Here are some notes & reviews for the new Solo recording by my friend & IONA co-founder Dave Bainbridge.
ABRSM Exam Dates - Private Pupils
Summer term ABRSM exams will be held (between 8th June – 11th July) at the Anteros Arts Centre, here in Norwich.
Booking Period: will be 21st April – 5th May
Please do get in touch if you are planning to enter for any Private exam (for Summer term) and we can plan the best way to proceed.
Commitment to preparation & careful planning are both key to exam success.
ABRSM Exam Dates - Norwich School Pupils
For Norwich School pupils, who receive Private lessons with me, exams are set to take place at the Norwich School Music Department during the penultimate week of any current term. I would advise that you contact the Music Department Office directly, to obtain exact dates & information for each specific term.
Please confirm at the start of each term if you do wish to take your exam at NS
ABRSM Jazz Exams
ABRSM Jazz Exams – Most pupils are now opting to take these online, as part of the Associated Board’s new program of ‘Performance Grade Exams’.
I can guide and advise you regarding Jazz exams. I would also highly encourage you to look at the very helpful information & videos that are to be found on the Performances pages on the ABRSM website (link below)
CLASSICAL & JAZZ GRADES – Practical & Performance Exams
Most of my pupils prefer to follow the internationally respected Classical Exam Syllabus, known as ‘Practical Grades’. These, in my opinion, are the preferred option - as they offer a long-established, traditional, face-to-face exam. This is a comprehensive assessment of performance, which include technical skills, sight-reading & aural tests. These offer a holistic & complete approach to the study of music & most especially music performance.
PIANO ACCOMPANIMENT
For my Flute & Saxophone pupils, I am willing to offer Piano Accompaniment for your exam (only for Practical Grade exams - Grades 1 to 6/7 Syllabus). As you know, I do so without asking for any fee.
I do not accompany for Recorded/Performance exams.
For Grade 8 and above, and for all Recorded Performance exams, I would highly recommend a specialist accompanist (for Practical & Performance Exams)
Grade 8 and the ABRSM Diploma exam are the pinnacle of your music study and so best to be treated in same way as preparing for a major performance. Therefore, working the the very finest specialist Piano accompanist is critical to further developing your performance & ensemble skills.
I am willing to offer recommendations for the finest accompanists here in Norwich & surrounding region.
PERFORMANCE GRADES (further information)
The ABRSM consider both Practical & Performance Grade exams as being equivalent - in terms of skill level & recognition (by the ABRSM) but the choice depends on a student’s individual strengths & objectives.
You will need to look carefully at each syllabus, so that you fully understand the specific approach & requirements of these new regulated options (which continue to change & develop).
For lots more information, pdf downloads & instructive videos, please do visit:
https://www.abrsm.org/en-gb/performance-grades/about-performance-grades
PERFORMANCE GRADES – further information for Woodwind Candidates
For my Woodwind pupils, wishing to choose a Performance rather than Practice exam, you have the option to choose your own Piano or you can also use available ABRSM backing tracks (which are now becoming available on most streaming sites).
There is also a growing presence & alliance between the ABRSM & Tomplay. This is an especially interesting development and do hope will be completed.
For pieces that are not part of the ABRSM recording library, you can also use tracks that come with sheet music that you have purchased. For more obscure pieces, you will have to explore sites such as You Tube. Once discovered, it would be best to check directly with the ABRSM - to confirm that these are suitable for your exam.
https://www.abrsm.org/en-gb/performance-grades/accompaniment
BUILDING YOUR OWN MUSIC LIBRARY (Music - Edition & Publishing)
Be sure that you have authentic, recommended editions of ALL music. Each ABRSM Syllabus lists every piece, for each Grade exam, setting clearly the Associated Board’s own chosen edition and required publisher.
Photocopies are only permitted if you have an authentic, legal publication.
I always recommend that every aspiring musician should start to build their own personal music library. These music books can become treasured companions for life, on hand to perform at any time.
I do hope that these notes are helpful to you and wish you all success in your next ABRSM exam.
ABRSM EXAMS - MORE INFORMATION (My Own Personal Notes)
PLEASE DO READ MY CAREFULLY CONSTRUCTED EXAM NOTES BEFORE MAKING YOUR DECISION TO ENTER FOR YOUR EXAM THIS TERM – YOU DO NEED TO BE SURE THAT YOU ARE READY.
I shall speak with you during the first week of lessons regarding your next ABRSM exam – when to take this and how to prepare.
PIANO PUPILS & GRADE 8 WOODWIND ENTRIES
For ALL Piano pupils – you will need to enter for your exam directly with the ABRSM as I do not attend Piano exams (as I am not needed to accompany you for your exam on the day).
For my Grade 8 Woodwind (Saxophone & Flute) pupils, you will also need to apply for your exam directly with the ABRSM. I think that for your Grade exam you will need the very finest of Norfolk’s accompanists - such as David Neil Jones or David Dunnett. Sadly, we have lost Anne Duarte (who did accompany some of my pupils for exams and for many years owned & directed the wonderful St George’s Music Shop, with her husband Chris). They have recently left Norfolk and now live in Scotland.
ABRSM Grade 8 is the pinnacle of the learning process and so reaching for a Merit or Distinction pass should be the desired goal.
As ever, I shall guide you through this process and assist you to gain the result that you are most certainly able to achieve.
For my Norwich School pupils, exams for Trinity Term are set to take place at the Norwich School Music Department during the week of the 12th June - TBC. Please confirm at the beginning of term if you do wish to take your exam this Trinity term. The closing date for all exams at Norwich School is Friday 2nd May (this date may be a little flexible).
