directions such as grave, vivace, cantabile, dolce etc
- Be able to work out the key to a melody (C, G, D, A major)
- Be able to correctly use a sustain pedal
Scales and Arpeggios
- Be able to play F and G major scales hands together (2 octaves)
- Be able to play D and A minor scales hands together (natural, harmonic, or melodic) (2 octaves)
- Be able to play D and A major scales separate hands (2 octaves)
- Be able to play E and G minor scales separate hands (natural, harmonic, or melodic) (2 octaves)
- Be able to play C major contrary motion (2 octaves)
- Be able to play a chromatic scale starting on D separate hands (1 octave)
- Be able to play D and A major arpeggios separate hands (2 octaves)
- Be able to play E and G minor arpeggios separate hands (2 octaves)
Sight Reading
- Be able to identify treble and bass clef notes at a quicker pace
- Capture the character of the piece
- Include dynamic variety
- Identify the correct tempo to take the piece
- Play correct rhythms
Aural
- Be able to hear the difference between a major and minor chord
- Be able to hear a difference between a melodic and harmonic scale
- Be able to sing a major scale at pitch
- Be able to sing a minor scale at pitch
- Be able to hear if a piece is in simple (two) or compound (three) time
- Be able to sing back a melodic phrase
- Be able to identify where a change in pitch or rhythm occurs in a melody on the second hearing
- Be able to answer questions about two features of a piece played by you (the first will be dynamics, articulation; the second will be tempo)
Grade (Performance – In Person & Video Recording)
- 4 pieces from the current grade syllabus (1 Piece from each list: A, B and C. The 4th piece may be from any list
Grade (Practical – In Person & Video Recording)
- 3 pieces (Chosen by the student). 1 piece chosen from each list: A, B and C.
- Scales and arpeggios
- Scales and arpeggios should be moderately fluent and with minimal wrong notes
- Sight-reading (you will be given 30 seconds to prepare the piece)
- Aural tests will be conducted by the examiner (There are 4 components to the Aural tests)
Grade 3
Theory
- Understand compound time (3/8, 6/8, 9/8) and how to group notes and rests within these times
- Be able to transpose in octaves (from treble to bass clef)
- Be able to work out the time signature of a written down melody (in common, cut and compound time)
- Be able to work out notes on ledger lines (more than two) (both ways)
- Be able to write basic triads/chords on a stave (with no given time signature, using accidentals)
- Be able to rewrite a melody with notes twice the value
- Know the order of sharps and flats in a key signature (sharps: Father Christmas Gave Dad an Electric Blanket – flats: Blanket Explodes And Dad Gets Cold Feet
- Be able to recognise key signatures with up to four accidentals (major or minor)
Scales and Arpeggios
- Be able to play D and A major scales hands together (2 octaves)
- Be able to play E and G minor scales hands together (natural, melodic, or harmonic) (2 octaves)
- Be able to play Bb and Eb major scales separate hands (2 octaves)
- Be able to play B and C minor scales separate hands (natural, melodic, or harmonic) (2 octaves)
- Be able to play E major scale contrary motion (2 octaves)
- Be able to play a chromatic scale contrary motion scale starting on D (1 octave)
- Be able to play D and A major arpeggios hands together (2 octaves)
- Be able to play E and G minor arpeggios hands together (2 octaves)
- Be able to play Bb and Eb major arpeggios separate hands (2 octaves)
- Be able to play B and C minor arpeggios separate hands (2 octaves)
Sight Reading
- Be able to identify treble and bass clef notes at a quicker pace
- Capture the character of the piece
- Include dynamic variety
- Identify the correct tempo to take the piece
- Play correct rhythms
Aural
- Be able to clap back a melodic phrase and identify whether it is in two-time, three time or four time
- Be able to sing back a melodic phrase (2 bars long) (major or minor key)
- Be able to identify where a change in pitch or rhythm occurs in a melody on the second hearing (4 bars long) (major or minor key)
- Be able to answer questions about two features of a piece played by you (the first will be dynamics, articulation, tempo; the second will be tonality)
Grade (Performance – In Person & Video Recording)
- 4 pieces from the current grade syllabus (1 Piece from each list: A, B and C. The 4th piece may be from any list
Grade (Practical – In Person & Video Recording)
- 3 pieces (Chosen by the student). 1 piece chosen from each list: A, B and C.
