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Today’s video covers the ABRSM’s grade 2 piano technique requirements. This includes scales and triads, solid and broken. I’ll be playing with the metronome in this video at the MINIMUM required speeds (feel free to go a little faster), and will label each technique on the screen as I play them.
I’ve also done the RCM equivalent of this video, which you can check out here.

For more information on these technical exercises, check out the ABRSM grade 2 syllabus.

Grade 2 piano technique: Major Scales

G major scale, hands together AND separate, 2 octaves, tempo 66 BPM, played in 8th notes
D major scale, hands together AND separate, 2 octaves, tempo 66 BPM, played in 8th notes
A major scale, hands together AND separate, 2 octaves, tempo 66 BPM, played in 8th notes
F major scale, hands together AND separate, 2 octaves, tempo 66 BPM, played in 8th notes

Natural minor scales

E natural minor scale, hands together AND separate, 2 octaves, tempo 66 BPM, played in 8th notes
D natural minor scale, hands together AND separate, 2 octaves, tempo 66 BPM, played in 8th notes
G natural minor scale, hands together AND separate, 2 octaves, tempo 66 BPM, played in 8th notes

Harmonic Minor Scales

E harmonic minor scale, hands together AND separate, 2 octaves, tempo 66 BPM, played in 8th notes
D harmonic minor scale, hands together AND separate, 2 octaves, tempo 66 BPM, played in 8th notes
G harmonic minor scale, hands together AND separate, 2 octaves, tempo 66 BPM, played in 8th notes

Melodic Minor Scales

E melodic minor scale, hands together AND separate, 2 octaves, tempo 66 BPM, played in 8th notes
D melodic minor scale, hands together AND separate, 2 octaves, tempo 66 BPM, played in 8th notes
G melodic minor scale, hands together AND separate, 2 octaves, tempo 66 BPM, played in 8th notes

Other Scales

C contrary motion scale, hands beginning on the key-note (unison), 2 octaves, tempo 66 BPM, played in 8th notes
E contrary motion scale, hands beginning on the key-note (unison), 2 octaves, tempo 66 BPM, played in 8th notes
Chromatic scale beginning on D, hands separately, 1 octave, tempo 66 BPM, played in 8th notes

Arpeggios, major

G major arpeggio, hands separately, 2 octaves, tempo 63 BPM, played in 8th notes
D major arpeggio, hands separately, 2 octaves, tempo 63 BPM, played in 8th notes
A major arpeggio, hands separately, 2 octaves, tempo 63 BPM, played in 8th notes

Arpeggios, minor

D minor arpeggio, hands separately, 2 octaves, tempo 63 BPM, played in 8th notes
G minor arpeggio, hands separately, 2 octaves, tempo 63 BPM, played in 8th notes

Broken (4-note) Chords

F major broken chord, hands separately, 2 octaves, tempo 63 BPM, played in 8th notes
E minor broken chord, hands separately, 2 octaves, tempo 63 BPM, played in 8th notes

Conclusion

And that’s all there is to it! Once you’ve learned these various technical requirements for grade 2, 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

Grade 2 piano books

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Piano Exam Pieces 2017 & 2018, Grade 2
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.9781848498747).
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Piano Scales, Arpeggios & Broken Chords, Grade 2
Studies, ABRSM Exams. ABRSM Scales & Arpeggios. Education. Method book. 8 pages. Published by ABRSM (Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music) (PE.9781860969140).
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Piano Specimen Sight-Reading Tests, Grade 2
Studies, ABRSM Exams. ABRSM Sight-reading. Education. Collection. 16 pages. Published by ABRSM (Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music) (PE.9781860969065).
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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).
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Specimen Aural Tests, Grades 1-3
New edition from 2011. Specimen Aural Tests (ABRSM). Education. Method book. 44 pages. Published by ABRSM (Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music) (PE.9781848492516).