I am willing to enter my NS pupils directly with the NS Music Department and am willing to accompany you for your exam also.
ABRSM AURAL – EXAM PREPARATION
For Aural preparation I would recommend that you purchase the study booklet ‘Specimen Aural Tests’ (which comes with a CD) – this is available online from the ABRSM or Music Room: https://www.musicroom.com/. I would also advise you to get the excellent & user-friendly ABRSM ‘Aural Trainer’ App (Gr 1-5 & Gr 6-8).
For full information I would recommend that you visit the ABRSM website, look at the pages and videos and do be sure to look at the various Apps & resources that are now available. I would recommend that you also sign up to their mailing list for updates: https://gb.abrsm.org/en/
ABRSM EXAM PREPARATION, DISCOVERING MUSIC – MORE ON ABRSM LEARNING APPS: As you prepare for your exam I do need to stress that should know all of your scales & arpeggios and have a comprehensive understanding of the required Aural tests before you apply to take your exam.
You will also need to have your pieces & study prepared to at least pass standard (at the beginning of term). This coming term should be for revising & refining as well as for looking closely at sight-reading skills.
Once again, I would draw your attention to the excellent ABRSM Learning Apps. These are fun to use, are user-friendly and really do assist with your practise & preparation routine.
You can find these in any App Store, certainly for iPhone, or be guided by the link on the ABRSM website - via their ‘Learning & Teaching’ pages.
Music Copyright: Remember also that there is a very strict rule regarding actual copies of music used for the exam. Original published editions must be used (and not photocopies). For all information relating to the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music & exam requirements please visit the ABRSM website.
HOW TO PROGRESS IN YOUR MUSIC STUDIES & EXPERIENCE OF MUSIC
(PLEASE READ WHEN YOU HAVE TIME)
Music is a very special Artform & such a powerful means to express. It is also great fun! - particularly within the wonderful experience of Ensemble playing, which should be the goal of every musician, whatever the age or standard.
Music is also Science (exploring Mathematical principles & logic). Therefore, to reach any standard of performance in music, there does need to be a commitment to Discipline & Application. Avoiding these, or compromising certain areas of study, will produce a superficial understanding of music and will most certainly have an effect on our level of performance.
Music is good for the whole being – mind, body & spirit.
Listen - attend Concerts (whenever possible), watch (there is so much available on BBC4, BBC2 & Sky Arts – as well as on You Tube, Apple Music, Spotify & other streaming sites). These days it is so easy for you to explore & to discover – for you to be inspired by what you find & motivated to discover your own unique place within this endless landscape of Music.
There are many excellent programmes to be found on BBC Radio 3, which you can also download or discover anytime on BBC Sounds. I highly recommend Jess Gillam’s ‘This Classical Life’, Michael Berkeley’s ‘Private Passions’ and Soweto Kinch’s ‘Round Midnight’. For more information go to BBC Sounds and be willing to explore yourself... there is so much more!
Do aim to set a program, a clear Practice Schedule with set objectives for each session. Don’t avoid the disciplines of Scales, Arpeggios, Sight-Reading and Aural – which I shall introduce to your lessons and include within your Practice Planner. These will underpin all that you do in music – reading, sight-reading & all performance skills, including improvisation. Work on the set Studies that I aim to include in your weekly lessons. These will offer diversity of style and playing skills.
Practice Planner: This should be in the form of a visible planner or diary, so that you are reminded and encouraged to keep on progressing. I would encourage you to bring a small diary with you to lessons, write down key points and also RECORD key moments/areas of your lesson so that you can listen back and use each of the objectives set and demonstrations given (by me) during the lesson and weave these into your private practice.
If you would like to record sections of your lesson, do please bring your device with you to your lesson. I can then assist you to set this up and advise how best to get a good quality recording.
If you do record the lesson (or sections of this) then you can share this too (with family & friends). You will love to listen back and hear how you have moved forward, week by week and month by month. So, bring something to record onto – most mobile phones have Voice Memos on them now. As a pupil I used to record my lessons onto a Cassette – back in the day! I still have some of these can you believe?
ABRSM MUSIC THEORY – More Information Music Theory is called the ‘Science of Music’: You will see (on your Invoice) that I have (in most cases) included Music Theory as part of your weekly lesson program. This is of course your decision, but you are invited to include Music Theory along with Practical instruction.
I believe this will greatly assist what you are discovering in your playing experience (as you learn & progress in the practical skills of Music). Alongside Music Theory I shall be introducing more attention & focus on Aural & Sight-Reading skills.
Music Theory is essential for those wishing to go beyond Grade 5 Practical exams (and aim to reach up to Grade 8 standard of performance). Music Theory also helps in many ways to gain a greater understanding of music & will certainly assist those preparing for GCSE & A level Music exams.
At present Music Theory Exams and Music ‘Performance’ Grade Exams are all Online and so it is best to look on the ABRSM Website for latest information and exam dates.
ABRSM JAZZ EXAMS: In addition to Music Theory you can also qualify, in order to proceed to Grades 6-8, by taking and passing the Jazz Grade 5 practical exam. For some of my pupils this is a preferred option, perhaps to speed up the process.
As a bonus, by following the ABRSM Jazz Exam program, you do get to learn the language of Jazz with it’s wonderful and diverse repertoire and also discover the world of improvisation. I am equally at home and well versed in both Classical & Jazz traditions (as teacher & performer) and so willing and very able to assist you.
David (SUMMER 2026)