ABRSM: Grade 1 Piano Technique Requirements
Today’s video covers the ABRSM’s grade 1 piano technique requirements. This includes scales and triads. I’ll be playing with the metronome in this video slightly above the minimum required speeds (feel free to go a little faster), and will label each technique on the screen as I play them.
If you’re into the RCM instead of the ABRSM, definitely check out this video on grade 1 piano technique.
For more information on these technical exercises, check out the ABRSM Grade 1 Syllabus.
Grade 1 piano technique: Major Scales
Left hand can be played descending and then ascending, if you want
C major scale, hands separate, 2 octaves, tempo 60 BPM (video is 65 BPM), played in 8th notes
G major scale, hands separate, 2 octaves, tempo 60 BPM (video is 65 BPM), played in 8th notes
D major scale, hands separate, 2 octaves, tempo 60 BPM (video is 65 BPM), played in 8th notes
F major scale, hands separate, 2 octaves, tempo 60 BPM (video is 65 BPM), played in 8th notes
Natural Minor Scales
Choose 1 type of minor scale for exam: Natural minor, harmonic minor or melodic minor. Video includes both natural and harmonic minor scales.
A natural minor scale, 2 octaves, tempo 60 BPM (video is 65 BPM), played in 8th notes
D natural minor scale, 2 octaves, tempo 60 BPM (video is 65 BPM), played in 8th notes
Harmonic Minor Scales
A harmonic minor scale, 2 octaves, tempo 60 BPM (video is 65 BPM), played in 8th notes
D harmonic minor scale, 2 octaves, tempo 60 BPM (video is 65 BPM), played in 8th notes
Other Scales
C contrary motion scale, 1 octave hands together, tempo 60 BPM (video is 65 BPM), played in 8th notes
Broken Triads, major
C Tonic triad broken, hands separate 1 octave, 46 BPM (video is 50 BPM), played in 8th note triplets
G tonic triad broken, hands separate 1 octave, 46 BPM (video is 50 BPM), played in 8th note triplets
F tonic triad broken, hands separate 1 octave, 46 BPM (video is 50 BPM), played in 8th note triplets
Tonic Triads, minor
A minor tonic triad broken, hands separate 1 octave, 46 BPM (video is 50 BPM), played in 8th note triplets
D minor tonic triad broken, hands separate 1 octave, 46 BPM (video is 50 BPM), played in 8th note triplets
Conclusion
And that’s all there is to it! Once you’ve learned these various technical requirements for grade 1, I recommend playing along with the video to make sure your tempo and notes are correct. Sometimes when I work on my technique I use the metronome, and sometimes I don’t – there’s no need to rely on it too heavily.
Enjoy! 🙂
xo,
Allysia
ABRSM grade 1 books
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Piano Exam Pieces 2017 & 2018, ABRSM Grade 1 Selected from the 2017 & 2018 syllabus. Composed by Richard Jones. ABRSM Exam Pieces. Book only. 12 pages. Published by ABRSM (Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music) (PE.9781848498730). |
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Piano Scales & Broken Chords, Grade 1 Studies, ABRSM Exams. ABRSM Scales & Arpeggios. Education. Method book. 8 pages. Published by ABRSM (Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music) (PE.9781860969133). |
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Piano Specimen Sight-Reading Tests, Grade 1 Studies, ABRSM Exams. ABRSM Sight-reading. Education. Collection. 12 pages. Published by ABRSM (Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music) (PE.9781860969058). |
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Specimen Aural Tests, Grade 6 New edition from 2011. Specimen Aural Tests (ABRSM). Education. Method book. 32 pages. Published by ABRSM (Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music) (PE.9781848492530). |
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Specimen Aural Tests, Grades 1-3 with 2 CDs New edition from 2011. Collection. Specimen Aural Tests (ABRSM). Education. Book and 2 CDs. 44 pages. Published by ABRSM (Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music) (PE.9781848492561). |
[…] I’ also published a similar video, the ABRSM equivalent of grade 1 piano technique – here it is! […]