- Scales and arpeggios
- Scales and arpeggios should be moderately fluent and with minimal wrong notes
- Sight-reading (you will be given 30 seconds to prepare the piece)
- Aural tests will be conducted by the examiner (There are 4 components to the Aural tests)
Grade 4
Theory
- Be able to recognise simple and compound time signatures are also duple, triple or quadruple (e.g., 3/4 is simple triple, and 6/8 is compound duple)
- Know what an enharmonic is (e.g., the enharmonic equivalent of F# is Gb, and the enharmonic equivalent of D is C#or EBB
- Be able to rewrite a melody with notes twice the value
- Be able to rewrite a melody with notes half the value
- Be able to draw and read the alto clef (C clef) (middle C is on the middle line)
Scales and Arpeggios
- Be able to work out the key to a melody (C, G, D, A major)
- Be able to play B and C minor scales hands together (natural, melodic, or harmonic) (2 octaves)
- Be able to play B, F# and Ab major scales separate hands (2 octaves)
- Be able to play F# and F minor scales separate hands (natural, melodic, or harmonic) (2 octaves)
- Be able to play Eb major scale contrary motion (2 octaves)
- Be able to play C harmonic minor scale contrary motion (2 octaves)
- Be able to play a chromatic scale starting on F# hands together (2 octaves)
- Be able to play Bb and Eb major arpeggios hands together (2 octaves)
- Be able to play B and C minor arpeggios hands together (2 octaves)
- Be able to play B, F# and Ab major arpeggios separate hands (2 octaves)
- Be able to play F# and F minor arpeggios separate hands (2 octaves)
Sight Reading
- Be able to sing five notes from score in free time
- Understand that keys come in pairs (i.e., C major and A minor) (every major key has a relative minor key and vice versa)
- Be able to recognise key signatures (A, E, B and D minor)
- Learn more performance words such as grave, vivace, cantabile, dolce etc
Aural
- Be able to sing or play from memory a melody played twice by you
- Be able to answer questions about two features of a piece played by you (the first will be dynamics, articulation, tempo, tonality; the second will be character)
- Be able to clap back a melodic phrase from the same piece and identify whether it is in two-time, three time or four time
Grade (Performance – In Person & Video Recording)
- 4 pieces from the current grade syllabus (1 Piece from each list: A, B and C. The 4th piece may be from any list
Grade (Practical – In Person & Video Recording)
- 3 pieces (Chosen by the student). 1 piece chosen from each list: A, B and C.
- Scales and arpeggios
- Scales and arpeggios should be moderately fluent and with minimal wrong notes
- Sight-reading (you will be given 30 seconds to prepare the piece)
- Aural tests will be conducted by the examiner (There are 4 components to the Aural tests)
Grade 5
Theory
- Understand compound time (3/8, 6/8, 9/8) and how to group notes and rests within these times
- Be able to transpose in octaves (from treble to bass clef)
- Be able to work out the time signature of a written down melody (in common, cut and compound time)
- Be able to work out notes on ledger lines (more than two) (both ways)
- Be able to write basic triads/chords on a stave (with no given time signature, using accidentals)
- Be able to rewrite a melody with notes twice the value
- Be able to write a key signature on a score with the sharps and flats in the correct order
- Learn more performance directions
Scales and Arpeggios
- Be able to play A, E, B, F# and Db major scaleslegato hands together (2 octaves)
- Be able to play F#, C#, G#, Eb, and Bb minor scaleslegato hands together (melodic or harmonic) (2 octaves)
- Be able to play Ab major scalestaccato separate hands (2 octaves)
- Be able to play F minor scalestaccato separate hands (melodic or harmonic) (2 octaves)
- Be able to play D major scale contrary motion (2 octaves)
- Be able to play C# harmonic minor scale contrary motion (2 octaves)
- Be able to play a chromatic contrary motion scale a third apart starting on F# (LH) and A# (RH) (2 octaves)
- Be able to play A, E, B, F#, Ab and Db major arpeggios hands together (2 octaves)
- Be able to play F#, C#, G#, Eb, F and Bb minor arpeggios hands together (2 octaves)
- Be able to play a diminished 7th starting on B
Sight Reading
- Be able to identify treble and bass clef notes at a quicker pace
- Capture the character of the piece
- Include dynamic variety
- Identify the correct tempo to take the piece
- Play correct rhythms
- Add more details to the sightreading so that is resembles a piece rather than an exercise
Aural
- Be able to sing or play from memory a melody played twice by you
- Be able to sing six notes from score in free time.
