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How teachers can work with pianists during examinations
The pianist is an important and integral part of any Ballet examination. The following are some guidelines to clarify examination procedure:
General points for Vocational Graded Examinations, Graded Examinations and Assessments.
1. The teacher should make sure that the pianist has a running order of examinations for the day.
2. If there are choices of music for set exercises in the syllabus, the pianist should be notified by the teacher; likewise, for dances and variations. At centres, candidates should be prepared for any of the pieces.
3. Set music is used for all the set exercises. The only exception is for barre work on the second side in Vocational Graded Examinations, when a free piece in the same style may be used.
4. For free work, the printed or alternative pieces appropriate in style and rhythm are acceptable. The pianist may choose to improvise or bring appropriate pieces of varying styles with them.
5. The examiner will ask the pianist whether their preference is to play pieces from the books or to use their own choice of music, and will work accordingly, either by:
a) giving the appropriate number from the syllabus music to the pianist or
b) setting a clear rhythm and tempo for them to follow.
6. Metronome marks for free exercises in the syllabus books are a guideline only. The examiner will set the speed when the exercise is being taught and the pianist should follow this.
7. In assessments, the pianist should know how many candidates will be entering so that the phrasing is correct for when they run in and also for exercises that require phrasing, dependent on the number of candidates.
8. The pianist must be sure of how the CD player, MiniDisc player or ipod works, if they have to use it.
9. During breaks, the pianist should leave the studio in order for the examiner to collate marks and write reports.
Music Tests
Primary: Pieces are included in the syllabus music books for the candidates to recognise the Polka and Waltz rhythms. The pianist chooses the rhythm and plays it through while the candidates listen. The examiner will then ask the candidates what the rhythm is and how many beats are contained within it. After this, the candidates will be asked to clap and count the rhythm, one by one, either with or without the pianist accompanying them. This is then repeated for the second rhythm.
Grade 1: The pianist is required to supply pieces for the Polka, Waltz and March rhythms, which must NOT be from the syllabus music books. The candidates will listen, respond and then count and clap the appropriate rhythm as in the Primary.
Grade 2: The names by which notes are recognised is dependent on what the children are used to. For example, semibreves or whole notes, minims or half notes, crotchets or quarter notes, quavers or eighth notes. The examiner should be notified in advance for which to ask for. There are two alternative ways that the music test can be taken:
a) The pianist plays eight crotchet beats while the candidates clap. The pianist then chooses to continue with either quavers, crotchets, minims or semibreves. When the candidates recognise the chosen beat, they join in and clap and will then be asked by the examiner the note value they have been clapping.
b) The examiner will ask the candidates to follow on with one of the four note values after clapping the eight crotchets with the pianist. In this case, the pianist will stop playing after the crotchet beats and let the candidates continue with the note value chosen by the examiner.
Teaching Examinations
The candidate is responsible for guiding the pianist and setting rhythms and tempos. The pianist may ask the candidate to clarify an instruction if unclear, but otherwise should avoid interjecting. Approximately four to eight counts of the required rhythm will be counted by the candidate. It is unnecessary for the candidate to count more than this, but it is also important for the examiner to have time to hear the candidate’s use of voice and tonal quality when setting an exercise. The candidate should feel free to alter speeds if they wish, as this is also valuable for the examiner to see. |
