ABRSM Grade 8 Snare Drum

General Info

• Candidates must play at least one piece for multiple percussion.
• All pieces and studies should be played with the snares on unless marked otherwise in the music.
• Candidates must choose three pieces from the repertoire list, including at least one piece marked with #.
• Up to two pieces by the same composer may be played.
• Candidates must play the upper part when pieces that are published as duets.
• Candidates must provide their own accompanist(s).
• Pieces accompanied by percussion must be played on a separate instrument from the candidates'.

Song List

Item	Works	Composer	Publication	Publisher	Instrumentation	Video
1	Fox Trot and Fandango	Warren Benson	Three Dances for Solo Snare Drum	Hal Leonard	Snare Drum Only
2	Dances for Five Drums	Jan Bradley	Dances for Five Drums	Jan Bradley	3 Tom-toms & Bongos
3	Engine Room	James Campbell	Engine Room	Row-Loff Productions	Bongos & Tom-toms & Bass Drum & Headless Tambourine & Jam Block & Cowbell & Suspended Cymbal
4	Popeye	Stacey Duggan	Just Desserts	Row-Loff Productions	Optional Aerial Flip
5	It's About Time	Michael Lynch	Just Desserts	Row-Loff Productions	Optional Visual Enhancement
6	Movement 2	Guy Gauthreaux II	American Suite for Unaccompanied Snare Drum	Meredith Music Publications	Snare Drum Only
7	Pontiac	Anthony Kerr	ABRSM Principal Percussion	Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music	Piano Accompanied
8	Cave Dance	Glenn Kotche	Cave Dance	Alfred Music	Foot Pedal Instrument (Bass Drum or Cowbell etc.)
9	Gorymdaith	Alex Neal	Gorymdaith	Southern Percussion	Tenor Drum & Pedal Bass Drum
10	Antrieb	Cameron Sinclair	Antrieb	Scottish Music Centre	Snare Drum Only

Technical Requirements

Studies are important way to develop technical skills such as stick control, balance between hands, fluency and articulation. They also help to develop tone, pulse and dynamic control, and familiarity with rudimental patterns. This leads to greater confidence and security when sight-reading, learning new pieces and performing - from a score or from memory, as a solo musician or with others.
About the test: Candidates prepare two studies at each grade and examiners will request which one is to be played in the exam. Each Study is based on a set of rudiments; these are listed on the sheet music.
Instrument: The test must be played with the snares on
Publications: Percussion Studies, ABRSM Grades 6-8
Content: Study A & Study B
Memory: There is no requirement to play the Study from memory.
Sticking: Candidates may use any sticking that produces a successful musical outcome.
Demonstration Video:

Sight Reading

Sight-reading is a valuable skill with many benefits. Learning to sight-read helps to develop quick recognition of common rhythm patterns and tonality. Strong Sight-reading skills make learning new pieces quicker and easier, and also help when making music with others, so that playing in an ensemble becomes more rewarding and enjoyable.

About the Test

Candidates will be asked to play a short unaccompanied piece of music which they have not seen before. They will be giving half a minute to look through and, if they wish, try out all or any part of the test before they are asked to play it for assessment.

Supporting Publications

For practice purposes, sample Sight-reading tests are published by Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music in Percussion Sight-Reading Grades 6-8. Purchasing the book is not a requirement.

Aural Test

Listening lies at the heart of music-making and the ability to hear how music works helps with all aspects of musical development. Aural skills help with gauging the sound and balance of playing, keeping in time and playing with sense of rhythm and pulse. These skills also help to develop a sense of pitch, musical memory and the ability to spot mistakes.

About the Test

1. To sing or play from memory the lower part of a two-part phrase played twice by the examiner.
2. To sing the upper part of a two-part phrase from score, with the lower part played by the examiner.
3. To identify the modulation at the end of two different passage.
4. To describe the characteristic features of a piece played by the examiner.

Supporting Publications

For practice purpose, sample Aural tests are published by Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music. Examples of the tests are given in Specimen Aural Tests and Aural Training in Practice. Purchasing these books is not a requirement.