- Be able to answer questions about two features of a piece played by you (the first will be dynamics, articulation, tempo, tonality, character; the second will be style and period)
- Be able to clap back a melodic phrase from the same piece and identify whether it is in two-time, three time or four time
Grade (Performance – In Person & Video Recording)
- 4 pieces from the current grade syllabus (1 Piece from each list: A, B and C. The 4th piece may be from any list
Grade (Practical – In Person & Video Recording)
- 3 pieces (Chosen by the student). 1 piece chosen from each list: A, B and C.
- Scales and arpeggios
- Scales and arpeggios should be moderately fluent and with minimal wrong notes
- Sight-reading (you will be given 30 seconds to prepare the piece)
- Aural tests will be conducted by the examiner (There are 4 components to the Aural tests)
Grade 6
Scales and Arpeggios
- Be able to play D, F, Ab and B major scales hands together (4 octaves) (staccato and legato)
- Be able to play D, F, G# and B minor scales hands together (melodic and harmonic) (4 octaves) (staccato and legato)
- Be able to play D, F, Ab and B major scales contrary motion (2 octaves)
- Be able to play D, F, G# and B harmonic minor scales contrary motion (2 octaves)
- Be able to play chromatic scales starting on G# and B hands together (4 octaves) (staccato and legato)
- Be able to play D, F, Ab and B major arpeggios hands together (4 octaves)
- Be able to play D, F, G# and B minor arpeggios hands together (4 octaves)
- Be able to play dominant 7ths in the keys of D, F, Ab and B hands together (resolving on the tonic) (4 octaves)
- Be able to play diminished 7ths starting on G# and B hands together (4 octaves)
Sight Reading
- Be able to identify treble and bass clef notes at a quicker pace
- Capture the character of the piece
- Include dynamic variety
- Identify the correct tempo to take the piece
- Play correct rhythms
- Identify more performance directions and incorporate them in your playing in Italian, French or German
Aural
- Be able to sing or play from memory the upper part of a two-part phrase played twice by the examiner
- Be able to sing a melody from score, with an accompaniment played by the examiner
- Be able to identify the cadence at the end of a phrase as perfect or imperfect
- Be able to answer questions about two features of a piece played by the examiner (the first will be texture, structure; the second will be dynamics, articulation, tempo, tonality, character, style, and period, texture, structure)
- Be able to clap back a melodic phrase from the same piece and identify whether it is in two-time, three time or four time
Grade (Performance – In Person & Video Recording)
- 4 pieces from the current grade syllabus (1 Piece from each list: A, B and C. The 4th piece may be from any list
Grade (Practical – In Person & Video Recording)
- 3 pieces (Chosen by the student). 1 piece chosen from each list: A, B and C.
- Scales and arpeggios
- Scales and arpeggios should be moderately fluent and with minimal wrong notes
- Sight-reading (you will be given 30 seconds to prepare the piece)
- Aural tests will be conducted by the examiner (There are 4 components to the Aural tests)
Grade 7
Scales and Arpeggios
- Be able to play Db, E, G and Bb major scales hands together (4 octaves) (staccato and legato)
- Be able to play C#, E, G and Bb minor scales hands together (harmonic and melodic) (4 octaves) (staccato and legato)
- Be able to play Db, E, G and Bb major scales a third apart hands together (4 octaves) (staccato and legato)
- Be able to play C#, E, G and Bb harmonic minor scales a third apart hands together (4 octaves) (staccato and legato)
- Be able to play Db, E, G and Bb major scales contrary motion (2 octaves) (staccato and legato)
- Be able to play C#, E, G and Bb harmonic minor scales contrary motion (2 octaves) (staccato or legato)
- Be able to play a legato scale in thirds in G major separate hands (2 octaves)
- Be able to play a staccato scale in thirds in G major separate hands (2 octaves)
- Be able to play a chromatic contrary motion scale a minor third apart starting on C# (LH) and E (RH) (2 octaves)
- Be able to play Db, E, G and Bb major arpeggios hands together (4 octaves) (first inversion only)
- Be able to play C#, E, G and Bb minor arpeggios hands together (4 octaves) (first inversion only)
- Be able to play dominant 7ths in the keys of Db, E, G and Bb hands together (resolving on the tonic) (4 octaves)
- Be able to play diminished 7ths starting on Bb and E hands together (4 octaves)
Sight Reading
- Be able to identify treble and bass clef notes at a quicker pace
- Capture the character of the piece
- Include dynamic variety
- Identify the correct tempo to take the piece
- Play correct rhythms
- Identify more performance directions and incorporate them in your playing in Italian, French or German
Aural
- Be able to sing or play from memory the lower part of a two-part phrase played twice by the examiner
- Be able to sing the upper part of a two-part phrase from score, with the lower part played by the examiner
- Be able to identify the cadence at the end of a phrase as perfect, imperfect, or interrupted
- Be able to identify the two chords (both in root position) forming the above cadence (examiner will tell them the key)
- Be able to identify whether the modulation at the end of a different passage is to the dominant, subdominant, or relative minor
- Be able to answer questions about two features of a piece played by you (texture, tonality, structure, dynamics, articulation, tempo, character, style and period)
- Be able to clap back a melodic phrase from the same piece and identify whether it is in two-time, three-time, four time or 6/8 time
Grade (Performance – In Person & Video Recording)
- 4 pieces from the current grade syllabus (1 Piece from each list: A, B and C. The 4th piece may be from any list
Grade (Practical – In Person & Video Recording)
- 3 pieces (Chosen by the student). 1 piece chosen from each list: A, B and C.
