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Grade 10 Piano
An Overview For The Parent

By this stage, your child is no longer a child. He or she is a young adult getting ready to make life decisions about their future. If they continue to wish that playing the piano is significant in their lives, they will be faced with many challenges. But at the same time as continuing their studies, they are more than ready to begin reaping the rewards of their many hard years of study and practise. This includes starting to perform professionally in public and even begin a teaching career. Theory will continue to be very important if they care to advance in any future music studies.

What Does It Mean To Be In A Grade Of Piano?
Earning a certain grade of piano means that a student has attained a certain level of technical prowess, expressiveness and musical knowledge in their playing. One organization that sets such standards is The Royal Conservatory of Music. The RCM is a respected institution of music here in Canada in existence for over a century. Over the years, they have created a grading system for a variety of instruments including the piano. Having Grades from 1 to 10, they have a Syllabus which lists the requirements needed to complete each grade. Of course, as a student completes each grade, they will notice the material gradually getting more difficult.

How Does A Student Complete A Grade Of Piano?
Many teachers have different systems of determining when a student is ready to go on to another grade. I have successfully used a set of requirements that when achieved, has seen my students master the various elements needed to move on to another grade. This includes being able to play a certain number of pieces from the graded repertoire, master a list of scales and related technique, and complete some finger exercises. If a student chooses to take an examination conducted by The Royal Conservatory of Music, they can do so at one of three times a year: January, June or August.

“I'm interested in teaching piano”…

The RCM offers three levels of Pedagogy Certificates: Elementary (grade 9), Intermediate (grade 10), and Advanced (ARCT). At the Grade 10 level, completion of the Intermediate Certificate would accredit you to teach students up to the Grade 6 level. This course of study would consist of the following:

• Part 1: a practical component featuring repertoire, technique and ear & sight, a standard practical exam. (January, June, or August)
• Part 2: Viva Voce, a practical/oral exam putting fundamental teaching principles into action. (January, June, or August)
• Part 3: Written Examination, involving more teaching principles. (May, August, December)

These three parts do not have to be completed all in one session. Pre-requisites for the Intermediate Certificate include the full completion of the Elementary Certificate and Grade 9 Piano.

Why Should A Student Take A Piano Exam?
Completing a piano exam and receiving a diploma is a great reward and symbol for all the accomplishments that the student has achieved over the years. It challenges the student to prepare very well for a specific objective; this elevates their playing. Completing Grade 7 and Grade 8 Piano Examinations can earn a student high school credits. And finally, participating in these exams can be a benefit when applying for a job, college, or university, either music related or not, in demonstrating one's character and work ethic.

Why Should A Student Take A Theory Exam?
Apart from the obvious reason that you need the co-requisite in order to gain your piano diploma, a separate study of theory helps the student better understand how their music is structured and why it looks the way it does. The result is that their playing ability increases because their comprehension level of music has been expanded.

Lesson Time: 1 1/2 Hour/Week Total - 1 hour per week for piano, 1/2 hour per week for theory

Books: To be supplied by the teacher. Parent will reimburse teacher at a later date.

By this advanced stage, you might be requested to purchase additional books of piano repertoire for your child when deemed important. It is crucial that at this stage, your child begin a collection of their own books to create a library.

Practise Time: minimum 2 hours a day for piano. 3 to 4 hours per week for theory study and homework.

How Do I Know What They Are Supposed To Practise?
Pieces or exercises that are to be practised will be listed in the student's notebook. Additionally, problem areas that need to be worked on by the student will also be noted.

How Do I Know What They Are Supposed To Study For Theory?
Theory that is to be completed or studied can be identified in 2 ways: by a theory timetable that the student will have which details the homework that should be completed on a weekly basis or by the page number circled and dated in their theory book.

Extras!

• Practise Chart: This keeps track of practise habits since the student has to check off a spot on the chart after they practise. Students are rewarded with stars for their weekly effort. When they complete this grade, they are given a special prize for their hard work!
• Listen & Watch: Students will be given the opportunity to borrow recordings that will enrich their understanding and love for music.
• Ear Training & Sight Reading: Exercises to develop a student's ear, these activities will be conducted occasionally within the lesson.
• Composition: Using a step by step approach to help nurture musical ideas and learn how to map them out on paper. Additional book(s) may be required.
• Extra Pieces: Students will have an opportunity to pick extra pieces to play which they enjoy and are of their level of difficulty.
• Recitals: Held twice a year (early December & early June) for family & friends, these performances encourage students to prepare a piece (or pieces) in great detail and by memory.
• Masterclass: At this informal gathering, held twice a year, a week before the Recital, students play their pieces for each other, make comments, and ask questions. Often, students feel uncomfortable and nervous playing in front of others. The Masterclass is an excellent way for the student to try out their piece(s) in front of their peers in a less stressed atmosphere.
• Festival: A festival is a music competition where young musicians gather and perform for a small audience and an adjudicator. Like the recital, a festival can encourage students to prepare a piece (or pieces) in great detail and by memory which greatly improves their playing ability. Two festivals that I often suggest that my students perform in are Contemporary Showcase in late November and the Davenport Festival of Music in April. Both these events offer a very relaxed and intimate atmosphere.
• Duets: Duets & Ensembles: One of the many joys of playing the piano is to play with other musicians. Frank welcomes the opportunity to coach students in their duet, accompanying, or band projects.
• ORMTA Auditions: ORMTA stands for the Ontario Registered Music Teachers' Association. This group organizes auditions where students develop their performance skills and receive helpful adjudication. If a student delivers a particularly fine audition, they will be invited to perform at a Recital and qualify to win a Scholarship.
• Mock Examination: A student is given an opportunity to see how well they have completed the requirements for a specific grade. Conducted by Frank one month before the actual exam, this will be useful for a student in their exam preparation.

In The Future...
If your child does not plan a career in music and is very busy with higher schooling, they might want to consider this as their last Grade of piano. But if they feel that music is a viable career option for them or proceeding to another level would be very self-fulfilling, they can move on to the ARCT level of study; either focussing on Performer's elements or Teacher's elements.

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