Treble Recorder scale syllabus (proposals: May 2015) ABRSM Woodwind Review All requirements are to be played from the lowest tonic/starting note and in even notes. Minor scales are to be prepared as follows: Grades 1 & 2: natural or harmonic or melodic Grades 3 5: harmonic or melodic Grades 6 8: harmonic and melodic Examples are given on pp. 7 8 to clarify certain patterns/ranges found in this syllabus. GRADE 1 F, Bb majors; G minor Grade 1: In contrast to the current syllabus s three major keys, one minor key is now proposed, for parity with the other Woodwind subjects. (NB the syllabus offers the option of the natural minor, in this grade and also Grade 2.) The two major keys are as in current syllabus. Highest note: Bb. GRADE 2 G major; G, D minors Bb major F major and down to the dominant Grade 2: The three ranges of the current syllabus are retained (with two changes of key). Highest note: D. 2014 by ABRSM Woodwind Review (Treble Recorder) 1
GRADE 3 Bb, C majors; D minor and down to the dominant F, G majors; G, A minors Chromatic scale starting on C Grade 3: One change proposed to the current requirements: chromatic scale starting on C (rather than G). Highest note: E. GRADE 4 Eb major; C minor Bb, D majors; D minor and down to the dominant F, G majors; G, A minors Chromatic scale starting on G Dominant seventh (resolving on tonic) in the key of F Grade 4: Introduction of dominant seventh, as in current syllabus. In line with recent changes to other ABRSM syllabuses, dominant sevenths now to resolve on tonic (rather than ending on dominant) to illustrate the harmonic context. Highest note: E. 2014 by ABRSM Woodwind Review (Treble Recorder) 2
GRADE 5 Db, Eb majors; C, E minors Ab, A majors; F#, G, D minors F major Chromatic scales starting on E starting on F Dominant sevenths (resolving on tonic) in the key of G in the key of Bb Diminished seventh starting on C and down to the dominant Grade 5: Three fewer scale and arpeggio keys than in current syllabus and one newly-proposed key (F# minor). The to ' range is employed among the dominant sevenths, replacing the current 2-octave example. Introduction of diminished seventh, as in current syllabus, but 1 octave only. Consequently, F major scale and arpeggio become this grade s only 2-octave requirements. Highest note: F. GRADE 6 B, Db majors; B, C# minors and down to the dominant G, A, C majors; G, A, C minors Chromatic scales starting on B and C# starting on A Dominant sevenths (resolving on tonic) in the keys of E and F# in the key of D Diminished sevenths starting on B and C# starting on A Scale in thirds F major Grade 6: For scales and arpeggios, five major-minor pairs are proposed, from which three are employed as the starting notes for the chromatic scales, dominant and diminished sevenths i.e. a tonal centre approach. As a result of this approach and a new distribution of keys across the final three grades, 2-octave requirements no longer appear in this grade (nor in Grade 7). Because of this and the reduction in the number of scales and arpeggios in this grade, a scale in thirds (1 octave) is proposed as a further pattern. Highest note: G. 2014 by ABRSM Woodwind Review (Treble Recorder) 3
GRADE 7 legato-tongued, staccato and slurred D, Eb majors; D, Eb minors and down to the dominant F#, G, Ab majors; F#, G, G# minors Chromatic scales starting on D and Eb starting on F# and G Dominant sevenths (resolving on tonic) in the keys of G and Ab in the keys of B and C Diminished sevenths starting on D and Eb starting on F# and G Scale in thirds C major Extended-range scale Bb major Grade 7: As in Grade 6, five tonal centres are proposed, from which four are employed as the starting notes for the chromatic scales, dominant and diminished sevenths. In compensation for the removal of the all-keys emphasis of the current Grade 7, a requirement new to the syllabus an extended-range scale is added, for a wider exploration and consolidation of the instrument s compass. This is complemented by a scale in thirds. Highest note: G. 2014 by ABRSM Woodwind Review (Treble Recorder) 4
GRADE 8 legato-tongued, staccato and slurred E major; E minor and down to the dominant A, Bb majors; G#, A, Bb minors F, Ab majors; F minor Chromatic scales starting on E starting on G#, A and Bb starting on F Dominant sevenths (resolving on tonic) in the key of A in the keys of C#, D and Eb in the key of Bb Diminished sevenths starting on E starting on G#, A and Bb starting on F Scales in thirds D major G major Extended-range scales and arpeggios Eb major and D harmonic minor Grade 8 requirements continue on p. 6 2014 by ABRSM Woodwind Review (Treble Recorder) 5
GRADE 8 (cont.) Whole-tone scales starting on Db starting on G Grade 8: As in Grades 6 and 7, five tonal centres are proposed, all of which are employed in this grade as the starting notes for the chromatic scales, dominant and diminished sevenths. Further exploration of the upper reaches of the instrument, including several 2-octave requirements. All keys have now been covered at least once in Grades 6 8. In compensation for the removal of the all-keys requirement of the current Grade 8, two examples of whole-tone scales are included one more than in the current syllabus alongside further examples of scales in thirds and extended-range scales (now with their arpeggios). Highest note: Ab. 2014 by ABRSM Woodwind Review (Treble Recorder) 6
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