- Scales and arpeggios
- Scales and arpeggios should be moderately fluent and with minimal wrong notes
- Sight-reading (you will be given 30 seconds to prepare the piece)
- Aural tests will be conducted by the examiner (There are 4 components to the Aural tests)
Grade 8
Scales and Arpeggios
- Be able to play C, Eb, F# and A major scales hands together (4 octaves) (staccato and legato)
- Be able to play C, Eb, F# and A minor scales hands together (melodic and harmonic) (4 octaves) (staccato and legato)
- Be able to play C, Eb, F# and A minor scales hands together (harmonic and melodic) (4 octaves) (staccato and legato)
- Be able to play C, Eb, F# and A major scales a sixth apart hands together (4 octaves) (staccato and legato)
- Be able to play C, Eb, F# and A harmonic minor scales a sixth apart hands together (4 octaves) (staccato and legato)
- Be able to play C, Eb, F# and A major scales contrary motion (2 octaves) (staccato and legato)
- Be able to play C, Eb, F# and A harmonic minor scales contrary motion (2 octaves) (staccato and legato)
- Be able to play a legato scale in thirds in Eb major separate hands (2 octaves)
- Be able to play a staccato scale in sixths in C major separate hands (2 octaves)
- Be able to play a chromatic scale a major sixth apart starting on Eb (LH) and C (RH) (4 octaves) (staccato and legato)
- Be able to play whole tone scales starting on Eb and C hands together (4 octaves) (staccato and legato)
- Be able to play C, Eb, F# and A major arpeggios hands together (4 octaves) (second inversion only)
- Be able to play C, Eb, F# and A minor arpeggios hands together (4 octaves) (second inversion only)
- Be able to play dominant 7ths in the keys of C, Eb, F# and A hands together (resolving on the tonic) (4 octaves)
- Be able to play diminished 7ths starting on Eb and C hands together (4 octaves)
Sight Reading
- Be able to identify treble and bass clef notes at a quicker pace
- Capture the character of the piece
- Include dynamic variety
- Identify the correct tempo to take the piece
- Play correct rhythms
- Identify more performance directions and incorporate them in your playing in Italian, French or German
Aural
- Be able to sing or play from memory the lowest part of a three-part phrase played twice by the examiner
- Be able to identify the cadence at the end of a continuing phrase as perfect, imperfect, interrupted or plagal
- Be able to identify the three chords (including their positions) forming the above cadential progression
- Be able to sing the lower part of a two-part phrase from score, with the upper part played by the examiner
- Be able to identify whether the modulations at the end of two different passages are to the dominant, subdominant, or relative minor/major
- Be able to describe the characteristic features of a piece played by you (texture, tonality, structure, dynamics, articulation, tempo, character, style and period)
Grade (Performance – In Person & Video Recording)
- 4 pieces from the current grade syllabus (1 Piece from each list: A, B and C. The 4th piece may be from any list
Grade (Practical – In Person & Video Recording)
- 3 pieces (Chosen by the student). 1 piece chosen from each list: A, B and C.
- Scales and arpeggios
- Scales and arpeggios should be moderately fluent and with minimal wrong notes
- Sight-reading (you will be given 30 seconds to prepare the piece)
- Aural tests will be conducted by the examiner (There are 4 components to the Aural tests)