ABRSM: Grade 2 Piano Technique Requirements

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