What is Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music?
The '''Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music''' or '''ABRSM''' is an organisation that arranges [[music]] [[examination]]s. The organisation is based in [[London]], but they arrange examinations in places all over the world. Many people, especially children, who learn instruments take examinations of the ABRSM as it helps them to become better players because it gives them something to work for. People of any age can take the exams. Those who pass an exam get a certificate. Over 620,000 candidates take the ABRSM examinations every year in over ninety countries. The organisation is called “Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music” because it is organised by a group of four music [[conservatoire]]s: *[[Royal Academy of Music]] *[[Royal College of Music]] *[[Royal Conservatoire of Scotland]] *[[Royal Northern College of Music]] ==Graded Exams== Exams can be taken on many different instruments. In nearly each case there are eight grades, numbered from 1 to 8. For example, someone who has learned the piano for a short while may take Grade 1 once he or she can play pieces such as a simple [[minuet]], and play a few [[scale (music)|scales]] with separate hands. By the time they take Grade 8 they will need to be able to play movements from [[sonata]]s by composers such as [[Beethoven]], play all 24 scales in various ways very fluently and be good at [[sight-reading]]. The marks are given out of 150. The pass mark is hundred. Below hundred marks is a “Fail”. one hundred and twenty marks to one hundred and twenty nine is called a “Merit” and one hundred and thirty and above is a “Distinction”. Although some students take each of the grades as they get better at their instrument, it is not necessary to have passed earlier grades in order to take a higher grade. For grades 6 and above it is necessary to have passed Grade 5 Theory or Practical Musicianship or Jazz. This is to make sure that students have a good knowledge of music. The examiners are people who are professional [[musician]]s